One of the Great Things About Golf

[iacas]

While that's true of almost every other sport (and hey, I still play rec hockey and rec soccer, and have played softball, and some other sports), golf still gives you the opportunity to compete, to do the rituals, to put yourself into pressure situations… etc.

[klineka]

I played baseball in college, and now that my baseball days are done, golf has become my outlet to compete, put myself in the pressure situations, is my escape from a long day at work, etc.

I challenged myself for 18 years through baseball, now I challenge myself through golf.

I've always thought that playing baseball at somewhat of a high level and performing in pressure situations has made my mental game and the ability to block out negative thoughts significantly stronger than some of the other people I golf with who didn't play sports in college. 

[dennyjones]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

While that's true of almost every other sport (and hey, I still play rec hockey and rec soccer, and have played softball, and some other sports), golf still gives you the opportunity to compete, to do the rituals, to put yourself into pressure situations… etc.

That is spot on.   I played and coached competitive soccer until I was 50 but now it's mountain biking, racquetball and golf.   I was out in Breckenridge last week and took a ski lesson.   The instructor made the comment that the only 2 dynamic sports that you can play until you die are skiing and tennis.   Obviously, he hasn't seen me golf.   

I never really thought about golf until I couldn't play soccer any more.   I don't play competitively but enjoy it as much as any sport I have played, which are many.  

[Chanceman]

Totally agree. Golf serves the competitive juices. But it is also physically beneficial, offers mental exercise, and most importantly when you retire from work it provides interaction with others. It develops your sense of humour. And partners like it too because it gives them space!! Finally, it offers amazing travel possibilities.

[Piz]

Golf is the only game I know in which a 14 year old girl, or an 80 year old man, can hand you your lunch.

[dennyjones]

1 hour ago, Piz said:

Golf is the only game I know in which a 14 year old girl, or an 80 year old man, can hand you your lunch.

You haven't been skiing in Colorado.   I saw kids 4 and 5 and geriatrics over 80 that were amazing skiers.   

[Piz]

1 minute ago, dennyjones said:

You haven't been skiing in Colorado.   I saw kids 4 and 5 and geriatrics over 80 that were amazing skiers.   

Actually, I lived just east of Phippsburg in the winter of '79.  And you are quite right.  

[shanksalot]

I played baseball or fast pitch softball until I was in my late 40's, but when it got to the point I could no longer go into the hole and throw out the runner I decided to quit. I was playing against guys twenty years younger than me. That is why I switched full time to golf. It is a game you can play as long as you decide to play it. It doesn't matter that you can't break par any longer because you can just play for the enjoyment of the game. I still love baseball and watch games every day that they start playing and until the World Series is over. I still long to be out on the diamond playing, but I still love to watch the game. Spring training has started and the first game of the spring is next Friday.

[saevel25]

I absolutely agree. Golf is one of the few sports that can have people of all ages compete.

[Marty2019]

"One day you won't be an athlete any more..." 

That day came for me the day I was born.  I couldn't make any of the athletic teams in high school.   I was too small, slow, weak, and uncoordinated.  But somehow, I can play golf okay.  That's the great thing about golf for me.  You can actually use your mind and figure it out to a certain extent. 

[Foot Wedge]

I like that no matter how big or strong you are, golf is an equalizer.  If you have the technique, you'll hit the ball far enough and be accurate enough to play well.  I'm 5'9" and hang right in there in length with my friend who's 6'5". On the flip side my dad gives up a few yards to me, but he still scores well...

 

[No Mulligans]

This guy's goal is to beat me.  He comes close but hasn't done it yet.  Yes, the competition and comradery is great... so is being outside in nature.

From yesterday evening, Torrey North:

[NM Golf]

This rings true. As a kid I played everything. In high school I was an all-state football and baseball player. After high school I played Div 1 baseball. Once my baseball career was over I was like "Now What?" I had been competing at something my entire life, I was an athlete at my core. I tried softball, but the competition just wasn't there for me. That's when my father gave me my first set of golf clubs. I played my first 18 hole round of golf at age 22 and the rest is history. 

I still coach basketball and I really enjoy it. I like the team element, but golf is where I still get to really compete. I have to say I really enjoy it when I play with kids 10-20 years younger than I am and beat them. I have won the club championship at my course three of the last four years. 

My father is the same way ex college athlete picked up golf after college and has been hooked ever since. He started shooting his age at 68 and has now done it well over 100 times. He's almost too competitive, if thats possible.

[dbuck]

Honestly, I was never much of an athlete. I liked baseball, but lived in a rural area, so just didn't have the neighborhood gang, baseball, basketball, etc. I was borderline nerdy, but started singing and playing guitar, and that was my "claim to fame"," legend in my own mind" rather than sports.( and gave me an avenue to meet girls :))

Golf was the only sport that ever gave me a desire to improve my skills, and playing golf actually improved my coordination for other activities. I have been playing over 45 years, and still have the desire to improve, and the expectation that I can.

[The Hook Meister]

I know what you mean, you can play golf until you are 90 if you stay fit. For me just getting out and walking, getting fresh air is wonderful. If my ball would cooperate it would be a perfect day.

[billchao]

I was never much of an athlete growing up. I loved to play sports with the neighborhood kids, but only briefly in rec leagues and never for any school programs. I was never the fastest runner, or the hardest thrower, and always on the smaller side (I was 5'4" my junior year of HS).

And I was lazy. I just liked playing, but never practiced anything. When my friends would mess around with stick handling stuff, I'd do it once or twice before I became bored and moved onto something else. I'm still like that TBH. I can't stick with an exercise routine at all. I've always thought it would be fun to juggle but always quit after a couple of failed attempts.

Golf is different. I don't know what it is, but it feeds that competitive spark I never really knew I had. I'm constantly working on getting better and I know my best golf is ahead of me. I also know this is something I can do for a very long time.

[iacas]

36 minutes ago, billchao said:

I just liked playing, but never practiced anything.

[mdl]

Yup.  I'm fit and healthy and holding out hope my pre-school daughter catches the bug eventually and I can play with family – I also play with my brothers when I get the chance – for a long long time to come.