Do you have a breaking point?

[double_j]

A quick hypothetical that some might find unfathomable...

Do you think you have a breaking point skill-wise where you'd just decide to hang up your clubs permanently and take up a different hobby?

One of my friends used to be a very good player (<4 handicap) but marriage, kids, etc. over the past few years has understandably limited the amount of time he can spend on the game. Whereas he used to be a twice a week golfer, he now only has time to really get in maybe 27 holes a month (and rarely 18 consecutive) with zero range time. When he does get out, he's playing only slightly better than bogey golf.

He still enjoys playing with those of us still 'into' the game but really doesn't have the same drive or passion for the game that most of us on the board exhibit. When I ask him why, his response is usually something like "The game just isn't fun for me anymore. I used to play really good golf and end up more frustrated than anything else that I can't do what I used to do. I play with you guys because I like hanging out, etc. but since I know I don't have the time to get back where I used to be, I'd rather devote my energy on other things."

I'd like to say that I wouldn't have the same attitude, but we've all had those slumps and blow up rounds that leave you questioning why you spend so much time, effort, and money on the game. I honestly don't think I'd play anymore either if I knew that pretty much every round was going to feel like that.

For me, I'd guess that my breaking point would be slightly worse than bogey golf. If life circumstances limited my practice and/or playing time such that I'd consistently score greater than 90, I really don't know if the motivation would be there to continue on with the game.

I know this sounds spoiled, etc. given the many stories out there of people who have overcome tragedy to play the game, but I believe it's an honest and realistic question. What say you? Do you think you have a breaking point where you'd just say good-bye to the game?

[kpaulhus]

Im going to play this game until the day I die . Regardless of score.

[Kieran123]

Mine may be at the end of the next season. If I am not breaking 80 consistently I will maybe break.....but I am too competitive to just stop playing...if it frustrates me I just wanna get better.....so it's hard to say.

I don't know if I could just stop playing, maybe just practice more.

In his case he can't, so, it would be frustrating as hell.

[BostonSully]

I play the game because its awesome. I worked on a course for 5 years before I started playing and during that time I realized, I just like being out there. I could skull a ball 10 times down the fairway and score a 15 on a par5 and still be having a great time doing. Score doesnt bother me too much. Unless its for $$$ but thats another thing entirely.

[Jonnydanger81]

I can see the OP's point about his friend though. If you know what it takes for you personally to be at the level you want to play at and you don't have time to get there, then it may not be worth it for you. The frusteration of playing so poorly after playing well for a few years consistently would probably be enough to drive me away from the game, especially if it was a choice between golf and family, like it seems the OP's friend had to choose timewise. Golf, even at a casual level, requires more time and money than probably any other sport besides maybe hockey, but that's almost strictly because of "rink time" and such.

[BostonSully]

I can see the OP's point about his friend though. If you know what it takes for you personally to be at the level you want to play at and you don't have time to get there, then it may not be worth it for you. The frusteration of playing so poorly after playing well for a few years consistently would probably be enough to drive me away from the game, especially if it was a choice between golf and family, like it seems the OP's friend had to choose timewise. Golf, even at a casual level, requires more time and money than probably any other sport besides maybe hockey, but that's almost strictly because of "rink time" and such.

Actually at my level Hockey is one of the easiest quickest sports going. Rink in my town 1hr on ice 20mins to dress/undress no dif than going to a gym really.

[shades9323]

A quick hypothetical that some might find unfathomable...

Nope, does't matter how bad I get, I will still play and have fun.

[Fourputt]

Im going to play this game

I'm going to play until I go to paradise.... about 3 years from now. That's when my wife plans to retire and we move into our beach house in the Bahamas. No golf course on the island, the nearest one is 60 miles across the ocean at the Sandals Resort on Great Exuma where the Big Break is playing now... $250 a round for non-guests. I'll take up fishing instead.

But while my game isn't where it once was (and I may take an occasional week off in frustration), I mostly still play as often as I can and I still love the game. Just got back 3 days ago from a golfing road trip to Idaho and Montana.... 1800 miles and 5 rounds in 5 days. I'm also playing the next 2 days, one day off, then the Senior Club Championship for 2 days. In between I'm working today and Friday in the starter booth at my course. So I guess I haven't found a breaking point yet.

[Koth]

I can understand the frustation of being really good at something, and then losing your skill because you haven't been able to play as often as you used to. I think if it ever got to that point in golf, I would just stop keeping score. Just go out and enjoy the round and not focus on birdies and bogeys.

