Do you really enjoy the "game"?

[Bullitt5339]

After getting back into golf after a long time off, I do a lot of observing people when they're on the course, and watching what people post here on the forums, and have come to wonder how many people actually enjoy themselves when they're playing golf?

When I go out on the course, I'm never by myself. I'm always with a friend or three. We abide by etiquette, and don't harrass or bother anyone else on the course. We do however, talk a lot of smack, make fun of each other's shots, and each other, and generally have a lot of fun. We try to play our best, but if we make bad shots, they're usually followed by comments like: "Well, I could always be at work".

I see people on the course complaining about slow play when the course is packed, and there's groups lines up as far as you can see. They still seem to blame the guys directly in front of them. These also seem to be the guys that play the worst, and say things like "Come on!!! Just hit the ball!!!" to the group in front of them, and then they'll shank it into the woods and go look for it for 10 minutes.

I hear people complain about people they're playing with "cheating" during casual rounds of golf. If there's no money on the line WHO CARES???? They're only lying to themselves anyways.

Sorry to rant, but it seems everywhere that I'm around golf, it's always near people complaining about someone else, or their game. Just wondering if anyone just goes out like I do, doesn't care about their handicap so much, and just really enjoys playing and being around friends. It's a game, it's supposed to be fun, why doesn't anyone act like it anymore?

[right handed phil mickelson]

It does get a little out of hand sometimes. I am one of those persons that hassles the group in front of me if they're playing really slow. I only do this though, if the group in front of me is the group that's holding everyone up.

I HAVE FUN.

That's what I've been trying to do on the course since my big blow up. A few weeks ago I had a bad round of golf. Admittedly, I shot a 78, but it was on track for a 72 if it hadn't been for those triples on the last few holes. Anyway, I broke my club over my knee, and I learned from that. Since then, I have given it my best effort to control my temper, and actually try and have fun on the course. In between shots that is :). When I step up to the ball, no talking.

Since then I have dropped about 2-3 strokes off my game. So, moral is, HAVE FUN.

You'll play better.

Trust me.

I'm an expert.

[kregan]

I would say I enjoy myself on the course...

I almost always go out alone, most of the time I get paired with strangers. I have learned to just roll with it and have fun. I play my own game and talk if they want to talk or stay quite if that is what they want.

Slow play can be frustrating at times but getting all worked up about it will not solve the problem.

[MX 876]

We only complain because we care! Just kidding. I tend to not worry much about other groups, but always try to enjoy myself with the people I'm playing with - even if I've never met them before. Of course, I don't really compete anymore or play for money, but even when I did, there were always laughs to be had. I know that sometimes the ignorance of others or the way we're playing can have us a little hot under the collar, but I don't think it should ruin the day.

Bottom line: We're just wasting a lot of time and money if we're not having fun right?

[mc0388]

I would say I enjoy myself on the course...

I completely agree. Sometimes I make tee times with out my usual golf buddies. Its refreshing to get away from my normal routine and play with complete strangers. It feels nostalgic or humbling.

[n8dogg2669]

i do enjoy the game. I used to get all mad at myself and want to be shooting par, but I have come to the realization that my game is what it is. I like to practice and try to play better, but if i shoot a 90 or a 70 I still have fun. I also play with people i like so i enjoy the company.

[MiniMoe]

I don't care if you shoot 120, you are welcome in my group as long as you keep pace, realize your abilities and not act like a pro and take 20 practice swings on every shot and top it, and enjoy the game. I make it a point not to play with better players that are either negative, too results oriented, or just plain no fun to be around when they hit a bad shot.

A few afternoons a week, we get a group of guys and play wolf, umbrella, or whatever. We play 50 cent points and dollar skins.. validated.. so no one really gets hurt. We heckle all the way round the golf course, but when it's time to hit a ball, we shut the F up and let someone do their best. We love to mention the long carry over water, or the O.B. left, or how long that three footer really is. But it's all in good fun. If on a particular day someone is not playing good at all, we don't rub it in, but you have to be having a pretty bad day for us to lighten up. But we have one rule... if you can dish it out, you better be able to take it.. otherwise keep your mouth shut.

