Synopsis: Invited by he and his family, you go golfing with Tom
You were sat at the dinner table among the Holland family members. Having met the twins, Harry and Sam through friends, and having had brief interactions with Tom, the eldest- You were invited as more or less a family friend. At least, the boys’ parents were interested in you, and in the exchanges you’d had with the boys through work and mutual connections. Plus, you thought you were a relatively pleasing house guest. Nothing abnormal about it, you thought.
“You play any golf Y/n?” Harry asked you, amidst the dinner conversations.
The rest of the boys’ heads snapped up at the question posed by Harry, most of the bunch being avid golfers and all.
“Well, sort of. But I’m nowhere up to the boys’ level.” You said with a laugh.
“You should join us for a round Y/n, we’re having a go at the nearby course tomorrow,” Tom said with a smile.
“Yeah, just a casual one, for extra practice.” Sam chimed in.
“I really couldn’t. Can’t even remember the last time I held a club - I’d have to practice in advance to get remotely close to being able to play you all.”
“Nonsense,” said Dom, “We’d love to have you join- and you wouldn’t even have to play if you’re not up for it. You can just have a few hits at the range down there, If you’d like.”
Finding it difficult to say no, and feeling Tom’s gaze held on you, you impulsively agreed to join.
This brought you to where you were now- driving mid afternoon on a Sunday, having just been to a sports store trying to pick up an appropriate looking golf outfit that fit the course’s, ‘formal attire requirement.’ Along with purchasing various balls and tees. Thankfully though, you hand a spare set of clubs at home.
Upon arriving, you met the boys in cheerful spirits, clad in their golf attire. Prepped and ready for play. So, you and the Holland clan got out on the green quickly. First hole, and your driver shot was unmistakably crap. You were glad the boys hadn’t winced at the horrible shot. You tried to play off the embarrassment with conversation between hits when being driven in the cart. The boys had 2 carts out. You sat alongside Harry and Sam in one. Tom in the other with their dad.
1st shot on the second hole though, and it was equally as bad as your previous. But luckily, the boys were distracted and missed the poorly executed swing. Finally after arriving at the beginning of the third hole, however, you stepped up to the tee, and hesitated.
“Listen guys, I think I’ll step out on this one- maybe head back, or tag along for the rest, but I think I’m out on playing. Don’t want to hold you guys back,” you said with a light chuckle. You definitely had the highest score of the bunch, and you were aware that the boys were just being polite, waiting for you to hit your past chipping shots and putts, as you were moving at a slower speed than the rest of them. Then again, they could practically be pros.
“You’re not holding us back, this is all good fun, so there’s no worries if you do continue. Otherwise, one of the boys can step out of the game and join you up in the cart, to go back to the front.” Dom said, looking to his sons. The twins made no effort to offer, which was fair, as they were in front with the lowest scores. But, to your surprise, Tom offered.
“I’d be happy to, I’ve been playing a shit game anyway,” Tom said with a laugh, placing his club back in his bag and hoisting it on his shoulder, “Only, I’d be willing to play with you on the rest of the holes for practice, If you’d be up for it. I’d... I’d Like to help improve your game.”
“Yeah, I think with some slight improvements to that swing of yours, you could be looking decent.”
You scoffed, “You sure? I don’t think you’ve noticed, but if you continue on with just me, you’ll be here for another few hours.”
“Time well spent.” Tom said with a smile.
The rest of the boys wished you well as they drove off to continue playing, leaving you and Tom with the remaining cart.
“Right well, you have a go first.”
“Alright,” you said, fishing through your bag for a wood club.
Interrupting as you removed one from it’s bag, Tom said, “Er- hold on, let me check.”
He too dug through your clubs before picking another one- “I reckon this one here’s a good fit,” he said, handing it to you.
“Ok then, I trust you,” You said, stepping up to the tee, “you got any other tips Holland?”
“Maybe. Give me a practice swing and we’ll take it from there,” he said, stepping back from your side.
You did as you were told, and Tom kindly gave you his input.
“Right well- this arm,” he said motioning to his own, “you’ve gotta keep that straight even on impact, no getting flimsy elbows before making contact with the ball there.”
You were trying to correct yourself, copying his directions, but upon your confusion, Tom walked up behind you to help demonstrate. “Okay so this arm,” he started, his hands gripping both of your own from behind, “You’ve gotta keep it like this through your back swing,” he said, drawing your arms back behind your shoulder. You couldn’t help but loose brief focus as he gave his directions soft spoken from behind.
He stepped back to examine your practice swing, “right that looks better, but uh- may I.”
“Right, so-“ he placed his hands on either side of your hips “-you wanna kind of turn your body this direction, and move the opposite knee forward as you do.” You did just as you were told.
After the few tips, and Tom was satisfied with your practice technique and form, you took the swing, proving to have a much better result.
“See? That’s so much better! Your swing will be looking like Tiger Woods’ in no time, I bet it,”
You laughed, “All thanks to you Coach.”
Next, Tom stepped up to take his own swing. You watched, and to no surprise his form was practically perfect, landing him a nice spot on the green. You complimented his swing as the two of you hopped in the cart to head over to the next ball.
You drove the cart, and the cart rides throughout the day gave the two of you an opportunity to talk. Also, on each hole Tom continued to give you tips. You admired that he was so patient, and never got frustrated with you, or exasperated if you didn’t happen to pick up his directions quickly. He claimed you significantly improved by the end of the day. Surely enough though, by the time you got out of the course, the rest of the Holland’s had left, and it was practically dark.
The two of you carried your clubs to the car park, utterly exhausted. What was meant to be casual, fun and quick, felt as if it were never-ending.
“You got a ride Tom? You asked.
“Shit, well- no, really. Harry and Sam must have taken my car back to our shared apartment,”
“I’m happy to drop you off- least I can do. You practically gave me lessons for free today, forfeited your game too.”
“Nah, It was good fun, and I’d prefer to have forfeited than to have lost another game to those twats this month,” he chuckled.
The two of you continued to chat, and on the car ride home you both stopped for some takeout at a drive-through, seeing as now it was dark and neither of you had had anything for dinner.
You thanked Tom again once whilst dropping him off, “I’d love to do this again, actually,” he said, fumbling with the strap of his bag of clubs slung over his shoulder.
“I don’t think I’m up to anymore golf for a while,” You said, with an awkward laugh.
“Well, we won’t do golf again then,” he smiled, “maybe just a dinner.”
“Sounds good,” you agreed. Saying good night, you left to head home and upon arriving, you immediately began to receive messages from the rest of the boys.
* Sam H - Already, he won’t shut up about you 😐 9:37 pm.
* Harry H - 10 bucks said he’d be too much of a wuss to ask you out before the end of tonight and I lost 🙄 9:41 pm.
