What is it with golf?

Question

I played a round with a friend yesterday - he's trying to get me into the game. I've never played before and I lost by a mile, naturally. More importantly though, although I understood the rules (clubhouse ethics are another thing), I didn't get the fascination at all. I just found it frustrating.

What is it that golfers see in the game?

Answer 1

i have only played a couple of years but after the first round i was hooked!tip is at first...dont try to hit the ball a long way , just keep it straight. you will learn to laugh when it all goes wrong but when you hit a great shot it is all worthwhile and that is the one you will remember in the bar after

Answer 2

It's the challenge of hitting a ball into a very small hole hundreds of yards away with equipment ill designed for that purpose.

It's the the fact when you play the game you have to forget about ALL the other things that may be going on in your life to even hit the ball at all.

Once you find out what it feels like to hit just ONE really good shot you become addicted. Ask any golfer who enjoys the game after they finish their round what they remember about the round and they will tell you about the good shots they made and most won't even talk about the bad ones.

To someone who enjoys the game it's the most fun you can have outdoors and keep your clothes on.

It's a game the requires finesse as much as power.

It's a game you can enjoy as much at 70 as you did when you were 20 even though you can't hit it as far.

And it's like s*x. You can enjoy it even if you aren't very good.

Answer 3

Haha I get what you mean... I've played golf all my life and I guess that we keep playing it because matter what you can always do better, and you are constantly changing and growing in your game so it never gets boring. Its a game of class and patience, and its great because you get to travel all around the world and expearence new courses.

Really golf is a game of life.... everytime you think you figured it out, another problem occurs..... its a never ending challange.

Answer 4

It's addictive because when you are playing well you just want to have another game and repeat a good round.

It's also addictive because if you have a bad round, you know you can play better so you want to go out and improve again.

It's also a very sociable game, because you usually play with a group of fellow golfers but at the same time you are playing against yourself in that you are playing to beat your handicap.

I could go on but I will get boring, sorry I love the game.

Answer 5

Learning golf is like learning a musical instrument.  You stink so bad when you first start and you want to maybe quit.   But soon, you start making music and you're hooked.  Its a game you can play forever.  You plan vacations around it.  Its an excuse to get away from the rest of your life.  Its a fun way to get exercise as well as socialize.  I could go on and on.

Answer 6

you're right it is very frustrating

no matter how good you play you could always have played better

There's very little satisfaction

Answer 7

Trust me, keep at it and you will be addicted. Its a great sport (although frustrating) and can be really rewarding

Answer 8

Golf simply isn't for everyone. It may be the most difficult, individual game to learn to play well. Unlike bowling, where the alleys are all the same length. the alleys are all the same width and the pins are always in the same location, or unlike tennis, where the court is always the same length and width and the net is always in the middle. In the game of golf every course different, every shot is different, every hole is different and every putt is different.  Not everyone falls in love with golf.

Answer 9

Its challenging. Its not as easy as it looks and the forever search for a better score. And just like what the other guy said.. that one shot out of a hundred will want you wanting more more more!

Answer 10

You diiiirrrrrty old man!

Why would you want to play around with your friend?

Answer 11

No body likes golf. A lot make out they do just so they can get away from the wife/husband.

Answer 12

you are correct golf is incredbily frustrating esp to those just trying out for the first time.  people play for a wide number of reasons, because they enjoy the outdoors, they are networking, they enjoy a good walk, etc.  Alot of people usually have one or 2 perfect shoots, such as a great approach shot, a long putt, a great long stright drive, and they are always looking for that same feeling like it was high they want to get back.

Answer 13

Its definitely not for everyone.  Its a very mental game and takes a ton of patience and years to get good.   I like golf because its you against the course.   No 'defense' other than the course/conditions.   When you get somewhat good at it, then it really grabs you...you want to get better.   Walking makes it even more enjoyable, but some people prefer a cart and beverages to 'enhance' their experience..

Answer 14

its a great game david but you sound like my brother in law

Answer 15

I agree, it seems like it is really boring and frustrating. It is frustrating no matter how good you are. Most adults, that play for a hobby, like to get away from the family for a little bit and have fun with their buddies.

I like it so much because it is so challenging, when I play bad, I don't really mad I just know I have to stay positive and work harder. When I play really well, I feel like I have rewarded myself for all the hard work. One of my favorite things about golf is, no matter how good you are -- even if you are tiger woods -- there is ALWAYS room for improvement. You can be making over 100 million a year, and there is still a ton of things you can do to make your game better.

