Don't take golf too seriously...

[adamgoodman]

There are bigger things in life.

The less seriously I take the game, the better I play.

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by adamgoodman

There are bigger things in life.

The less seriously I take the game, the better I play.

This is pretty generic....

"Don't work out. I don't work out and I have a high metabolism". Your theory may not work for everyone, just saying. I like to take the game seriously and also have fun at the same time. I think you mean, "Don't become a nuisance or an a-hole and cuss and throw clubs and ruin the game for me when you're out there". There's a difference between Serious and Psychotic.

[adamgoodman]

I guess.  Mainly I'm trying to say that golfers often forget that we are all just playing a game.

[DocWu1948]

There is truly some bigger and more serious stuff/crap in my life, so I play golf to get blissfully away from it two or three times a week.

[Goonsidious]

In order to focus..i need to take each shot seriously. If i dont, mechanics get thrown out the window and i get no production. Saying that.. i never gripe over a poor shot or blow a fuse. I love the game and enjoy the moment with pals. Plenty of time for jokes and a good time in-between shots.

[NuclearMike]

I play and practice to get away from the rest of the stuff that otherwise tends to dominate my days.  Golf is the one thing that I do that just lets me forget about reality for a while.  If I get mad at my play I just remind myself that I'm not really good enough to get upset, although those shots are getting fewer and farther between the more I practice.

[BioGolfNebraska]

I play golf for the same reason I switched from listening to NPR in the morning to listening to ESPN radio.  It is sometimes comforting to believe that the biggest problem in the country right now is whether the Jets will start Sanchez or Tebow.  Similarly, when I'm golfing on a Saturday morning, silly things such as "make it over that tree on the left", "don't slice it into the water", and "don't let this hilly green cause a 3 putt" all seem like the most critical issues in the world.  I agree that you can't take golf too seriously, because it certainly makes me play better.  But it is sometimes very relaxing to have a lot of interest in the outcome of such silly things (golf, sports, etc.) to take your mind off the stresses of work for a little while.  When I do get into work, I have important decisions to make that really do have serious impacts.  The golf course is a great place to forget that.

When I completely shank my driver hit into a bush that is 15 feet away from the tee box on a 410 yard par 4, I can just laugh and say "that was less than optimal".  It really helps the recovery shots and to make it not a "wasted round".  Believe it or not, I have done this on this hole and still walked away with a very proud 6.

[Fourputt]

The only reason for most of us to be playing golf is to have fun.  However, that goal is achieved in different ways by different players.  Those who know me here and on the course know that I only enjoy it if I'm playing by the rules.  Other players have the peculiar notion that "fun" and "rules" are mutually exclusive terms.  I've gotten odd looks when I play a provisional ball in a casual round, yet almost all of the people I play with regularly would do the same.  Some would say that we play too seriously, but I dispute that sort of generic tagging.  We play seriously, but we also have a blast when we play - laughing, joking, and good natured ribbing - so we can't be taking it too seriously, can we?

[dsc123]

Focus is important, but don't get too bent out of shape over the results.

[jetsknicks1]

Originally Posted by BioGolfNebraska

I play golf for the same reason I switched from listening to NPR in the morning to listening to ESPN radio.  It is sometimes comforting to believe that the biggest problem in the country right now is whether the Jets will start Sanchez or Tebow.  Similarly, when I'm golfing on a Saturday morning, silly things such as "make it over that tree on the left", "don't slice it into the water", and "don't let this hilly green cause a 3 putt" all seem like the most critical issues in the world.  I agree that you can't take golf too seriously, because it certainly makes me play better.  But it is sometimes very relaxing to have a lot of interest in the outcome of such silly things (golf, sports, etc.) to take your mind off the stresses of work for a little while.  When I do get into work, I have important decisions to make that really do have serious impacts.  The golf course is a great place to forget that.

When I completely shank my driver hit into a bush that is 15 feet away from the tee box on a 410 yard par 4, I can just laugh and say "that was less than optimal".  It really helps the recovery shots and to make it not a "wasted round".  Believe it or not, I have done this on this hole and still walked away with a very proud 6.

Amen brother! I don't know about anybody else but I'm not good enough to take it too seriously. Sure I get frustrated on the course at times but I look at golf as a way to get away from the stresses of daily life ang hang with the fellas for a while.

BTW, Sanchez will start. GO JETS!

[TourSpoon]

Don't forget we PLAY golf, not WORK golf. There is a reason they call us players!

[kris]

The point is not "don't concentrate and immerse yourself in your game", but "don't obsess over it to the point that it becomes a chore". I see way too many people who act as if it's their god given right to play perfectly and get pissed off when they don't. In that vain, relax and don't take it too seriously...

[Stretch]

Maybe I'm a little twisted, but I enjoy taking golf seriously. I get a lot of satisfaction from working to gain a better understanding of the intellectual, physical and spiritual conundrums that this stupid ****ing game constantly presents to me. What I try hard to to not do is take myself too seriously. If I'm producing manky shots on the range, I don't worry about about what the guy at the next station thinks. If I'm having a particularly lousy round out on the course, I don't fret that the friend of a friend in our four ball may be mentally tagging me as a vanity capper. It's my process and I'm the only one, ultimately, who really gives a single shit about how I hit a golf ball.

[ThominOH]

I know this seems to be a lil off topic.. but.

I would LOVE to see 1 PGA Tour event where it isn't taken so serious.. meaning,  NO CADDY or any of that other fancy dancy stuff.. Give the pro's a pull cart and go golf.. OH.. let them wear whatever they want to wear within reason..

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by Stretch

Maybe I'm a little twisted, but I enjoy taking golf seriously. I get a lot of satisfaction from working to gain a better understanding of the intellectual, physical and spiritual conundrums that this stupid ****ing game constantly presents to me. What I try hard to to not do is take myself too seriously. If I'm producing manky shots on the range, I don't worry about about what the guy at the next station thinks. If I'm having a particularly lousy round out on the course, I don't fret that the friend of a friend in our four ball may be mentally tagging me as a vanity capper. It's my process and I'm the only one, ultimately, who really gives a single shit about how I hit a golf ball.

You are a little twisted but that is besides the point. I plan to incorporate the use of the word "manky" immediately in my regular four ball this Saturday.

I agree with taking golf seriously versus taking yourself too seriously as there is a difference. No one else really cares. Good post.

[Spyder]

"2 things in life that you don't talk to other people about.... your Fantasy Football team and your golf game. Nobody gives a damn!" - my Father-in-Law

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by TourSpoon

You are a little twisted but that is besides the point. I plan to incorporate the use of the word "manky" immediately in my regular four ball this Saturday.

I agree with taking golf seriously versus taking yourself too seriously as there is a difference. No one else really cares. Good post.

Thanks man. Next on the self-actualization list is addressing my habitual, excessive use of italicization for emphasis.

PS: I was in Tequesta all last week and thought about PMing you, but was worried you'd judge me for not bringing my golf clubs.

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by Stretch

Thanks man. Next on the self-actualization list is addressing my habitual, excessive use of italicization for emphasis.

PS: I was in Tequesta all last week and thought about PMing you, but was worried you'd judge me for not bringing my golf clubs.

I played up in Martin County last week so we may have passed on I-95.

No judging, I am sure it is some cash to lug those babies from South Africa. Just remember for next time that I have a set that is a 1/2" long and one degree up if you need some sticks.