Because you know that golf is not a game. The cliché doesn’t work—it’s not life, either, because we don’t spend near as much time contemplating our actual lives. Golf is as perspective-altering and priority-skewing as any opiate out there. It has laid waste to bank accounts, steamrolled marriages, demonized fathers, and alienated sons. Its brutally efficient buzz is its hook—just one good shot out of a hundred, just 1 percent of pure, did you see that one high—it’s enough to keep millions of us jonesing our way to the weekend. That glint of golf ball climbing up the breeze, suspended there in some heavenly grip, then rolling over and careening back to the earth, settling into the fairway like it was being reunited with an old friend. No matter that your next swing is an exercise in self-flagellation, that your shank from the fairway looks like you were throwing to first base, that you four-putted from five feet and proceeded to dramatically advance the science of profanity—for one moment on that one afternoon, you had your fix. You felt it click far back in your mind, and you were off soaring with that golf ball, all warm and smiley like a kid in a Nike commercial: Nice to meet you, golf. I am Tiger Fucking Woods.
Agreed on most everything listed. Golf is one of, if not the best, communities out there. The playing surface changes every day, even if you play the same place consistently. Hard not to have a good time on the golf course, especially with a good group and a good wager
i love that the best shot of your life is only one swing away…doesnt matter how you hit the last shot or if the result was what you were hoping for or not, that best swing could aways come next
For me, it is life…spiritual and mystical. To play better golf is the same thing I need to do to be a better person…be present.
And, I can’t explain it further than that.
Other than to say, when I’ve played poorly and want throw my clubs away at the end of the day…before I go to bed I think, “I cant wait to try again tomorrow.”
This is really profound and an idea that’s intuitive to me, but something I’ve never put as succinctly and clearly as you have here: The things that I need to do to play better golf are the same things I need to do to be a better person. I love that.
For me it is patience. Taking a moment to think, to let emotion subside, to formulate a plan, and to stick with that plan even when I encounter adversity. No matter what happens, to take accountability for what’s next - after a good shot or circumstance or a bad one. Really good stuff, @VelvetSteve.
The key to golf for me, is fully understanding it’s purpose in my life.
I dedicate tons and tons of time, energy and money into it.
Why on earth, would I not appreciate every moment? I play golf for fun. Stop caring so much about the results. Playing great is always fun. But we don’t always play great.
Learning to enjoy an 82 in the first round of the club championship has been the key to golf for me. I played so bad, and enjoyed every moment of it. And you know what, since taking this approach, I’ve had more invites to cool places from cool people since taking this approach, overall life has become far more fulfilling.
Was vibing out in a Boston coffee shop recently when I turned to Neil and asked him what No Laying Up meant to him. After brief contemplation he looked me dead in the eyes and said, “it’s about feeling good while the ball sails OB.”
My reason for loving golf is that it is the best office space to work in. I get to see the sun come up every morning and get off early enough to get 18 in on any given day. I’m currently an assistant superintendent and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Whether it’s working at the most prestigious club that won’t let people in, a course that hosts a Tour event, or a local muni, everyone in the industry either loves the game or loves what they do, but not because it is easy. It’s a different challenge every day, just like every hole you play is a different challenge.
Inspired by @fullbodyfix I too have found my answer coincidentally after the NLU Summit.
Golf is more than a game, golf is a walk (best enjoyed barefoot) through and among the natural beauty of the world the Lord has made. Golf is a battle whose trials and triumphs are known and understood only by those who play. The anguish and joy experienced, often on the same hole or in the course of one round, unite those who play with a bond that is unmistakable. Be it competitive or casual, there is no experience that compares to golf and the people you meet playing this confounded game. Last week was the greatest week of my golfing life, not because of the result of the Summit but because of who I shared it with: my brother @TexasWedge. I contend that golf, much like life, is not about what you accomplish but who you share it with. The Summit gave me the clarity I needed to finally recognize this. To @Swaggy_P@endangeredspiethies@scuff@anon47037505@fullbodyfix@DeadMan@Moultz@redbeard_golf and all the other sickos I met last week, let’s tee it up again soon.
Why do I love golf?
Most likely answer is that it’s what my family played. My grandfather taught my dad and his brothers how to play and they taught myself and my cousins. It has kept us remarkably close and a reason to meet up to slag each other about wayward drives and almost cry laughing at duffed putts - yes putts - from one of my cousins who only breaks out the clubs for that meet once a year.
My father is almost sixty and still beats me every time we play – and I love it. Playing with him has given me a lifetime of memories and lessons.
More still, I had the honour and privilege of being the last person to play with my Granddad before he hung up the clubs. It was a quick five hole loop about 8 or 9 months after a heart surgery and I, only about 11 at the time, was in awe that even at his age the ball was on a literal string. The scores didn’t matter that day, and in reality they never do, but I will remember him holing out from about 20 feet on our last hole for par for the rest of my life.
He turns with his old Peter Thompson putter aloft, beaming and under his breath says, “would you look at that - not bad at all”.
We walk off the green, his arm around my shoulders telling me how much he enjoyed getting out again, into the fresh air and walking.
In reality, I think he knew it was his last ever time swinging a club, but for me, it’s the reason I keep going back in earnest; to one day finish with a par at the last and be able to chuckle to myself, “Not bad at all”.
Golf never ceases to amaze me. The variety of experiences and feelings while on the golf course. The outdoors and connectedness to nature. The thrill. The let down. The suspense.
Golf has helped me mature and taught me how to appreciate the world around me, no matter how large or small the detail. I didn’t have to know anything about design to feel the rush of adrenaline from seeing just how much of that huge lake could be cut off. And now, picking up on the subtleties that tie it all together.
Golf brings people together. It’s introduced me to incredible strangers and strengthened relationships with my closest friends.
