Why do You Want to Be Good at Golf?

[Old1964]

I like to play golf - love the swing, the adventure, the unknown!

That said, I want to play better golf as I enjoy it much more. I don't need to beat other people or show anyone up. Seems childish to do so. I like what Bagger Vance said - something along the idea that you can only play your best round. Still searching for that. Hope it is ahead or I have already had it and failed to enjoy it. 

[Flushed]

12 hours ago, Old1964 said:

I like to play golf - love the swing, the adventure, the unknown!

That said, I want to play better golf as I enjoy it much more. I don't need to beat other people or show anyone up. Seems childish to do so. I like what Bagger Vance said - something along the idea that you can only play your best round. Still searching for that. Hope it is ahead or I have already had it and failed to enjoy it. 

Sometimes our only competition is against ourselves. 

The best round is always the next one! 

[mohearn]

The exercise and social interaction is good for me. I like the competition, and want to be good (well... better..) because I want to enter competitions and challenge myself. 

[gerald463]

I always enjoyed playing sports outside. Baseball was my game, but as an adult, you can never find enough people to play. Was introduced to golf in my early teens and was always drawn to it, but would only play ever once in a while. Now, as I’ve gotten older, and my friends have started families, it’s very hard to even hang out with friends anymore. So started going golfing by myself, and just fell in love with the sense of aloneness and just me against the course and trying to overcome adversary. Now, as I’ve been playing more and more, Ive found myself being driven to improve my game (for one, if you lose less balls, it’s cheaper to play). 

[phan52]

I am committed to the game and it is far more enjoyable when I am playing well. We have a great range that makes it almost as enjoyable as playing. At my age, it is awesome that I can actually still get better.

Plus, I play for money, so there's that. 😎

[mohearn]

16 minutes ago, phan52 said:

Plus, I play for money, so there's that. 😎

Thinking about doing the same, small stakes. Emphasize small....  There's a Saturday morning skins, but that's for hundreds, and I'm both not good enough, and that's too much money for me. Nevertheless, I am thinking abut adding small $ to the routine. All the old pro's swear by it as a means to improve your game, Ray Floyd in his book, Trevino, they all advise it.

Have you found it sharpens your game?  

[Double Mocha Man]

8 minutes ago, mohearn said:

Have you found it sharpens your game?  

No.  I've played in some money games where there are four or five different bets going on... you need a friggin' accountant just to figure out who owes what.  For me it detracts from focusing on the swing and the course. Though I do play often with a friend and we put $100,000 on the match with all debts forgiven every January 1st.

Edited February 24, 2022 by Double Mocha Man

[nevets88]

At some point, you've invested so much time in it, it would be foolhardy to not build on all that work and becomes a part of your life.

[billchao]

6 hours ago, nevets88 said:

At some point, you've invested so much time in it, it would be foolhardy to not build on all that work and becomes a part of your life.

But we’re having fun, right? Right? 😉

[ChetlovesMer]

17 hours ago, phan52 said:

I am committed to the game and it is far more enjoyable when I am playing well. We have a great range that makes it almost as enjoyable as playing. At my age, it is awesome that I can actually still get better.

I think this is pretty much my answer. 

I enjoy competing in sports. As a grade-schooler (I won't mention where) when asked what my dream job would be I responded "I want to be Lynn Swann." Unfortunately, I can't run fast or jump high.

Plus, if I've said it once I've said it a million times. "Life is just plain better when you're hitting your driver well." 

[Philo]

On 2/6/2022 at 11:16 PM, mattthegolfer said:

Why do you want to be good at golf?

 

Impressing your buddies? Beating an old rival? Just not embarrass yourself on there?

What drives you?

 

 

None of the above.  I have buddies I can beat, and I have buddies who beat me like a drum.  I enjoy playing with both.  I think I just want to be as good as I can at whatever I do.  It's not just golf either.  I was the same way at tennis, darts, softball, and pool.  I practiced a lot to get as good as I could.  I think it is just more enjoyable to be good at whatever you do.  But, with golf Some of my 36+ handicap buddies have as much fun as anyone.  They want to be better, but it isn't a passion with them.

[phan52]

On 2/24/2022 at 12:44 PM, mohearn said:

Thinking about doing the same, small stakes. Emphasize small....  There's a Saturday morning skins, but that's for hundreds, and I'm both not good enough, and that's too much money for me. Nevertheless, I am thinking abut adding small $ to the routine. All the old pro's swear by it as a means to improve your game, Ray Floyd in his book, Trevino, they all advise it.

Have you found it sharpens your game?  

It certainly keeps me focused. If I have a poor front it is a motivation to get it in gear on the back rather than let it lead to further lackluster play. We don't play for a lot but it is enough for a nice dinner and a movie, but even just a few bucks is worth the bragging rights. So, yes, I believe it sharpens my game.