I don't get golf

[OutOfTheCube]

I don't get golf. I just don't get anything about it.

Watching other people do it on television is disastrously boring. I mean, I don't enjoy watching sports like baseball, soccer, tennis, or even NASCAR, but at least I understand the appeal. I have zero understanding of what people find entertaining about watching golf.

Playing golf is similarly perplexing -- it's completely inaccessible, requiring a large amount of skill and practice to be even passably good at it. It's expensive and requires strict scheduling. You can't just goof around and play it anywhere other than the specific places that are meant for it. You spend an inordinate amount of time just walking or driving around or watching other people do it. And it requires good weather, something which is quite scarce around these parts.

And yet, piles of people seem to be obsessed with golf. Play it every possible weekend, watch all the golfers and have golf pools, company events revolving around golf. I just don't get it.

[Canehdianman]

I'm just glad this wasn't titled "let's talk about how I don't get golf".

This just in, people like different things.

[Galakanokis]

I like to drink. Pretty much the only reason I play golf.

[SportsJunky]

I don't get it either and I play often. Golf is maddening.

[Rerun]

Its an addiction... somewhat like smoking.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

I like to drink. Pretty much the only reason I play golf.

Or do you drink because you play golf?

[Locke]

"Golf is a good walk spoiled."

Its not my cup of tea, but lots of people like it. Different strokes for different folks.

[Ozy_Flame]

I play regularly. I think what it is for me is a chance to do something mildly competitive with your friends, but enjoy your free time and not take it to a d-baggery level. If you walk with your clubs, you can burn alot of calories, and you get a nice tan and some fresh air.

Some of the courses in BC and Alberta are also so picturesque, it gives you an excuse to just see some nice landscape as well.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Locke

Different strokes for different folks.

[MillerTime GFG]

It's extremely challenging, which is one of the main reasons it's addicting. Once you start seeing results, you just want to play more.

Nothing better than being able to escape reality for 4+ hours in gorgeous scenery, sprinkled with a little bit of competitiveness to get the juices flowing.

[Rerun]

• A bad day at the golf course… still beats a good day at the office.
• I hate golf, I hate golf, I hate golf…NICE SHOT !! I love golf !
  
• They call it golf because all the other four letter words are taken !!

[malcolmk14]

It's a challenging and competitive outdoor activity. What is there to get? Why do people run, play tennis, play badminton, play hockey, ski, snowboard, fish, play poker, play video games, play chess, or do anything for that matter? Because they enjoy it, it's fun and challenging.

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

It's a challenging and competitive outdoor activity. What is there to get? Why do people run, play tennis, play badminton, play hockey, ski, snowboard, fish, play poker, play video games, play chess, or do anything for that matter? Because they enjoy it, it's fun and challenging.

That's basically my point though -- you listed eleven of the hundreds and hundreds of things that are also fun and challenging, yet far more accessible, cheaper, easier, and more entertaining. How does one even decide golf will be their thing when almost everything else sounds better?

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Playing hockey is similarly perplexing -- it's completely inaccessible, requiring a large amount of skill and practice to be even passably good at it. It's expensive and requires strict scheduling. You can't just goof around and play it anywhere other than the specific places that are meant for it.

And yet, piles of people seem to be obsessed with hockey. Play it every possible weekend, watch all the hockey players and have hockey pools.... I just don't get it.

Fixed your post.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

That's basically my point though -- you listed eleven of the hundreds and hundreds of things that are also fun and challenging, yet far more accessible, cheaper, easier, and more entertaining. How does one even decide golf will be their thing when almost everything else sounds better?

So you prefer other activities, and those that enjoy golf, prefer golf.

I don't get why you like the Buffalo Sabres, when (almost) everything else sounds better?

[troutman]

More people golfing = less people fly fishing.

Go golf!

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

That's basically my point though -- you listed eleven of the hundreds and hundreds of things that are also fun and challenging, yet far more accessible, cheaper, easier, and more entertaining.

I don't understand how you don't get that people like different things.

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Fixed your post.

Nope, bad comparison. Anyone can buy a cheap pair of skates and a wood stick and hit a free outdoor rink with their buddies. And it doesn't require hours and hours of practice to get past the point of numbing frustration. Ball hockey is even more accessible as you can do it anywhere with even less equipment.

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

I don't understand how you don't get that people like different things.

Not different 'things'. Just golf. I understand why other people like pretty much everything else I hate. Only golf eludes me. Look at the reasons people have listed for it being good:

1. You can drink while you do it
2. It's competitive
3. It's light exercise
4. It's satisfying once you get good at it
5. It's outdoors

There are literally thousands of things you can do that include one, several, or all of those factors without the maddening, non-sensical, pointless frustration of golf. The first of those things being mini golf. That one I understand.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Nope, bad comparison. Anyone can buy a cheap pair of skates and a wood stick and hit a free outdoor rink with their buddies. And it doesn't require hours and hours of practice to get past the point of numbing frustration. Ball hockey is even more accessible as you can do it anywhere with even less equipment.



Not different 'things'. Just golf. I understand why other people like pretty much everything else I hate. Only golf eludes me. Look at the reasons people have listed for it being good:

1. You can drink while you do it
2. It's competitive
3. It's light exercise
4. It's satisfying once you get good at it
5. It's outdoors

There are literally thousands of things you can do that include one, several, or all of those factors without the maddening, non-sensical, pointless frustration of golf. The first of those things being mini golf. That one I understand.

1. Some people enjoy drinking
2. Some people enjoy being competitive
3. Some people enjoy light exercise
4. Some people enjoy challenges
5. Some people like the outdoors

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

1. Some people enjoy drinking
2. Some people enjoy being competitive
3. Some people enjoy light exercise
4. Some people enjoy challenges
5. Some people like the outdoors

...

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

There are literally thousands of things you can do that include one, several, or all of those factors without the maddening, non-sensical, pointless frustration of golf. The first of those things being mini golf. That one I understand.