Gregory Brian Walters
Gregory Brian Walters is a Physician Assistant in Orthopedic surgery. Gregory has been employed at the Medical Center Clinic in Pensacola FL for 19 years. Greg is board certified with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Gregory is a devout Christian and a very involved father to his two sons. Both boys are outstanding baseball players, they train locally with several professionals weekly. He enjoys golf, paddleboard, and cycling.
What is your hobby?
Out of the three I mentioned my favorite would have to be golf.
How did you get started with this hobby?
In college with fellow students. While in PA school I began to play golf with fellow students to relax and unwind. PA school was very demanding from a didactic standpoint. Golf and relaxing with friends was a good escape. We generally tried to get together at least once a month for a round of golf.
Tell us what you love about your hobby.
What I love most about golf is the fact that it is very challenging and rewarding. Golf is a very humbling sport. Regardless of how good you are at other sports or activities, golf will humble you. It is a very difficult sport to master. It requires a lot of practice and if you are willing to spend time practicing it will reward you. Those that play the game are brought back to the course or driving range by the good shots they hit. There is great satisfaction in hitting good shots.
What types of things/equipment have you spent money on for your hobby?
Obviously, I have spent a lot of money on golf clubs and greens fees. In my opinion, if you are interested in golf you should spend your money on golf lessons from a professional and practice at a driving range. If you learn to swing the golf club correctly, you can literally swing any club. Naturally, the better you get, the nicer equipment you are going to want to use.
What are some of your favorite places to shop for your hobby?
I generally buy most of my golf equipment on Amazon simply because it is convenient. Edwin Watts is also a great local source for advice and equipment.
How much money have you invested into this? How much would a beginner have to invest to get started?
Over the years I have invested thousands of dollars in golf. This includes lessons, clubs, gloves, tees, golf balls, practice at the driving range, and lessons. In my personal opinion, the most important of these would be lessons. I struggled with golf for years and decided some time ago to take lessons. I took weekly lessons for about 9 months and it totally transformed my golf game and swing. During this time, I practiced at the driving range twice a week to continue my progression.
Are there any good books for beginners?
While it is a bit of an older book, it has aged well. Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf Paperback came out in 1985, but it is concerned a classic and covers all the basics.
Are there any online videos you recommend to help beginners?
I can’t think of any particular videos at the moment, but there is a channel on YouTube called Rick Shiels Golf that posts all kinds of videos about golfing, ranging from tips, training, and reviewing products.
How has your hobby changed your life?
Golf has allowed me to spend quality time with family and friends. It has also provided great satisfaction by helping others learn. I have received great satisfaction in passing on knowledge to family and friends helping them with their swing. It is extremely rewarding to watch others progress the same way as I experienced.
What advice do you have for others starting out with this hobby?
The best advice I can give anyone who is either wanting to learn or advance their golf skills is to take lessons. Lessons from a professional and regular practice are the absolute best investment. I also advise those that are learning is to not get frustrated. When frustration sets in, the typical response is to swing harder and faster. These are the worst things you can do. You do not swing faster to hit the ball further. Golf is about tempo. You must have a smooth tempo. Once you learn to swing the club correctly, then you can begin to increase your rotation which will increase distance.
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