A Practice Round with a Camera
A day at The Biltmore with the Broken Tee Society bag
I’ve always felt like I worked so I could play golf. Work meant money, and money meant time and energy to spend on the course. That was my joy as a kid, going out and trying to get better. For a multitude of reasons, I never got good enough to play in college or pursue competitive golf. But I always loved it. And the pursuit of getting better at something, anything, has always been a driving force in my life.
This week I practiced photography, a passion I’ve invested in over the past 12 years. No driving range, but I worked on shots. I didn’t check the wind, I looked at the light. I didn’t read greens, I read composition, angles and the rule of thirds as I placed a little lux bag from the Broken Tee Society into frame around The Biltmore.
Front Nine
I didn’t come with a plan. I just knew I wanted to bring the bag and a couple issues of The Golfer’s Journal and capture them around the resort. I thought Fontana, the restaurant in the outdoor atrium, might offer a genuine working lunch feel. I figured Fairways, the restaurant by the course, would give me some interesting, sensible shots. And the iconic grand lobby would show off the classic elegance of the resort, well suited for the bag. So I wandered and explored the nooks and crannies, and stopped at the fountains near the ballroom for a Euro lux feel that could have passed for a Prada shoot.
The Turn
Then I struggled. It was getting hot, the light was getting harsh and I needed food. It felt like making the turn. I knew I had more to go, but I could have called it a day.
So I sat in Fairways, took a work call and let my subconscious work out a plan: a grand view of The Biltmore in the background. I’d go somewhere quiet, where guests and golfers wouldn’t be bothered, or whispering to their partners about what the heck this guy was doing crouched down photographing a shoulder bag and some magazines.
Back Nine
I ventured over to the short game area, a place I’ve taken the turf out of many times, and found a spot. I needed a prop. Leaning against the bathroom and office hut, of all things, was a beat up, rickety golf bag stand. A few rusty nails, nearly broken, covered in white ants. For a Broken Tee Society shoot, it felt just right.
I kicked and jarred it open, knocked off as many ants as I could and waited for the rest to scramble off or into the wood. Then I found my angle. The shot that made me feel good. The one I’ll remember. Just like in golf, it’s the shot that convinces you that you can do this. That you are a golfer. That you are a photographer. That yes, you are, and you can. It’s the one that brings you back.
Golf and photography reward the same things: focus, patience, practice, sticking with it.
With renewed energy, I got a few more by the tennis courts, then had the idea to grab some at the bag drop. A bonus finishing shot as I set course for home.
The only thing I’m remiss about is not getting a few well placed broken tees somewhere in a shot. Other than that, it was a pretty good go around.
Next time, I’ll leave the camera at home and work on the golf game.
