El Rustito

These points will probably echo everyone else's, but here's my two cents. As others have said, the cost is the biggest thing golf has going against it in terms of getting new people into it, or at least I think so. Even to just get into the sport I tried to find ways to keep it cost-effective, but it still ate up more funds than I would have preferred. After I first started playing, I got frustrated and gave up for a while not because the game is hard, but because it's often overly-expensive and I felt the sport, by and large, catered to the rich or upper-class, which I am thoroughly not. I also felt there was a strong inclination by golf in general to keep it that way. It wasn't until I got back into it and had more exposure that I found this wasn't totally the case, which leads me to my second point. The idea that golf is a sport only for rich snobs needs to go, and society/the media/the entertainment industry must stop encouraging this stereotype. Embarrassing Story: the first time I went to the driving range I was terrified I would offend the golf gods or real golfers if I wasn't decked out as noble as possible. So I got a nice polo, some khakis, and a pair of golf shoes. I go to the range and find a solid percentage of people there are just wearing t-shirts and tennis/running shoes. I felt kind of silly afterwards for thinking I'd tick off everyone there if I dressed like that. Wholly average joes play golf. Everyone can. For some it will require more work to get in than others, but it's one of those things you CAN make happen, but it would be a lot easier if the cost would just simply go down. Plus, other sports require far less commitment to get into, are just easier, and have much more exposure. Compare the requirements of getting into and good at golf to going down to a toy store or sports shop and buying a basketball for ten bucks. You can play with a basketball just about anywhere; playing golf anywhere, not so easily done. Once you have that basketball you don't have to pay a fee to go play with it. More youths are into basketball and thus will pick up and play a lot, so it's easier for them to get together doing that. Sports media pushes people like LeBron James or Kobe Bryant onto viewers and kids dream of being like them when they grow up--it's easier for them do that than to dream of being Mickelson or Hogan or even Tiger. They just don't connect with them, partly because of that "only for upper-class" mentality. I think there are a few good things that golf has going for it, though. Take Rickie Fowler. He's bringing in new audiences to the game with his style and that certain appeal he has to younger viewers. And if he starts winning more often there'll be more exposure to that crowd. Plus, they're always coming out with golf video games that get better with each iteration. I mean, real golf is different from Mario hitting a five iron only to have his ball be eaten by a piranha plant, but it's still fun. Every little bit helps.

Driving off the tee? Short approaches? Putting? I ask this because yesterday I was at the range and had a miserable time at the tees. At one point I shanked a ball down the line and this kid decked out like Rickie Fowler turns and stares at me. At which point I pretended that someone behind me had done it. Yeah geez man watch out you're gonna kill someone... yeah. So I went to the putting green to blow off some steam and had a much better time. Dropped a few putts that while not necessarily long, made me feel better, which I probably needed. This thought occurred to me today as a result. I don't hit it straight very often but at least when I do get on the green I relax a lot more. What about you?

Zakiya annoyed me when she jumped ship by using up her points when she was the captain of that team on the second episode, but I didn't feel happy that she got eliminated, too. To be honest, she had the most interesting personality of anyone this season. Still hoping Selanee or Gloriana wins, though Gloriana made me wonder if she didn't get dropped once as a child when she used up a bunch of strokes trying to make that hero shot.

Security guard at the mall down the street. Decent gig if you need something that can work around school hours, and if you can deal with teenagers who think it's really clever and original to call you "Paul Blart."

I feel like I'm watching The Real World: Golfing Edition this season, but I like it anyway. I'm hoping Selanee or Gloriana wins, though I sincerely doubt either of them will pull it off.

Hi people. Been lurking for a while and thought I'd sign up. I took a few lessons about a year ago and played some rounds but that proved rather... ill-timed, as I was out of work at the time. Golf's probably not the best activity one could take up when one's wallet is more often than not empty. Now that I'm actually getting a paycheck, I'm trying to get back into things (like trying to have a consistent swing that doesn't totally stink, for starters). I really enjoyed being out on that course--it was enjoyable, relaxing, and meditative all at once. Glad to be here. Of course, I've stayed up way too late reading some topics and I have to work tomorrow... Whoops.