I’m on about 20 years now, started in the 7th grade, played on the HS team, played everyday during the warm months when I was old enough to drive myself. Our whole team got youth memberships to a small private course, we all played daily. During the season, we practiced at our home course, then got in a car and drove to the other course and played more. We had a very talented group, of which I was the least gifted, our entire team qualified for the State individual tournament, we were undefeated for the last 2 years I was there and they went on to do it again the year after I graduated. I was truly the 4th guy on the team and averaging ~3 over par per 9 holes. For most of the competition we faced, our 4-6 guys were as good or better than their number 1, it was awesome to be a part of.
I got into the club building aspect of it all and enjoyed it for years. It all started with a KZG PFT 300, after playing it once, 3 other guys on the team got one, that was the first real jump in forgiveness and distance I found with clubs. The first hole I hit it on was a ~295 yard par 4, I had never been closer than 25-30 yards from the green, I wound up on the edge of the water hazard behind the green after scaring the shit out of the guys putting (blind drive, out of a gully to a flat fairway) that shot sold the pro shop owner 3 drivers that day and probably more. The whole course was flooded with them in every color shortly thereafter. I had the candy apple red and AJ Tech shaft in it to match, so beautiful. that’s when I realized the advantages of better fitting equipment.
Now that life caught up with me, I play a handful of times a year. I still enjoy it, but find it frustrating knowing what I could do vs reality now. I have to just let it go and remember I don’t play or practice enough to care anymore. Every now and again I can sneak into the 30s for 9 holes and usually shoot around an 85 or so, it is what it is.