That long, long drive onto the green.

• Position: WHAT'S NEW? - Golf clubs

The father-son(s) thing can be a great experience, from trips to the ballpark together to getting in a quick catch before dinner to rooting the kids on at their hockey games to being the automatic quarterback for our two-hand touch football games. Another thing the boys really enjoy doing--as does our teenage daughter--is going to the driving range for the early-bird weekend special. After a round of mini-golf, it's up to the second-story "launching pad" to hit a bucket or two of balls. (We like to go up top since, even if you flub the shot, the ball is still airborne and will at least travel a fair distance--how's that for massaging your handicap?)

Besides their few (and far between) good hits, the real fun comes when Dad steps up to the tee and pulls out his woods. Now, mind you, these are "real" woods in that they, having belonged to my father, are made of actual wood. When my swing is just right and I really get ahold of one, the ball sizzles high and far into the morning air, much to the awed delight of my offspring. However, if you thought they were impressed before, you should hear them now that I've finally stepped into the modern-day world with a pair of new drivers.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Over the last few years, I have replaced those old irons I inherited from dear old dad, but was reluctant to embrace the new technology that has turned "woods" into titanium, composite materials, graphite, etc...