Is golf addicting??

[Lange]

Many people who begin this game start with the feeling that it isn't to hard of a sport. Yet once they start playing many get frustrated and play horrible. Though week after week they return to the courses playing golf even if they are not that good, and are always coming to the course with a smile on there face. What determines them to keep coming back even thought everytime they get mad? Ive seen many many many many golfers like this yet its like they have some hidden reason to come back. Is quitting just not an option or is this game simply addicting?

[FlopShotArtist]

Part of it is the atmosphere. As it goes, "A bad day on the golf course is better than a good day in the office."

[Dent]

Its the strive to get better. The beginners have the mentality "This is the day, this is the day I do good" They want to become better, and most are smart enough to know, that coming to the course week after week is gonna do it. They know skill will gain as they come.

They love the game, they enjoy the air, the sounds, the sights, the time away from the wife? This is a lifelong game, I can guarantee you that this game is the game you will play the longest out of all the sports you've played, and while youre at it, you might as well have fun.

[Guest]

Many people who begin this game start with the feeling that it isn't to hard of a sport. Yet once they start playing many get frustrated and play horrible. Though week after week they return to the courses playing golf even if they are not that good, and are always coming to the course with a smile on there face. What determines them to keep coming back even thought everytime they get mad? Ive seen many many many many golfers like this yet its like they have some hidden reason to come back. Is quitting just not an option or is this game simply addicting?

I think it is because it is by far the hardest sport I have ever played. I always played football, wrestled, and ran track in HS. I was really good at all of them and excelled without trying very hard. I played golf every now and then but just recently started playing hardcore. I struggle so much its not even funny. The more I play the more I am determined to become a stratch golfer...I guess only time will tell if that ever happens

[cvlngineer]

I have been playing for a year, and it is the most addicting game that I have ever experienced. The others have hit the nail on the head. Every time I go out, I think that this will be the day.... a few times it has been and those days are priceless. There are no words to express the feeling you have when everything is working and you can hit the ball with the shape and distance that you picture in your mind.

What a game!

[drs6222]

For me, sports is all about getting better and better, and golf always keeps me coming.

But more of the experience of being out on a nice course is what gets me

[Craig Mac]

Making a hole in one for me was a blessing and a curse, greatest moment of my sporting life and now I am stuck playing this damn game forever in search of another one . I will go out like Jack Lemmon in " The Legend of Bagger Vance "

[golf_junkie27]

Golf is unlike any sport I've ever played as no two days are ever alike. You could play the same course over and over and you may never play it the same way. For me, that's part of the draw. "Can I repeat a really good round?"

That plus all the onus being on me makes it such a great game.

[Joe92385]

It's not addicting... I can quit anytime I want to, I swear...

[MunkeyGolfer]

It's addicting. When I go a week without playing, I start shaking and get uncontrollable urges to grab what ever I can that resembles a golf club and start swinging it.

[GOLFSALOT00]

"A bad day on the golf course is better than a good day in the office."

thats what keeps me coming back that and the never satisfied edge to top my own best

[ZaPPPa]

Yes. I think that walking around in beatiful weather will make any bad shot feel a little better. I also know from experience that one long, straight drive or one 100+ yard pitch close to the pin will undo 17 holes of frustration in an instant.. at least for me it does.

Yesterday I went out to the course after not having been able to due to a strained right Serratas muscle (six weeks ago).. I promptly strained my left one and my back (probably Teres Major) to boot. I got extremely frustrated and I vowed to not set foot on a golf course again for at least eight weeks..

So, here I am the next morning and I have my eye on a 5W in the course pro-shop that's an absolute steal.. and I'm thinking about doing some putting during rehabilitation.. and maybe some chipping.. and... and...

[teal]

I used to golf a bit 3 years ago. Got back on the track this year. My second time out, golfing and it went to crap. I quit golfing on hole 4 and basically walked around with my brother who continued his round. We still went to another place to do another 9 and I golfed it out there. I lost 11 balls on 13 holes. I still could only think of golfing some more.

It is addicting.

[Dent]

I love how although a bad game isn't fun, but deep down you know, you learn from your experiences, Bad shot after bad shot, youre still enjoying making contact with the ball.

You still have the positive thoughts "I'm going to hit this one good, I'm going to hit this one good"

[roverT7]

There was an article in the New York Times last year comparing golf to poker. The premise of the article? The rush that a single good shot brings to the average golfer is very similar to the rush a habitual gambler feels over the occasional winning bet. They thought is was an addiction.

I think the game is a challenge, and the method of scoring creates an intense desire to get better. And for those who are not great players (i.e., they shoot high scores that are not worth keeping track of), there are so many other "objective" challenges in the game:

- how far do you hit your drive?
- how far do you hit your irons?
- can you put backspin on a ball?
- can you get up and down from a bunker?

Beyond this, the atmosphere provided during a round of golf with your 3 buddies is very difficult to duplicate. So for me, I don't know that the game is addictive, as much as it is challenging and rewarding on so many levels.

Rob

[teal]

The best thing about golf is everything but the game itself. Afternoon with the fellas, outside in the sun followed by drinks and BS. Nothing gets much better than that.

[CG031]

It is for sure. I can't go more than a day without playing in the Summer.

Once you have the bug it is great. lol.

[Dent]

It is for sure. I can't go more than a day without playing in the Summer.

But what If it rains?