How does golf help your life?

Golf is a sport I'm so thankful I was taught back in the mid 70's. It's been with me all these years, and it never fails to beckon me back for more.

Here are some ways it helps my life:

• It's always a challenge, no matter how good or bad I play
• It makes me want to stay in shape (run, walk, weight-train, etc)
• It gives me beauty - I love any golf course I'm standing on
• It sharpens my mind and my senses
• It teaches me patience (oh how I need it)
• It shows me how to respond to troubles and setbacks
• It tempts my anger after bad shots
• It thrills my emotions after good shots
• It puts a smile on my face just driving into the course
• It is sweet medicine during hard times.
• and finally - it's a sanctuary for healing during the ups and downs of life.

I really love this game...

Amen, think the same applies to everyone!

Agree with the above 100%. I love this game no matter how well or poorly I play in a given round. Love the feeling of anticipation pulling into the course. Love the bonding with my regular playing partners but most of all I love the fact that my 7yr old daughter now asks me to take her to the driving range after seeing the kind of joy this silly game brings me. Can't wait until my 1yr is asking her daddy thesame!

Great thread, and food for thought .
I took up golf about 5 years ago and almost over night was addicted, now I play 3 times a week and since I found out early on that golf and hangovers don't mix , I gave up drinking, this led to better productivity in work , personal life, and on course scoring .
You could say golf saved my life

......For me it gets me out nd about.....
......Meet new people nd have a bit of crack.....
......My temper.....
......It also keeps me out of trouble.....

Keeps me from going on a multi-state killing spree.

I have a known anger problem and when I get mad I like to either pick fights or punch things. Since I've taken up golf over a little over a year ago. Ive only had a couple outbreaks because now when I get mad I just go to the range or course and go hit some balls to clear my mind. I would say that it is all due to golf.

Great question! After being an extremely avid golfer for years I came very close to giving it up for about 8 years. It wasn't intentional, but it happened gradually. Since getting back into it and working my index back down I've noticed an improvement in my life in several areas.

* Better quality time with family - time on the course with my kids is great. Time off the course is better spent if I've just played or am playing a round the next day. It's like I'm more focused on actively enjoying my family instead of just hanging out with no plan of how to spend our time together.
* Desire to stay physically fit to play better golf
* Better work/life balance (tend to not emotionally take work home with me) - I'm a workaholic. Golf gives me something else to think about.
* Better guy time with friends - I play with some great guys who are good people to hang out with.
* Overall better demeanor
* Happier wife - of my hobbies (hunting, flyfishing, archery tournaments, etc) golf if the one my wife approves of most
* Ministry opportunities - there are some churches in my area that are very active in using golf as a church ministry. That's a win/win for me.

I am diabetic so the walking, swinging the clubs, and carrying the bag does a great job in keeping my sugar level down. Also makes me a more patient person. I recently got my wife to start playing so it allows us to spend more time together. We both love golf.

I'd like to say that it calms me down, but that would be a lie. It definitely hurts my body more than it helps it. It costs quite a bit to get started and the amount of brain space it's robbed from me is quite sizable. Shit, now that I think about it, what the hell does golf do for me?

I dunno, I think it's just the battle between me, the course, everything around me, my playing partners (especially my buddies and family members), etc. It's listening to Maria Callas sing O Mio Babbino Caro in your head while you swing the perfect iron shots on a beautiful course.

OK... now I'm just rambling. I just love the challenge. It's insanely addictive, and I love the prospect that I may never get good at this game. That's part of the appeal I think. Also, I don't really play that often, and absence makes the heart grow fonder.

For me it is what gets me through the week - knowing every Saturday I will enjoy my round with a great meal afterwards and the quality time I get to spend with my father in law about once a month when I go out to play with him.

the single greatest thing golf has done for me is get me into MUCH better physical shape. i was a fat slob 7 years ago, like, really really fat. when i first started, i couldn't even make it around nine holes, i'd be so winded and my legs would be cramping up. finally worked my way up to walking 27 or 36 holes in a day and lost 50 lbs in the last 6 years doing it. that paved the way to me getting into a gym and changing my diet and generally trying to be healthier.

beyond that, golf is a fantastic stress reliever for me. even if i'm not playing a very good round, if i've got anything going on in my life that i need to escape from, i head for the course and spend about three hours clearing my head while i play.

Career and business opportunity

Golf is the epitome of life. It teaches me many things about life.

- Golf calms me down, made me realized that temper won't solve problems.
- Golf is an escape. I feel like I am in a different world when playing golf. I forget about all the things I worry about.
- Golf teaches me not to lose faith. One bad shot doesn't mean the next will be the same.
- Golf shows that life might go against you sometimes. A good swing doesn't mean a good shot. And sometimes a bad shot will surprise you.
- Golf is my friend and makes me forget that I am alone.

I am experiencing a tough period of my life. Most of the time only golf can put a smile on my face. Sad but true.

Golf builds relationships. Some of my very best friends are just that because of golf.

It is difficult to add anything to the above but Golf is "the Greatest Game".

I have friends that I would not have without golf.
I love being outdoors.
I work out regularly to stay in shape for golf.
I like the challenge. No matter how good a round you have you see a few shots left on the course.
I go places and see things I wouldn't without golf.
And lastly, it is a lot cheaper than a mistress.

I'm retired so it helps to keep me active and fill a good part of my day. A good way to meet new people and of course stay in shape. Truly a great game.

That sucks man. Glad golf helps though.