Why do I play golf?

[HighTopFade]

Why do I play?

To me, golf is a five hour vacation. It's addicting like drugs but actually healthy.

[Fishkiller]

Originally Posted by jstanger12

I play golf because I am 23 years old and was a three sport athlete in high school (baseball, basketball, and football) and a college quarterback. I love playing any sport that I can whenever I can and know that one day when I'm in my 40's and 50's my body isn't going to be able to handle playing football and running up and down the basketball court. The reason I play golf and am so obsessed with being good at the sport is that I've been very good at any sport that I have tried in the past and know that when my body has reached is limits where I cannot run up and down the basketball court, golf will always be there.

I read jstanger's post and find I was like him at 23 and now am very close to what he expects to be in 28 years, I am 51 now. I took up golf because my knees are bad enough I can't participate in any sport that requires running or quick changes in direction. I did not realize when I started playing last year how many levels of enjoyment there would be from the game of golf. Let me list a few.

I can enjoy time away from my wife with male friends.

I can enjoy quality time with my wife when just she and I play.

I can have a social outing on couples day.

I can receive a priceless amount of enjoyment by winning a quarter for chipping closest to the pin.

Evan though I shoot in the high nineties the only complaint I have about golf is that I didn't take it up at least 30 years ago.

[JackS]

I'm the same story. Grew up wrestling and doing Triathalons. Knees are not what they used to be, but I couldn't stand the thought of staying in and sitting on a couch. Golf will keep me happy for a much longer time.

[king hacker]

There is always "that shot" that keeps me coming back.
Keep an honest score and you will be rewarded.

[Quinn809]

Just read your post and couldn't agree with you more. The one point I would add is this:

I play not only for the joy of the game but also for the joy of the companionship.

This game is a great way to get together with old friends and family. No matter how well or poorly you play you always have your friends there with you

[hst151975]

I simply enjoy the hell out of this game. I enjoy the challenge. I enjoy improving my game. I just enjoy it. Although sometimes I get so angry when I play that I want to commit mass murder...but that's only sometimes.

[Fourputt]

Because I'm an addict of 30 years standing. I've tried other pasttimes along the way... kayaking... backpacking... scuba diving... but I just keep coming back for the unique pleasures and frustrations of Our Game.

There is no place else I can think of besides the golf course where I can feel so tense while relieving stress...

[golfnbeer]

I started playing golf for the sole reason of getting away from work, drinking a little and hanging out with friends. This is still a big part of why I play but myself and my game have evolved.

I now play for the above reasons and the feeling I get when I better myself. Nothing like hitting a bad shot, feeling what you did wrong and correcting to find the next shot rewarding.

I also love to play now because my 11 year old son looks forward to going every chance he gets. When not at the course he is hounding me to go chip in the backyard. Watching him get better and improve his confidence (and the smooth glitch free swing causing the ball to go straight down the fairway when our friends are taking killer swings and slicing) is all the reason I need to continue playing.

[acousticsam]

I don't play golf for a living. Win, lose or draw I will enjoy my time on the course. It beats work and affords me some time on my own to ditch the pressures of everyday life. I am not going to add further or new stress into my mental being through the process of trying to get a ball in a hole.

Sometimes you just have to get away.

[chefxian]

Because Chicks Dig It.

[robryche]

The various shot that keeps me coming back, and that brief feeling of " oh yeah, that's gonna be a good one " just before an excellent ball strike that feels like artwork.

[gobber]

I started playing after I packed in football and rugby. Me and a buddy went to a driving range just for a laugh, borrowed a couple of clubs and 1 week later we were hacking about on a minicipal course with a mismatched half set of blades and a battered old 3 wood. I can't remember many weekends we have missed since!! Golf is addictive like no other sport I have played. Smashing a 260 yard drive with a touch of draw or draining a 30ft double breaking putt to save par gives you a high and leaves a lasting mark on the day.

[HighTopFade]

Golf is a 5 hour vacaton away from the real world. It's short, sweet, yet satisfying.

[kwcsports]

I play golf to get away from lifes problems and stress. Simple as that.

[Loony Toons]

That is a very hard question. One of the main reasons I play is because everyone in my family plays including Grand-parents so it is in my genes. Sometimes I really wondeer why I do play golf because I get so d*** frustrated with my game sometimes. I always come to back to it though so I guess it is somewhat addicting. It is also a good source of exercise and time spent with my family.