I hate the "sport"

[Kapanda]

I am just beginning to play golf, and I'm doing it purely because it is good for business!

I probably would've quit by now if I didn't think it was important... it's just too hard to hit that damn ball properly to continue playing this forsaken game!

At the same time, I wish I had nothing else to do so I could go out there and improve my swing... I curse and curse when I'm on the driving range (for reasons by now obvious), but I don't want to leave neither. I feel like swinging at the thing until I get it perfect.

I guess this was just a bit of a rant. I'm told that once I "get it", I'll love the game.

Did all of you fall in love with the game straight away?

[darkhunter139]

Yeah I fell in love with it right away even when I shanked every other shot.  If you really hate the game I don't think there is a chance you are going to stick with it long enough to improve.

If I didn't enjoy playing I wouldn't do it.

[Kapanda]

You might be right, but I doubt it. I've actually increased my golf outings, and would increase it even more if I didn't have other stuff more important to do.

[Jarrod Putnam]

I always would be furious when I first began playing. It is hard at first, but hitting a golf ball how you want...well...that is a good feeling...hard to explain haha. Nothing else is the same as hearing that crisp clean shot.

[elementz]

I absolutely love this game and I suck....can't break 100 but I have a feeling this will be my breakthrough year if I can get out and play more...like they say, it's those certain shots that always keep you coming back.

[carpediem4300]

ive loved golf since i could walk,...always had plastic kiddy golf sets, i bought my own set from money i earnt when i was 9 - a really old set of hogan blades,....used them in my grandparents field, couldnt hit it for toffey, but kept at it

i missed playing from the age of about 11 to 17 due to not being able to get to a course/ field/ anywhere

whenever i visited my grandparents id spend all day int he field hitting balls.

when i passed my driving test the first thing i did was buy a cheap set of SGI irons and hit the range/golf course hard,...almsot everyday

and i sucked for ages, and ages and ages, but getting better now some 6 years on

its one of the things in life ive always had a deep passion for and given the chance i would practice, learn and play every day,....i sometimes wish my parents had picked up on my passion and pushed me with it, helped me get lesson and join a club,...i reckon id be quite a low capper by now had they done so,......

but hey ho,...i still love the game, ill still practice every spare moment and play as much as my bank balance will let me

[MEfree]

gotta be the most frustrating sport out there...good luck!

[Kapanda]

Originally Posted by carpediem4300

ive loved golf since i could walk,...always had plastic kiddy golf sets, i bought my own set from money i earnt when i was 9 - a really old set of hogan blades,....used them in my grandparents field, couldnt hit it for toffey, but kept at it

i missed playing from the age of about 11 to 17 due to not being able to get to a course/ field/ anywhere

whenever i visited my grandparents id spend all day int he field hitting balls.

when i passed my driving test the first thing i did was buy a cheap set of SGI irons and hit the range/golf course hard,...almsot everyday

and i sucked for ages, and ages and ages, but getting better now some 6 years on

its one of the things in life ive always had a deep passion for and given the chance i would practice, learn and play every day,....i sometimes wish my parents had picked up on my passion and pushed me with it, helped me get lesson and join a club,...i reckon id be quite a low capper by now had they done so,......

but hey ho,...i still love the game, ill still practice every spare moment and play as much as my bank balance will let me

The players in this game have such longevity... can't believe it isn't possible anymore for you to go pro to some capacity! You're around 23 I would assume (by what you wrote)?

[Kapanda]

Shouldn't be, but I'm hitting the range today! YOLO!

[carpediem4300]

Originally Posted by Kapanda

The players in this game have such longevity... can't believe it isn't possible anymore for you to go pro to some capacity! You're around 23 I would assume (by what you wrote)?

im 24 at the minute

its a lovely thoughy, but i struggle to practice twice a week, and play around twice a month at present, im struggling to keep my handicap at 17.1! lol

Id need atleast 4 hours a day, with multiple hours of lessons per week to get to any sort of decent standard, of which i dont have time nor the money

can keep dreaming though, if i won the lottery id persue it for sure

[David in FL]

Gotta admit, I've loved it from the first time I picked up a club, and that's getting close to 50 years ago now.....

