Law Vibe

From Hastings-I: 

I admit it, I’m a golf nut. I have subscriptions to Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, a couple sweater vests, and I spend far too much time on sunny days (and rainy ones) thinking about how I can turn my slice into a Vijay power fade when I should be proofreading my Moot Court brief. But I am hooked, and I don’t see finding a cure for my golf disease any time soon. So why fight it?

When I took the plunge and enrolled at Hastings, I figured my golfing days would be few and far between. And, while certainly they are not as numerous as they were before school started, I still find time to get out and play. It may take a little bit of creativity, and certainly some resources, but it’s not impossible to keep your handicap respectable and still manage to get a job when you graduate.

Things you can’t avoid

You need a car, or know someone with a car who plays or will let you borrow their ride. Unless you’re willing to take your sticks on Muni and spend an hour on the bus as you wonder just what that smell really is, you need a car. Throw the clubs in the trunk, grab a fellow golf buddy, and get out there.

Oh, yeah, clubs. While most courses will have rentals available, don’t bother if you’re on loans. Golf is expensive enough to add the cost of rentals on top of a round. Ebay and Craigslist are great sources for finding inexpensive sets of clubs. (Check back soon for tips on equipment) You can get inexpensive starter clubs, or a nice set of used clubs for a couple hundred bucks, and you’re ready to go.

A little bit of dough. The PGA is trying to start kids young, but the fact is that you still can’t really play for super cheap around here. There are exceptions, but expect to fork out at least 25-30 bucks minimum per round to play 18…less for 9.

I have to study, how can I still play?

Admittedly, I’ve probably lost a bit of study time, but mostly due to my laziness after golf, not due to the 4 hours or so I spend on the course. Here are some tips.

Play 9

Easiest solution for time concerns, but for me the hardest to do. Usually I just want to play 18, so I just suck it up and play the full round. Good way around this is go in the evening when it’s twilight rates, and therefore closer to dark and you can’t be tempted to play all 18. Standard time for a round is 4 and a half hours…2 hours and 15 minutes per 9 holes. BUT, if you play at the right, or wrong time, or at the wrong place, that number can go significantly up or down. Check your schedule, and find out if you can budget the time, and then don’t delay, get out there.

Lose sleep

Certainly the toughest on you physically, but surprisingly rewarding. Example 1: Tee off at 6:40am at Presidio, finish by about 11:00, buddy drops me off at class at 11:30, I’m all set. Yes, setting the alarm for 6am is painful, but you’ll find that you feel like you really accomplished something that day as your fellow students all stumble into class after sleeping in, and you’ve already played 18. Tip: Bring deodorant and change of shirt in your golf bag, since you may not have time for a shower.

For the truly insane (me), be the first one out on the course and you get a shockingly unique golf experience. If you are the first one at the starter’s table, usually 5:30-5:40 (just after first light), you can get out on the course with nobody in front of you, and can wiz through. Usually one and a half hours if you truly are out there first. There may be a little slow down on the back 9 since they let people tee off on the back side. Nonetheless, it’s not strange to finish 18 holes in a bit over 3 hours…in time for your 9:30 class! (Note: This is not really possible if you live in the East Bay, and have to deal with BART or traffic. 10:40 or 11:40 Class? Go for it)

Be creative, but stick to your plan

If you really want to play, don’t let silly things get in your way. You can work it out if you really want. Golf isn’t like going for a jog, though, it takes more planning. But if you can squeeze in a few hours between study sessions, go for it. I’m sure that I won’t plan my classes around golf, but don’t think I don’t notice when my day ends early or starts late…that’s GOLF TIME!

At the same time, if you know you have to spend one day studying on the weekend, make sure you do that. School is your priority. Spend a full day Sunday getting work done, and you’ll feel fine about your Saturday golf outing. Spend Sunday lounging, or out of the course again, and you’ll regret it on Monday morning when you’re on call.

Go to the range

Not nearly as satisfying as playing, but is usually enough to calm your golf addiction temporarily. Best part about the range is that you can convince your law school friends to go with you, even if they don’t play golf. It’s a great law school outing for all. I have a few female friends who go with their boyfriends, and may swing the club a bit, but are really there more for the beers afterward and the fun of hanging out. Us guys consider this quality time with our significant others. (Note: Not all girlfriends will credit you with quality time for hitting balls, guys, so be careful. If your partner does, marry her, now!)

19th Hole

So, remember, stick to your plans and get out there. Budget your time well and you will be surprised at how often you can find your way out to play.