Why do you play golf?

[islandersfan1]

I play because I find it fun and I think it's a great opportunity for scholarships/college. Other people play to get away and others to relax. Why do you play golf?

[Pepsivanilla93]

Because its easy to get, but hard to master. It provides an opportunity for lifelong learning and I'd like to see how good I can get. Plus you don't have to be physically gifted to play. And you can drink beer on the course :) it's really got everything.

[Roblar]

I need the exercise. (I walk.)

...and I'm an addict.

[Chris223]

because it's fun???  Isn't that why we all play.

[Strandly]

Excellent reason to get outside and enjoy the summers, hard to master, exercise.

[plum]

originally took it up to spend some more time with my father, now i do that but mainly to relax. its all about the sunglasses, shorts and sun

[Brakkus]

I can see why people take up golf in middle age. After leading a life where you burn the candle at both ends in your early twenties, and maybe play more intense sports. Life gets to the point where you have demands on your time and lots of responsibility so you need a sport that provides a juxtaposition to that. For me golf fits that description it still provides a sporting element and the challenge of improving your skill. Also though it relaxes my mind out in the fresh air and a golf course celebrates how beautiful a landscape can be when its tailored for a purpose. Oh and its like legal drug taking who needs a fix when you have a white ball and a stick:)

[Ernest Jones]

Because. It. Is. The. Awesomest. Sport. Ever.

[clutchshot]

There is noting as pure as a well struck golf shot -Roy MacAvoy (tin cup) I love being outside on the courses, I love how it is a game against yourself, I love how much fun it is to play with other people, I love the challenge, and I love the reward. There are a millions reasons I play, I truely love the game of golf. I even enjoy just going outside and practicing hitting shots, just love the feeling, it relaxes me. To me, it is an unparalleled experience where every hole has the potential to be the best of your life.

[GaijinGolfer]

I play it for the endless challange.  No matter how good you play, you could always be better.  I also play golf because the ups and downs of a round and dealing with those things teach you a lot about yourself and teach you a lot about dealing with adversity that transfers to learning how to deal with the ups and downs of daily life.

[Hardballs]

It's the only time in the week that my mind clears itself from thoughts of work, bills, finances, wife and kids! Once I'm faced with a nice looking fairway and look down to see my ball on a tee, the world disappears, my troubles are replaced with grass, my problems are replaced with the sky, and my worries are replaced by the breeze in the air, it's a form of meditation for me at the moment, a blissfully spent few hours of fun and challenge with friends! And as I putt out on the 18, we shake hands, look forward to the next time... and life sadly resumes! ;-)

[David in FL]

Because I'm an idiot who enjoys emotional pain, suffering, and embarrassment.  I know of no better way to inflict them upon myself than by playing this silly game!

[Dave2512]

It's better for me than my previous hobby, sitting around drinking beer. Though I guess all that changed is the scenery.

[rkim291968]

I play golf b/c I no longer can play my favorite sports (boxing, tennis, basketball, soccer, ...) without risking my well being.  I broke too many bones playing physical sports and golf seems to be much safer one to play.

... and all of the above.

[teed off]

Hmmm...............spending 4-5 or so hours outside on a beautiful day whacking a ball around in a wonderful, quiet sedate piece of real estate.......vs...........8 hours at the office trying to get through the day without p&%%ing any one off.

I choose golf.......

[RickK]

Why do I play golf....

2 reasons.

The first one is my own saying...I can't find any other form of self abuse I like better than golf.

The second one is by Hardy Greaves from the Legend of Bagger Vance....

"It's the greatest game there is.  Ask anybody. It's fun. It's hard and you stand out there on that green, green grass, and it's just you and the ball and there ain't nobody to beat up on but yourself; just like Mister Newnan keeps hittin' himself with the golf club every time he gets angry. He's broken his toe three times on account of it. It's the only game I know that you can call a penalty on yourself, if you're honest, which most people are. There just ain't no other game like it."

It truly is the greatest game there is.

[Wally]

Because I'm an idiot who enjoys emotional pain, suffering, and embarrassment.  I know of no better way to inflict them upon myself than by playing this silly game!

[quote name="RickK" url="/t/69826/why-do-you-play-golf#post_894203"]Why do I play golf.... 2 reasons. The first one is my own saying...I can't find any other form of self abuse I like better than golf. The second one is by Hardy Greaves from the Legend of Bagger Vance.... "It's the greatest game there is.  Ask anybody. It's fun. It's hard and you stand out there on that green, green grass, and it's just you and the ball and there ain't nobody to beat up on but yourself; just like Mister Newnan keeps hittin' himself with the golf club every time he gets angry. He's broken his toe three times on account of it. It's the only game I know that you can call a penalty on yourself, if you're honest, which most people are. There just ain't no other game like it." It truly is the greatest game there is. [/quote] Both of these stand true of me. And, I love that movie!

[Meltdwhiskey]

I used to have other hobbies - playing guitar, riding my motorcycle, mountain biking, etc.  But each of the friends I did that stuff with sort of dropped out of it or moved or something and I found myself doing these things alone - or really just kind of not doing them anymore.  So I took a mental inventory and realized that several of my friends played golf.  Off to the PGA superstore I went and got a used set of G5's.  Practiced a little and started playing.

Then two of my buddies moved, one joined a private club I can't afford and another 2 of them had kids.  Now I play by myself or whomever they pair me with.  But I can't stop.  Always feel the need to be out there.  Not exactly sure why.  But I can't wait to go again.