Its the challenge for me. As far as i see it, there can be three challenges in golf
Every round is different. The anticipation of each round is almost better than the actual rounds themselves. I just love it.
Golf is something I can do to relax, as well as something I can actively strive to improve in and (sometimes) see the fruits of my effort. Plus, a decent number of my coworkers and higher ups golf, so itās nice to bond with the people Iām working with nearly every day
There are a LOT of reasons, but honestly, the single biggest is basically that itās an incredibly difficult sport for which you get all the blame and all the credit. You canāt rely on or blame teammates.
I love that in golf you can roll up to a place youāve never been before, play with complete strangers with vastly different backgrounds and all escape life for a bit. All chasing that same feeling when piping a drive down the middle or pulling off an awesome shot, regardless of what your definition of an awesome shot is. I also love that golf has a mystique where there will always be something new to learn about the game, the course, and also yourself.
I love golf because of the challenge, the community, and just the overall emotion of the game. Golf reminds me a lot about life. There are highs and lows. Sometimes there are high highs and even lower lows. Itās full of battles, losses, and victories. Life doesnāt seem all that different. I grew up playing golf ever since I can remember. My dad bought us those Walmart plastics golf sets. And when we outgrew them he would buy us 2 sets and tape the shift together. Golf has always been a challenge for me because of my temper lol. I can get pretty upset sometimes and Iāve managed to get a lot of distance out of my clubs if you know what I mean. I try to challenge myself every hole to realize itās just a game. The community is also a big part of it. Iāve always played with my dad and 2 older brothers. Thats always been fun and itās something Iāll never forget.
What a great topic. Gets me in my feels.
Cheers
I havenāt always loved golf. In fact, up until about a year ago, I wouldāve told you that I hated golf, and not in the āToday I hate golf, tomorrow Iāll love golf againā senseā¦
Up until about a year ago, I hated golf because I didnāt know anything about golf. Instead, I assumed I knew golf and āgolf peopleāā¦and I hated that imagined person and culture. And then I tried golf.
Actually, it was just the driving range, at first. Back then I didnāt even think Iād ever play a real golf course. But, at that driving range, I learned a few basic swing concepts/tips (courtesy of a local pro, sensing my frustration), and eventually caught one pureā¦yeah, you all know that feeling! And from that moment on, Iāve basically been hooked. Iāve golf every weekend since, and my love for the game has grown every time out.
I think being bad fuels it for me. Getting the handicap from 20 to 12 was so rewardingā¦then setting the goal lower and struggling through that process.
A few people have mentioned the courses. Amazing how you can play courses with such historyā¦really get into your local spot. @GluteActivator nailed that one.
Nothing is like it.
It started as something for my Dad, brother and I to do together and never thought it would be much more. However golf soon became much more. The game became a drug I needed. A way to open doors that otherwise would have stayed closed. A refuge when going through tough times. Golf has given me many of my closest friends. Golf is just that golf many things for many people. For those of us that truly love it. We know it is more than a game and we will never give it up
Love the gamesmanship involved, esprit de corps, nuances of the golf swing (depending on weather, feel and spirits consumed) and just being outside.
I love the escape, the outdoors, the smells, and the challenge. Iāve played terrible golf for 10 years (kids and the yips) but man I still love it. Finally broke 80 for the first time in a long time and the itch is even stronger. Also did it chipping with one arm.
Caught the bug in high school. Joined the golf team on a whim after quitting hockey because some of my slacker stoner buddies convinced me that it was easy and all they do is play 9 holes and screw around at practice. Both of those two ended up bailing right away and I stuck with it. Became tight with our #1 player who was scratch. Ended up playing 36+ damn near every day that summer with him and got to see high quality playing up close. Played with him the day he broke our course record. Even caddied for him in a handful of tournaments. Unfortunate injury our senior year and lack of motivation ended his shot at college golf. He played at a D3 school in Wisconsin and gave up. I play with him a handful of times a summer and he still has the raw skill, just lacks the reps/motivation. I ended up moving to Minneapolis for college and joined a semi private club for a summer. Got my game as dialed as itās probably ever been and broke par for the first time.
These days I find myself playing a lot of rounds by myself to just get out there and hit shots. I genuinely care more about hitting the right shot at the right moment than I do about posting a number. Only reason I keep a GHIN is so I can enter some local tournaments to scratch the competitive itch. Unfortunately for me, my handicap is low-ish, so when I play with buddies and we use handicaps, I have to really have my shit together, which gets tough when youāre a 6 pack deep.
But realistically, the reason I love golf is because it can be enjoyed in so many capacities and so late into life. I just went on a trip to Scotland with my 65 year old dad and we walked every round. Heās a bit of a hack, but he had a smile on his face the whole time and it was truly the trip of a lifetime.
Sorry for rambling here. Iāve had a couple Goose Island BCBS and theyāre ahā¦catching up to me.
TLDR: I just do, dammit.
I love golf because I get to spend time and make memories with my dad, grandpa, and friends. I have made 3 of the best friends I could ask for through golf. Golf is a special game and I love it
New to the Refuge. Love the NLU guys and decide to join in on the conversation. Golf is a great game because itās ageless. You can play the rest of your life in some shape or form. Every round is a chance to do something youāve never done before or shoot a low score you have yet to accomplish. Itās you vs the course every single time. Iām a 6 HDCP but recently decided to scrap my swing and build a new game from the ground up with hopes of getting better and reaching my goal of scratch.
Welcome to the Refuge, Ryan!
Welcome aboard fellas! Glad to have you join the community.
I love golf, because it has allowed me to play with my dad, who is 76 and misses the competitive edge of football (UK), my friends and hopefully one day my children when they are old enough to swing themselves.
There is nothing better than a lovely summers day out on the course, away from the office playing 18.
Iāve only been playing for about 10 years but I thoroughly enjoy playing it , watching it and listening to it (shout out to the NLU podcast!)
Strapped episode yesterday captured one of my main reasons. @KVV has the lowest round of his life. Every time I show up to play thereās always a part of me that thinks this could be the best round of my life. Sometimes itās a small thought and sometimes itās the main thought. I donāt think that will ever go away.
Because golfballs are the best asshole repellent. In 20 years of playing golf with random humans Iāve only met three people I didnāt like.
My dadās a serious runner and talking about why there are so many great people in the running community he said something like ādickheads donāt like difficult things, and runnings difficultāā¦might go for golf a bit as well.
Was just trying to articulate this to a non golfing friend, but one reason I have been thinking a lot about lately is the sheer level of self awareness and personal accountability it takes to seriously improve in golf translates into all areas of your life.
As a 30 year old, Iāve grown more personally, professionally, and as a player in the last 1.5 years than I ever have before. I cannot separate the personal growth from the commitment to be a better player, theyāve gone hand in hand.