[shades9323]

I can see the OP's point about his friend though. If you know what it takes for you personally to be at the level you want to play at and you don't have time to get there, then it may not be worth it for you. The frusteration of playing so poorly after playing well for a few years consistently would probably be enough to drive me away from the game, especially if it was a choice between golf and family, like it seems the OP's friend had to choose timewise. Golf, even at a casual level, requires more time and money than probably any other sport besides maybe hockey, but that's almost strictly because of "rink time" and such.

A hockey season(23games) for me is cheaper than a summer of golf. I pay more for my golf league, which is about 16 9 hole rounds and 1 18 hole round, than I do for my hockey league. And that doesn't even count the other numerous times I play golf in the summer.

[kpaulhus]

Yeah, golf is much more expensive than hockey....my typical hockey season is 20 games and runs about $450....Ill spend that much in a month golfing.

[iacas]

Yeah, golf is much more expensive than hockey....my typical hockey season is 20 games and runs about $450....Ill spend that much in a month golfing.

If you figure your cost per hour, then hockey starts to look more expensive. I play hockey too - having a jersey discussion in the background right now with my team's captain - and we pay about $400 for the year, get 20 games or so plus playoffs, but the games are 45 minutes. Golf lasts six hours!

(Six is an exaggeration, but you get the point.)

[sean_miller]

The sport (hobby) isn't cheap. It takes a lot of time to play in general, and even more when you factor in practice and travel. I love spending time with my family and my friends. Fewer and fewer of my friends are playing golf, and I'm neither good enough nor patient enough to play it competively (or rather, I don't enjoy the scrutiny on every action while I'm playing by the rules and then having to watch other players like a hawk because of gamesmanship and blatant cheating - no thank you).

If my daughter decides she doesn't want to play, my wife doesn't get back into the game (shoulder problems), and my brother decides not to get back into it (wish I had his natural talent) I may be done. Life is too short to play a sport that I peaked at years ago with people I either don't know or wish I didn't.

My family is getting more into camping and canoeing, especially with waterways and parks in jeopardy of being inaccessible in the next few years. Personally I love golf and would love to play it until I die, but given a choice I'd rather buy a nicer canoe, and spend the weekend on the water, camping over night along the river, with my family, than spend the weekend alone chasing a little white ball.

[double_j]

If you figure your cost per hour, then hockey starts to look more expensive. I play hockey too - having a jersey discussion in the background right now with my team's captain - and we pay about $400 for the year, get 20 games or so plus playoffs, but the games are 45 minutes. Golf lasts six hours!

Having played throughout high school, I can definitely agree with the fact that hockey is a bit too pricey for me to consider as a 'casual' hobby. The timing also stinks with odd ice times, etc.

Golf might be more expensive from an absolute spend perspective over the course of a season but at least you parse that money out in small increments. It's up to you to keep spending or not - hockey requires you to pay the whole nut up front.

[kpaulhus]

If you figure your cost per hour, then hockey starts to look more expensive. I play hockey too - having a jersey discussion in the background right now with my team's captain - and we pay about $400 for the year, get 20 games or so plus playoffs, but the games are 45 minutes. Golf lasts six hours!

Man I miss the jersey talks lol. We were sponsored by hooters and had a huge set of boobs on the front of our jerseys and we had to get rid of them because it was a "family atmosphere" at the rink lol.

I like to drink after my round of golf, but there is nothing like having a cold one in the locker room after you take of your gloves/elbow pads. and I have played 45mins hockey games, but as of recent we have been playing 15min stop periods so the games usually last about an hour n 15 mins. I hate that 20min run time crap.

[double_j]

Man I miss the jersey talks lol. We were sponsored by hooters and had a huge set of boobs on the front of our jerseys and we had to get rid of them because it was a "family atmosphere" at the rink lol.

Unless you haven't washed/aired out said gloves or elbow pads in a while. If that's the case, then I want nothing to do with food or beverage in the locker room!

[Leftygolfer]

Yeah I think I do. If I get to the point where I don't shoot around 80 anymore b/c I can't play consistantly for whatever reason, I really don't want to play anymore. I just don't think going out, playing bad twice a month to be fun. I've come close to wanting to be done this year but I then see glimses of hope and I'm hooked again. It is hard to get out enough to get the consistancy I had a year or two ago.

[DavidFehertysBike]

If i win the state am, or any other major am title ill probably just leave my clubs on the 18th green and never play again...lol.