Why We Golf
Why do you play golf in the first place?
To start - I would like to list some of the reasons most folks I
know
take up the sport of golf:
Pride
It’s almost like a proud parent raising a child successfully. You
start out hardly knowing anything about the game. Your scores
are usually horrible (in my case around 125) and your swing
mechanics are usually pathetic. Your shot making is non-
existent and your drives are short and very unimpressive.
And then, round after round (and after many nights and $’s
spent at the practice range) you slowly start to improve. I
remember the first day I broke 100 - and then the first day I
broke 90 - and then the first day I broke 80... few feelings in
the
world come close.
Status
Let’s face it, golf is rich in tradition. And whether right or
wrong,
those that have mastered the sport are generally stuck at the
top of the social ladder in the clubhouse locker rooms and
sometimes even in the workplace.
Let’s say you’re talking to your buddies about a local golfer and
then somebody in your group mentions this person is a scratch
golfer. No matter what you thought beforehand you hold that
person in a higher regard for some reason.
Focus
Even though focus is not necessarily why a person would pick
up the game of golf, after playing for a little while you will
realize
the game can improve your mental toughness, your mental
awareness, and eventually your outlook on life.
Now I know that may sound a little deep and possibly a tad
cheesy, but it’s the honest truth. If you have been playing golf
(even for just one season) you know there are many ups and
downs associated with the sport. Those ups and downs can be
found between years of playing, between rounds, between
holes, and sometimes (but hopefully not) between shots.
Through all these good times and bad times you learn
perseverance. You develop goal setting skills. If you stick with
the sport (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “I’m going
to sell my sticks in the paper tomorrow!”) you will build up a
“stick to it” type of attitude.
Your mind will become sharp!
No wonder those that have mastered the sport of golf are
generally
known as over-achievers.
Health
Even though I have listed health as number 4, this is one of the
main reasons I picked up a golf club.
My body was never in, what you would call, real good or athletic
shape. And when I would watch golf on the tube I noticed that
some of the men playing had guts… excuse me… un-chiseled
abs. Kind of like yours truly.
I thought to myself “All my buddies are skiing, shooting hoops,
hitting tennis balls, or playing golf… looks like golf is the best
way I can fit in”.
But what I soon found out is that golf has a sneaky way of
adding a little bit of exercise to your life. And that’s great for
those of us that hate to take the time out to exercise.
On a side note, I would encourage everyone to walk the course
once in a while. Here is what I suggest to my students who are
golf newbie’s: After playing a year or two, instead of trying to
back up from the white tees to the blue, try to walk more this
year and wait until next year to back up to the blue tees.
(Yeah right?!?)
Fun
When I play golf I have a great time.
Fellowship with friends or being paired up with someone I don’t
know and making new a friendship is another awesome benefit
golf has to offer.
And there is nothing more exciting than dropping an approach
shot next to the pin, sinking a monster putt, or smashing a long
drive in front of your playing partners.
__________________________________
Every few rounds I take a minute and concentrate on these 5
aspects
of the game. Improving on them is why you should be playing golf.