GTG GOLF

Golf sucks. I hate it. This is the worst sport on the face of the planet. Wait, did I just say that out loud? You didn’t hear that from me. What may surprise you is that I often find myself expressing these sentiments while on the golf course. Naturally, I usually say this shortly after I have missed a gimme putt or when I pull a drive so far left I know there’s not a shot in hell I will ever find that ball.

There have been many times when I have wanted to do something very similar to this guy.

As a beginning golfer, I do find myself getting easily frustrated at the game. Even so, there is something extremely unique about the sport of golf. I’ve never experienced a sport that taps into my competitive spirit as much as golf. I have never had a sport that I continue to play and invest money in even though improvement at times seems virtually impossible. Sounds great, right? Don’t worry though. I am here to tell you why anyone in their right mind would be crazy enough to start playing the game of golf.

One of my favorite facets of golf is that it is almost entirely reliant on the individual. Sure anyone can take lessons or play in team events. Still, in order to get better at the game it requires motivation on the part of the individual. Golf is what you make of it. If you don’t take the time to perfect your swing or fine-tune your putting stroke, then you will likely never succeed at the sport. Golf is a craft. It requires careful attention and the ultimate amount of focus.

Without continuing to hone your craft, golfers might  find themselves making the same mistakes over and over again. Any mental lapse and you might never see your ball again. For some, this might sound entirely frustrating. For me personally, I wonder why someone would find that responsibility frustrating? Golf is great in the fact that it requires your best effort for every single shot. It constantly challenges anyone to think things through and remember the fundamentals in order to be successful. While I know I will never be as good as guys like Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, I know that with practice I can get better.

This next point might seem a little frivolous, but I promise I have a point. What other sport can you drink beer with friends while playing? I mean seriously people. Some drink beer when they’re playing well. Others drink it when they aren’t playing so well. My point being that golf is also unique because it allows social lives and competitive nature to be intertwined. You might play a basketball game against a friend, but most social interactions take place before or after the game. In golf you get to interact with those you’re playing with after every single shot.

Furthermore, no round of golf is ever the same.  Any golf course is constantly changing their hole locations or maybe even takes time to adjust the distance between tee boxes. Even weather conditions can change the game by altering things like the speed of the greens on that particular day.. Each individual course provides its own set of challenges that can enhance or hamper one’s game.  In addition, each course provides a certain aesthetic value that comes with hitting a shot off a luscious, green fairway or striking an approach shot over a tranquil body of water. What’s better than being outside on a beautiful day and playing a round of golf?

Who wouldn’t want to play on a course like this one?

The most appealing part of golf is that you can play it forever. No matter how old or young the golfer, as long as they can consistently hit a ball and understand the game, they can play. While some may enjoy certain sports while growing up, these sports can often become somewhat limiting with age. Golf is a sport that can be played by both men and women and can be enjoyed by those who play it for as long as they want. You can also play with or against anyone. Golfers can easily keep  track of their scoring handicap in order to maintain a level playing field for anyone involved and keep the game competitive regardless of skill level.

Basically, I have been fortunate to excel at several sports while growing up. The fact that I can’t simply pick up a golf club and become proficient at the sport as soon as I want to  is precisely why I like it. Sure, I get frustrated at times. Yet I always hit one really good shot in any given round that keeps me coming back and wanting more. Golf provides me with the best challenge. Every improvement in golf has to be earned. It all rests on my shoulders. The list on why anyone would play golf can go on and on. I truly feel as though golf is under appreciated by the average athlete.

You might think you will be the worst golfer on the face of the planet, but you really never know until you go out there and pick up a club. Continually practicing and pushing yourself will give you a reason to keep coming back. More importantly, I want to know why you guys play golf. What is it that keeps YOU coming back? I am eager to hear what you guys have to say.