Best of luck to you.  Sometimes we just need a break.   Step back, take a breath, enjoy nature and your family.  Golf will be there when you return.

Don't leave!  But if you need to take a break due to life circumstances or what not, golf will be here when you get back.

Nah, I think you will be fine. I would bet the bug will come back soon. Take care in the meantime.

If you injured your knee at some point, and the golf swing or walking is likely to aggravate that injury, then I suppose that could be (part of?) the problem.  Thing is: How would you know until you tried?

If that was my concern I'd hit the range, start out real gentle like, half swings without much behind them, and slowly ramp up.  If I really loved golf, and I currently do, I wouldn't let "what might be" stop me.

As for the courses you play normally being closed: That might be a bigger deal for me, personally.  I don't like change.  Or at least I don't like change I'm not driving  Getting over that hump would take some commitment on my part.  Luckily, I'm literally surrounded by decent public courses and haven't settled on any that are necessarily my regulars or favorites.

Your last thought, perhaps it being because it seems like the whole world's going to hell in a hand basket: That would be one of the best reasons of which I could possibly think to encourage me to play.  In fact I'm pretty certain that is one of the reasons I'm so immersed in the hobby: It's providing a pleasant distraction from the stupidity, idiocy, and downright malignancy that seems to be running rampant all around me.

Another thing about that last point: Turn off the fracking pap that bills itself as "news."  It's not news.  It's thinly-veiled propaganda or poorly-scripted "entertainment," at best.  If you're on one-or-more anti-social media platforms: Dump 'em.  Trust me: You don't really need them as badly as you think you do.  I'm not a religious person, but I'm seriously coming to the conclusion that, if there truly is Evil in this world, it is epitomized by those platforms.  If you've people in your life that cannot seem to STFU about what they see and hear in the "news" and on anti-social media, explain to them you neither want to hear about nor discuss that nonsense anymore.  If they won't comply with your wishes: Get them out of your life.  They're toxic.  If they wish to poison their own souls: Fine.  Don't let them bring you down with them.

Dump that stuff.  Go play golf.  Be happy 

I can't imagine not wanting to golf so I can't say I understand how you feel.  It is still early in the season so maybe in time you feel the desire.  You need to do what feels right to you and I hope that includes golf at some point in time.

If someone doesn't have the desire for golf, so be it. Some of his possible reasons, or all of them, could add up to losing interest. I could see not wanting to hurt your knee and being cautious so you don't. Also, it takes a lot of time and effort to play the game, as threads have be formed pertaining to time spent for a round of golf, which includes al prep time as well. It will work it self out one way or another. I have had thoughts of backing off because I have some injuries that nag at me, and golf seems to be the catalyst of them.

On 3/23/2021 at 10:06 AM, SEMI_Duffer said:

Dump that stuff.  Go play golf.  Be happy 

I already have. I stoped watching the news, except the weather which is also pretty depressing. I also shut down FB. I’ve resorted to staying at home and drinking the night away. 

2 hours ago, StuM said:

I can't imagine not wanting to golf so I can't say I understand how you feel.  It is still early in the season so maybe in time you feel the desire.  You need to do what feels right to you and I hope that includes golf at some point in time.

That has been me every year until now. I’ve pretty much given up on most things. 

IANAP (I Am Not A Psychotherapist [or Psychologist]), but that doesn't sound particularly healthy 🙁

44 minutes ago, SEMI_Duffer said:

IANAP (I Am Not A Psychotherapist [or Psychologist]), but that doesn't sound particularly healthy 🙁

You don’t have to be to know that. 

3 hours ago, CarlSpackler said:

hat has been me every year until now. I’ve pretty much given up on most things. 

I can understand being tired of the news, always negative but giving up on most does sound concerning.  Is there something unique going on in your life? Maybe one of those birthdays called "Milestones" or maybe loss of a loved one?  I can see getting tired of something but "Most Things" does sound concerning.

