Golfers: How did you get hooked on the game?

Question

Most people I talk to say theat they have "one memorable shot" that got them hooked, and they never looked back. This is true for me as well. My "shot" came when I was 7 years old. It was a driver on a 165 yard downhill par 3. It was struck dead solid, probably the first one I ever hit off the screws (you never forget that feeling.) Nice, high ball flight that just carried the front bunker and landed nice and soft. The ball trickled up toward the hole, caught the lip of the cup, and spun out to about two feet. Considering my age and ability level at that time, it was one of the best shots I ever hit. Im 30 years old now, and I can still vividly remember every detail of that shot. I would have to say I was hooked after that. Been playing Golf avidly ever since. Does anyone else share this same experience?

Answer 1

It was 46 years ago. My dad and I both  started at the same time. We weren't sure who was teaching whom but we were both amazed how far you could hit a golf ball and quickly learned how immediate the feedback was when you hit a bad shot. It wasn't just one particular shot but just the idea that we were playing golf together.

Answer 2

I got hooked at about age 9 when my Dad asked if I wanted to caddy for him in his 9 hole league after work.  It was the first time I was on a golf course and it was so impressive in the evening light.  I just loved being out there and still do 50 years later.

Answer 3

the shot that got me hooked was in a coca-cola tournament when i was 6 it was a 135 yard par three and i hit my driver and hit the green and i still remember to this day that  there was 4 of us in the group and i got mad because i was the last one that got to putt and i remember my dad was my  caddie and said that when you get to putt last that means you hit a closer shot than everybody else

Answer 4

Mine was the first time I ever played. Of course I was terrible at golf, but I had one beautiful shot and that was all it took.

I was about 130 yards out and hit the ball just right. It landed about 6 inches from the cup. All it takes is one shot to get you hooked.

Answer 5

I played High School football, and treated it as though it was my life.  From the time I was 12 until I graduated, I trained year round to develop into the best football player I could be.  Unfortunately, it wasn't good enough for college play.  The university I chose did not have a football team for me to be part of, and I needed a new activity to take the place of football in my life.  My pastor suggested I try golf.  

I bought a set of clubs at a yard sale for $10 and went to the driving range one weekend only to find myself quickly frustrated.  I refused to give up on the game though, and about 6 months later, I was playing one afternoon with a college roommate on an afternoon that we did not have a class.  We snuck out for 9 holes at a local course and on the 3rd hole, a 154 yard par 3, I stuck my shot to within 4 feet, tapping in for birdie.  That was 12 years ago and I haven't looked back since.

Answer 6

the challenge is amazing

Answer 7

I was away on a business trip and happened to be running inspections - and my greatest hit; was while playing a course in Midway, Utah.  I was playing the Mountain Course, it was fall and all the trees had turned Yellow, Orange, Red and at the highest sea level point (it looked like everything had burst to flames)... I was alone on the course for 16 holes, never said a word or saw a human for 3 and half hours, anyway I stood at the tee for about 15 mins, just hoping that I could share the view with someone and finally took out my largest driver and pounded a ball that seem to float in the air and  actually picked up speed mid-flight halfway down the fairway - it was incredible how far the ball went at that elevation.  I don't think in the last 10 years I have ever feel at peace like that...

Have fun!!!

this is not me, but I'm pretty sure it was his hole

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8574202@N02...

*sorry for the edit, the story didn't serve justice for such a wonderful experience.

http://www.uga.org/clubs/wasatch/index.c...

Answer 8

My mom got me started playing when I was 12. She thought my old man was cheating on her every Saturday when he left for the golf course, so she talked me into going to keep an eye on him. I don't remember any one particular shot that got me hooked, rather it was the game itself... always trying to improve on the previous weeks score. I'm 52 now, and mom and dad are gone, but I'm eternally grateful they got me playing this crazy game! I play locally 2-3 times a week, and take 2-3 golf vacations to Myrtle, Orlando, or Daytona every year.