What is real fun is when we play the BMW Rule. (Bitch, Moan, and Whine). If after a shot beg for the ball to stop, or pretty much talk to your ball at all, we can make you replay the shot. So if you skull one across the green and yell, "Bite", and the ball hits the flag and goes in.... well, hope you can do it again, because we will make you. Our group gets real quiet when we play that, but it's fun late when you forget and have to replay a 10 footer that goes in because you blurted out.

[MX 876]

I don't care if you shoot 120, you are welcome in my group as long as you keep pace, realize your abilities and not act like a pro and take 20 practice swings on every shot and top it, and enjoy the game. I make it a point not to play with better players that are either negative, too results oriented, or just plain no fun to be around when they hit a bad shot.

I love this, your guaranteed to have a good time with this approach.

[Zeph]

Would I spent thousands of $, hundreds of hours and effort on something I do not enjoy? I don't think so.

[leezer99]

Personally, I enjoy hanging with my buddies more than golf. Golf is just a bonus piece to the equation.

[Leftygolfer]

I do wonder about the hacks who get so upset when they are playing bad. They always play bad and why they still play doesn't make sense.

I admittly have been frustrated and have acted in a way I am not proud of. It doesn't lead to better golf, more fun, or anything positive.

I do like to joke and have fun when we are playing. The only thing I want is to have it be quiet and not feel rushed. I am not a slow nor fast player. On the greens I have routine that works for me and effective. I don't take tiger time (slow as sh*t) but I do line it up, verify, practice stroke from outside 5 feet.

Back to topic, people should have fun and not take there bad shots so personally. If you can't enjoy playing poorly, get a new hobby. The best in the world have bad days.

[I <3 Titleist]

After getting back into golf after a long time off, I do a lot of observing people when they're on the course, and watching what people post here on the forums, and have come to wonder how many people actually enjoy themselves when they're playing golf?

Theres absolutely nothing I enjoy more in life at my current state, than being on the golf course with a cooler of beer and my 3 good friends.

Whether the course is packed, or wet or I'm having a bad day, it doesn't really matter. Always have a blast.

[vaborn7795]

Made those that get mad or frustraded with there game still find playing a release.

Made being upset at there game is better than thinking about the stress at work, the kids hassling for money, the wife nagging, or the millions of other things that can make life tough at times.

[Zeph]

Made those that get mad or frustraded with there game still find playing a release.

Made = Maybe?

Golf is probably the most annyoing and satisfying game I've ever played.

[misty_mountainhop]

I don't care if you shoot 120, you are welcome in my group as long as you keep pace, realize your abilities and not act like a pro and take 20 practice swings on every shot and top it, and enjoy the game. I make it a point not to play with better players that are either negative, too results oriented, or just plain no fun to be around when they hit a bad shot.

Wolf? Umbrella? Care to add some detail? Always up for a new game during a round.

As for your BMW rule....superb. I am definitely going to suggest we try this one next time out .

[vaborn7795]

Yeah...should have been Maybe...MAYBE, i should have not skip school on spelling day :)

[brgolf]

My least enjoyable moments have usually come from the conduct of others on the course mainly involving adults who seem to revel in using the rules as an excuse to mistreat young people. I'm an adult now of course but until you are about 55, play off a 28 handicap, drive a Mercedes and have a $2k set of irons you just don't get respect at some places.

The best or worst such incident, depending on your perspective, was one day when I laid up to a green perhaps 50 yards short. The old barsteward in the group ahead made his way to the front of the green to retrieve his trolley and walked towards the next tee. He glanced back round only to see 2 balls including the one at my feet, and of course the first thought that crossed his mind was that I was breaking a rule. Now I don't know about you guys but I think I'd actually want to see someone physically hitting 2 balls on more than one occasion to rule out them hitting a provisional. Even then I would not give a hoot about what someone in the group behind me was doing.

Naturally he decided to berate me for this and was only stopped whenever his wife pointed out to him that the second ball was his as it had fallen out of his own pocket seconds earlier while he was leaving the green. Now there was no apology forthcoming but I was a bit too young at the time to respond in a confrontational manner. I might have a few choice words for such a person these days.

[sean_miller]

Yeah...should have been Maybe...MAYBE, i should have not skip school on spelling day :)

It was a two part course - day two was grammar related.

LOLS - I love golf. I registered on a golf related website and BS with people from all over the world about a "game" I love. For those who started the game 20+ years ago, like me, how "science fiction" would this have seemed back then?