The most memorable walk I've ever had was with my Grandfather when I was only 8 years old. My Grandfather is the person who taught me how to play this game, and he made me work hard to earn my right to put my peg in the ground. As a youth I always looked up to my Grandpa. He wouldn't let me out on the course unless I passed his test.
In order to play a 'real course' I had to hit 10 consecutive shots over 100 yards and sink 10 puts in a row. Many times I hit 9 shots over the flag only to come up short on the 10th, or I would hit 10 great shots and miss my 10th putt. My Grandfather knew it hurt to fail, but the lessons would last a life time.
I'll always remember the moment when I hit that 10th putt and earned the right to take the walk with my Pop. After that putt dropped, my Grandfather smiled and said "our tee time is in 15 minuets." Striding up to that first tee made me feel like I was on tour. I'll always remember that walk. The course was so surreal and so big. There were shots I'd never encountered and couldn't wait to master. I remember the chatter of my clubs as I strolled the fairways with my Grandpa as we shared an ear to ear girn the whole round.
He knew I'd been trying to play a 'real course' for so long, and I think we both lived a dream on that walk. Although we've shared many walks since, that one was special and will live with me forever. It was the beginning of my love affair with the game, and something I'll always be thankful for. It's the first and most memorable walk I've ever had.