Some people wonder why I like the challenge, I think it is because I grew up on a golf course and around the game. Everyone in my family plays but my brother and I are the only "serious" ones. Its fun though because we both play every day and we always call or text each other after we play and compare scores and we have like a bet thing going, so if shoot a better score, he owes me and if he shoots a better score, I owe him.

Its fun too because you control your game, you hit a bad shot, you can't blame it on any one. You have an awesome score or shot, you know it was all you. Even if you play on a team in high school or college, it really isn't a team because its your individual score that matters most.

I don't know, some people don't get the game but once you get into it and become better... it is really fun.

:)

Answer 16

It's ok once you're into it. I like it because it reminds me of spending time with my dad in my childhood when we used to go to the pitch and putt. It can be slow though, not as fast or competitive as football, rugby, hockey, etc. I couldn't watch it on the telly... far too boring! lol!

Answer 17

The quote is actually Mark Twain and it is, "Golf is a good walk spoiled."

The thing about golf is that it has never been, and never will be played perfectly.  Also, it is a game that can only be played but never won.  You can be better than other players, but ultimately you are playing against the course and your own limitations, and you can never win.  Golf is a game where you are trusted to call fouls on yourself (outside of the pros) and keep your own score.    It requires complete body awareness to hit a golf ball straight, and an understanding of physics to figure out why you do not.  It is complex and beautiful all while spending time in the open air with nothing but fellow golfers and nature to keep you company.  I understand that the game is not for everyone and even the most enthusiastic golfer gets frustrated.  But if you would like to appreciate the game and try to get better, try this.  Instead of worrying about your score or how far into the woods you hit your ball, try to just hit one good drive, one good iron, and one good putt.  If you can do that, you will come back and try again.

Answer 18

Yeah at 1st it is not fun at all when you suck. Once you start getting good however and hit a long drive down the fairway is a beautiful, peaceful sight. Its fun just to take a 6pack and hit 9 holes w/ a friend. Its outdoors and you get fresh air. Its usually quiet and it allows time for self reflection.

Answer 19

thats the great thing about golf the challenge. Not everyone can grab a club and play a game of golf.

Answer 20

I suppose whether you like golf or not will depend on your own personal taste.

After all, not everyone likes golf or is remotely interested in learning to play it.... just like not everybody likes playing poker, but there are lots of people who enjoy it too.

If you are looking for reasons to like it, you can look at it from the exercise (walking, twisting, swinging) point of view: golf is a sort of gentile exercise. You can also look at it as what it really is: a game. You use your skills to learn to play it well.

You can look at it as a challenge: how to learn to put that little ball into a tiny hole... 18 times over!

But if none of the above angles gets your attention, then maybe golf is not for you.

What's the fascination all about? The same fascination some folks get when bluffing in poker, scoring a goal in soccer, playing a set in tennis, scuba diving, etc.

Perhaps rather than trying to understand what the fascination is, you should try to conquer each skill.... starting from mastering the golf swing (not an easy task!) and take it from there.

Answer 21

i liked it immediatly b/c im a natural golfer

Answer 22

You can hit 100 bad shots and just ONE good shot...that one shot will bring you back tomorrow

Answer 23

I enjoyed it probably because I had a little natural ability We also joined a golf club and it was very social. BBQ on the weekend ,twilight matches ,competitions ,golfing weekends away in the country. It was a total commitment and kept us active for years. How else do you get the family away from the TV? ...

Answer 24

Oscar Wilde - "golf is a waste of a good walk"

TBH, i do quite enjoy it, mostly to be out in the fresh air, and shouting obsenities when you slice your ball into the pond also helps to releive tension.

Answer 25

Just because you found it frustrating i urge you not to give up, when i was young my dad made me play, and i hated him for it. I would much rather be out on the streets, causing trouble and being a nuisance to the community. However I'm now 30yrs old, and cant get enough of it. I agree that when you hit that first great shot, its all you can think about until you hit the next great shot. It then progresses to that great hole and then that great round and so on...

I'm now playing as regular as the wife will let me,lol.

Ive got quite good at it, even earned money from it.

All i can think about is, do i now encourage my own son to play it, or do i let him do his own thing and take the risk of him growing up to hang around the local shops being a nuisance to the community.

Answer 26

It is the greatest game - partly because no one has ever been able to perfect it.  When you hit a perfectly executed shot there is no better feeling.  It allows you to control the situation, plan your strategy, and they execute to the best of  your ability.  Each shot is living breathing thing that only lives for a short time and you only get one attempt at it.  Then you must move on to the next challenge.  It teaches planning, discipline, tolerance, it provides excellent exercise and affords physical challenge as well as mental.  You can play alone or with others, for your own enjoyment or in competition.  You just haven't hit a really good shot yet - once you do you will be hooked.