One word of caution.....I don't know that anyone ever "gets it".  At least not in the sense that the silly game becomes any less of a frustration.

As your skills improve, the level of frustration still seems to remain the same because expectations change.  I promise you, I still get just as annoyed and frustrated at myself if don't break 80 (happens all too often) or if I miss the correct tier of the green with a wedge in my hand, as another golfer might get for shooting 110 or dribbling a shot off the tee.  A tour pro who doesn't make the cut is frustrated and pissed off, even though he likely shot a 36 hole score that I can only dream about.

It's a confounding game......but it's an equal opportunity abuser.   That's one of the reasons we love it!

[AmazingWhacker]

I was obsessed with golf from the get-go and played all the time.  I watched it on TV all the time, as well (still do).  A funny thing happened over the years, though.  As I spent more time practicing and getting better I spent less time going to the course.  I was telling my buddy just the other day that I go to the range 2-3 times per week and am finally happy with the way I'm hitting it except I have no real desire to go play on the course.  I am pretty happy just smashing balls on the range.

To actually play golf takes time and money.  Especially time.  Who has 6 hours to try and play 18 holes at the local muni?  I know I don't.  Last time I played I went out for 9 and quit on hole 7 because the play was too slow.  I can get to the range and back within an hour.

[sebsmash]

I only started play a month or two ago, but I already love the game! Something about it relaxes me and I don't feel any stresses while playing. Though it is frustrating when my tee shots occasionally fly into another fairway, the feeling of a solid iron shot cannot be beat. When I hit a wedge from 50 yards out within putting distance from the flag I remember why I enjoy this game so much. If only it wasnt so expensive

[jetsknicks1]

Golf is a weird game, in that it just gets a hold of you and won't let go. If I was as bad as anything else in my life as I am at golf, I would've quit long, long ago. Yet here I am, going out again this weekend in an attempt (Yet again) to hit the ball the way I want. I know that I'll have a few really nice shots followed by a whole lot of really bad shots. But as soon as the round is over, I'll start planning the next one.

[dak4n6]

Golf is the most beautiful game ever. Period.

I don't trust people who have played and don't like it.

Some reasons why golf is the greatest game:

1. Being on the course on a beautiful spring morning is pure aesthetic overload

2. The sight, feel, and sound of a well struck ball are better than sex

3. It's one of the best ways to acquire discipline and patience

4. It's a mysterious combination of violence/power, and control/forebearance

5. Being 'on' (in the zone) in golf is a much deeper, zen-like experience than in any other sport

6. Beer tastes so good after a round

7. Golf clubs are the most beautiful sports equipment (besides maybe a really fast road bike or a racing shell)

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by Kapanda

I probably would've quit by now if I didn't think it was important... it's just too hard to hit that damn ball properly to continue playing this forsaken game!

At the same time, I wish I had nothing else to do so I could go out there and improve my swing... I curse and curse when I'm on the driving range (for reasons by now obvious), but I don't want to leave neither.

Everybody is different.  I am a halfway decent player (by occasional recreational player standards) so its usually pretty enjoyable for me.  Although I shot a horrible 94 (81-82 is typical for me) a couple of weeks ago and I can easily see wanting to give up the game if that became the norm, because it was not fun.

On the other hand ... my dad is completely obsessed with the game even though he stinks.  We watches golf channel 24/7 basically, plays whenever he can, rarely breaks 100, AND everytime we play he always gets mad and seems like he's miserable out there.  Yet, he's ready to go every weekend.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by dak4n6

2. The sight, feel, and sound of a well struck ball are better than sex

Ummm, no.

[Yukari]

I fell in love with this game the very first time I went out, and I haven't looked back since.  Golf is like a mistress.  When you don't pay attention to the game, you will suffer.  When you think you got it all figured out, it will bite you in the a$$ (i.e., your swing goes to hell).