Best Part of Golf?

[lamebums]

Sort of a parallel to Golf Problems and Pet Peeves , Future Obstacles to Golf , and Quitting Golf , what is the best part of golf? Above all, what one aspect of the game do you truly enjoy the most, above all others?

Personally, for me, it's the social aspect. I can live with playing like a total hack as long as I'm with my buddies, or better, playing a round with my father. Good shots come in a close second. Nothing that makes you feel more like you could make it on Tour when you stick a long iron to three feet or less.

[Shindig]

The challenge got me into it and is a close second, but the fitness keeps me there. I'm in better shape than I've ever been in my life. The physical benefits of golf run well into the rest of my life.

[popey]

It the one shot you will hit a round that is as good as Tiger Woods, may it be smoking a drive or hitting an approach close or sinking a difficult putt. It is the feeling from these shots that keep a golfer playing.

Although the social aspect is a close second as I have met many great and different people through the wonderful game of golf.

[r7 425]

The best part of golf is that it is an individual game and you cant blame anyone else but yourself. Thats what i enjoy because it brings you closer to your concience

[hawkeye]

good poll - well done! some positivity never did anyone any harm!

i went for outoors/physical - but its as much this as getting away from workplace/stress etc!

Our coach in college (Ireland National coach also) posed this question to us at our last group session: why do you play golf? The answers were the above mostly - but it's tough to isolate one over the others! I love the challenge, I love learning about myself and applying the patience and concentrating I learned on the golf course to real life situations: studying/learning to drive/new job/challenges in the workplace.

It's great to be outdoors! Wow, can't wait till these exams are over!

[Bowker]

I think it's a combination of good shots/personal challenges, socializing, stress relief, and fitness.

Thats what makes it so addictive and fun.

[Golf Yokel]

I voted for the stress relief aspect. Nothing gets my mind off of work/school/anything better than going out and stinking up the golf course.

The social aspect is a very close second, but I also enjoy playing by myself, so I couldn't pick it as number one.

Coming in third is the good shot category. Hardly anything gives you the feeling of accomplishment of hitting the perfect golf shot. I chipped my first ball in last week, and I still remember the feeling I had. I would rank this option as second, except that it always feels better to sink that shot in front of someone, so the social aspect still takes the number two spot :)

I'm already in very good shape, and I am still pretty bad at golf, so the fitness and competition options come in last for me.

That's how I see it from my eyes anyways :)

[Eore]

for me at least, its knowing that no matter how inconsistent you are, everybody has hit a good shot. yo don't see guys remembering their big hit in the pickup game last week as they watch a wide reciever get punished across the middlein a football game. but if you see a golfer hit a 20+ foot putt, or stuff an iron to a foot, or even ace a hole. the pros just do it more often.

i also bonded with my dad golfing, so thats a close second

[golf_junkie27]

It's the personal challenge and making good to great shots. Whether by yourself or in a group, you always want to play well.

Since I walk and I'm in really good shape, my second choice was fitness/outdoors. Carrying a bag with 14 clubs, a pair of sneakers and an extra shirt for 18 holes is not an easy task. I'm not complaining, though. My lower body appreciated the workout.

[Crafty]

Practicing. It is soo rewarding to stripe six or seven balls in a row on the range or sinking three bombs in a row on the practice green. Now if I could just take that to the course.....

[albatroz]

To meet nice people and enjoy .

[Big_M]

It was a tough choice... I picked the good shot, but when I start playing in more league and tournament events, it will be both. Right now I play regularly with someone who is right there at my handicap and we love slugging it out week after week. I can't wait to start playing more competitive golf events.

Social aspect is a close third... I definately enjoy metting all the people I meet out there... especially since I play as a single a lot and end up playing with all sorts.

Being outdoors is great too.

I don't always find stress relief though, as I am very focused for parts of my round, but don't get me wrong, it's not work and I AM having fun, just not stress free fun. I am the sick sort who feeds off of and enjoys the stress/challenge of a tough up and down, or long iron to a narrow green, etc.

[FortAsel]

For me it is competing. When I'm on the course, I never give up and I always love to kick everyone's butt. My foursome is just like me, so we get along very well. Although I can hit 2/3 tiger-shots per round, these came from me being so competitive and socially it is good because when I'm not playing with my buddies, my friends, the people that I play with are f«very friendly and tend to support me like "c'mon, you can do it!". That helps alot.

[cbe_golfer]

Good shots most definitely. Nothing beats the joy of picking up a club from the bag, thinking about the arc of a shot and actually pulling it off.

[NM Golf]

I pretty much enjoy everything about golf. Getting away from the stresses of life, being outside, being active, comraderie, etc. But the thing I like most is the competition. Whether it be in a tournament or just a good betting group, I thrive on the competition. Golf is not nearly as fun for me if there is nothing on the line. I get bored and have a difficult time concentrating when I just go out and play. Good thing is I rarely play that way, I almost always have some type of game going.

[blkdiamond]

For me, Golf is really everything you listed. I enjoy getting outside, away from work, stress, etc. I also enjoy playing with friends, meeting new people and even just playing a round by myself. Finally I like how you can compete against yourself in a measureable way, golf really is a great, unique game and I love it!

[Guest]

This is my first post! I just started my second year playing golf. I'm a high handicapper (30) but thats okay cause there are many good things about golf that is why I chose other.

I think being outdoors is a good reason just as getting away and for social reasons. But I think for me, the best part of golf is having fun and not worrying about whatever else is going on. The world seems to stop when I'm on the course. I don't have low scores but it doesn't matter becuase golf is fun and challenging. Eventually, I will produce betters numbers but the scores is not whats important. Sometimes the score doesn't matter at all, for instance if you get a double bogey, then its bad. But its how you saved double bogey could be a shot of your life. Perhaps the double bogey came off a hole-out from 15 yards off the green?

There's alot to say over this topic and everyone has there opinion. But whatever their's may be....its something special to each of us.

[g-funk13]

I think it's a combination of good shots/personal challenges, socializing, stress relief, and fitness.

Me too. I am really looking forward to spring. . . .