Thanks to the concern everyone. I will be OK. Today was a sunny 70* day and that certainly helps. No golf for me, but I did some yard work and fixed my fence gate that was damaged in the winds the other night. @StuM, I hit the big 5-0 this year, but it doesn't really concern me, at least not consciously. Mostly it's all this COVID BS I think. It's wearing me down. I blew up at the TV earlier this week when the weather guy said that you should try to social distance if you need to shelter at a neighbor's house in a tornado warning. Seriously?!!! There's a tornado bearing down on us, but let's not pass the cooties. 🤦‍♂️

I, of course, wish you the best. Stay safe. While you're waiting to get your mojo back would you like to send me your clubs? I'd make sure they were cared for properly!  😁

6 hours ago, CarlSpackler said:

Thanks to the concern everyone. I will be OK. Today was a sunny 70* day and that certainly helps. No golf for me, but I did some yard work and fixed my fence gate that was damaged in the winds the other night. @StuM, I hit the big 5-0 this year, but it doesn't really concern me, at least not consciously. Mostly it's all this COVID BS I think. It's wearing me down. I blew up at the TV earlier this week when the weather guy said that you should try to social distance if you need to shelter at a neighbor's house in a tornado warning. Seriously?!!! There's a tornado bearing down on us, but let's not pass the cooties. 🤦‍♂️

When winter started, and being locked in, I was really struggling myself. I missed seeing my friends, socializing, and participating in hobbies outside of the house. One thing, don't watch any news, it depresses many with all the negative bs. I found myself ordering golf equipment online to have something to look forward to. I personally don't think the C19 problems are going away anytime soon, so it's good to find ways to soothe the soul. I know what makes golf more attractive is having friends to golf with. Maybe join a 9 hole league? Good luck.

1 hour ago, Zippo said:

I, of course, wish you the best. Stay safe. While you're waiting to get your mojo back would you like to send me your clubs? I'd make sure they were cared for properly!  😁

Over the years, I’m pretty sure that I’ve wrung all of the bad shots out of them. 

12 minutes ago, Billy Z said:

Maybe join a 9 hole league? Good luck.

There’s nothing really close to me with last years big course closures, and most nine hole leagues are not played by actual rules. They’re really beer during leagues where they hit a ball around a field. If you want to play legit golf in this neck of the woods, you really need to join a private club. This doesn’t make a lot of sense since we plan to move south in a few years. 

A quick update. A week ago Sunday, we went to church and the man up front said some things that hit me hard. I've been dry for over a week now and have been to the gym almost every night. The knee has me limited, but I'm doing upper body work. It's better than nothing. The clubs are still in the shed. My son wants me to go to the range with him next weekend and help. Poor kid should get a real teacher some day.

Sounds like a good start, @CarlSpackler 👍

What's going on with your knee?  My right knee went all cattywampus on me a month ago. Took two weeks for it to recover enough for me to resume my workouts and my golf swing training. It's still not 100%.

Re: Your son. Maybe it's more than just golf? Maybe he wants to spend time with dad, too? 🙂

It stands to figure that a bum wheel would make golf a lot less appealing. One of the dumber things I've ever done is try to play through a sprained ankle. 

Our course closures really did suck, but there's still a lot of pretty solid courses not far away from you. 

Just my guess, but things will look different once the knee is functional.

9 hours ago, SEMI_Duffer said:

Sounds like a good start, @CarlSpackler 👍

What's going on with your knee?  My right knee went all cattywampus on me a month ago. Took two weeks for it to recover enough for me to resume my workouts and my golf swing training. It's still not 100%.

Re: Your son. Maybe it's more than just golf? Maybe he wants to spend time with dad, too? 🙂

This was in the previous Blog, but I tore some cartilage at work and now I am battling with workers comp and my employer. There was a hearing last Monday, and I am waiting on a decision. After that, my employer has 30 days to appeal. After that, my doctor has to put in for treatment which could be another month or 2.

48 minutes ago, mcanadiens said:

It stands to figure that a bum wheel would make golf a lot less appealing. One of the dumber things I've ever done is try to play through a sprained ankle. 

Our course closures really did suck, but there's still a lot of pretty solid courses not far away from you. 

Just my guess, but things will look different once the knee is functional.

I gave that some thought. I've had many injuries and pains over the year, and I've always tried to figure out how to play with the injury. I would even make a trip to a putting green to get some short game / putting in.

Bad knees?

I have 2 arthritic knees, but they get worse if I DON'T use them. I've found regular exercise (light weight at gym, walking) helps the most to keep me playing golf.  One knee had surgery, both have had multiple injections (steroids and symvisc).  If you're concerned about your knees, have you seen a doctor, had treatments???

Whatever else is going on, I hope it gets better for you.  Golf will be here for you when you're ready again.

Did you end up playing this summer?  At all?

Yes. Quite a bit actually