Blind date: Jodie & Michael

If you ever find yourself stuck for date ideas then you’re in luck: we’ve partnered with DateMakers to share Bristol’s best date ideas and experiences.

This month, art therapist Jodie, 35, went on a date with software engineer Michael, 29, for a golf lesson at InPlay Golf.

Jodie:

Have you ever been on a blind date before?

Growing up as a young teenager I used to watch Cilla Black’s Blind Date on TV. It was my favorite program. I found it fascinating watching how people interacted and responded to one another, the types of questions they asked, their reactions to one another when the screen went back and how they got on during their dates. It often surprised me who got together or seeing how badly the dates went wrong! This is the first time I’ve been on a blind date myself. Fortunately this was a positive experience, not like some of the disasters I’d seen on Blind Date!

What did you think of this experience as a first date?

As soon as I entered the building I was warmly welcomed by Nikki, an owner of InPlay Golf, who got me a drink and was very friendly and chatty. She took me over to meet Mike and introduced us. It was like Nikki was our very own Cilla Black!

I thought it was a lot of fun to play golf, something I would never normally have thought to do in my spare time, and the different courses made it interesting. We started to get quite into it choosing which club to use for specific parts of the course. We were especially good at hitting the tee out of the bay we were allocated!

What were your first thoughts when you saw your date?

I thought Mike was attractive and he came across as a really decent person. We were able to break the ice because I’d been told his name was Mark, so we had a short conversation that his name was actually Mike!

What did you talk about?

Whilst we played golf we were focused on our game and didn’t have much chance to make conversation. Neil and Nikki from InPlay Golf were super helpful and kept popping by with useful suggestions of how to use a club, which club to use and how to get round the course. I think their input really helped both Mike and I to relax and get a sense of one another without the pressure of having to make conversation all the time.

It felt like Mike and I worked well together as a team and we were encouraging one another. I especially enjoyed whacking the ball as far as I could. It’s surprising with golf how big the courses are, and how realistic these sensory bays are. We went for a drink afterwards and chatted more and started to get to know one another a bit more personally.

What was the atmosphere of the date like?

Overall I felt like it was interesting, as golf was new to both of us, and we chilled out with some drinks afterwards at a nearby bar. I’d never played golf before at all and really enjoyed it.

Whilst Mike and I were having a couple of drinks after conversation between us flowed easily. We talked about all sorts of things. Mike’s an interesting person who comes across to me as having an interest in self-development and wanting to try out new things. For example he went inter-railing around Europe this year and described his fancy dress outfit he’d made for Shambala festival.

He surprised me with all the different things he enjoys doing and that he has recently become vegan. I had the sense living an aware and ethical life is important to him as it is for me.

Any moments when you wished you were elsewhere?

Not at all. Mike was good company.

What would you say is the best characteristic of your date?

I thought Mike was genuine and kind and those are two of the most important qualities in someone’s character for me. He also came across as considerate and patient – there was a long wait at the bar when I went to get our next round of drinks. I think Mike must have waited about 30 minutes!

What do you think your date made of you?

I think he liked me as conversation flowed, we got on well and Mike was interested to see me again.

Is there anything you would change about the evening?

In the queue at the bar we went to after playing golf I got chatted up and was worried Mike would have thought I’d run away!

Were there any sparks of potential…?

I think there could be something potentially between Mike and I. I am the type of person who likes to take my time getting to know someone. I’d first like to get to know him, spend more time together, do more activities – perhaps play some more golf! I know he’s a decent guy, but by spending time with someone you get to know if you’re the right match for each other. I’d want to start from forming a friendship, which I feel is deeply important as a foundation in any good relationship. I enjoyed that we had numerous things in common and that we were interested to know things about the other person which were different.

Have you arranged to meet again, or will you in the future?

We both exchanged numbers and said we’d like to meet again.

Mike:

Have you ever been on a blind date before?

No. I really didn’t know what to expect.

What did you think of this experience as a first date?

Having an activity works really well because it takes the pressure off the conversation, and the golf simulator got be both active while also having our own little booth to play in.

What were your first thoughts when you saw your date?

“I hope she’s not a regular golf player because I am not good at this.”

What did you talk about?

Quite a bit about golf technique while we were playing, to be honest. We went for a drink afterwards and went through the usual ‘getting to know each other’ topics like work and interests, which led easily on to a bunch of other topics, from belly dancing to hula hooping.

What was the atmosphere of the date like?

Easy-going. The golf didn’t get too competitive (mainly because I didn’t have much of a chance), and when we got to talking over drinks conversation flowed really well.

Any moments when you wished you were elsewhere?

When I hit the ball into a sand bank. I wished to be not in a sand bank.

What would you say is the best characteristic of your date?

She seemed very caring and passionate, which really came through in the way she talked about her interests.

What do you think your date made of you?

I’d hope I came across as a good conversationalist with a relaxed attitude, to make up for my startling lack of golf skill.

Is there anything you would change about the evening?

Probably choosing a different bar for our drinks afterwards, finding somewhere with a bit of character rather than a generic chain.

Were there any sparks of potential…?

The way Jodie took to driving off the tee, I think there are definitely sparks of a potential in her golf game. Mine not so much. As for the date, I think we got on really well and I had a great time, so I think there’s potential even if it’s not yet ‘sparks’.

Have you arranged to meet again, or will you in the future?

We swapped numbers with the intention to meet up again.