I don't get golf

[gonzo29]

I find that most people who don't get golf generally suck at it. Makes sense I suppose.

[taco.vidal]

Golf is an OK leisure activity. If I had more free time then maybe I would golf more than the odd charity or corporate tournament.

I "get" golf but theres many other sports or activities I choose do before golfing.

Golfs biggest issue is the time takes to play a round of 18. Four hours for the round plus travel time to and from the course plus time for food and drinks after. You pretty much have to set aside a good part of a day to golf 18.

I might golf more if there were more and better courses in the city that are convenient and quick to get to. The other thing Id like to see is more rounds of 9 and even to try a round of 6 holes. If I could get to a course in 10 min and shot a quick 6 then Id probably consider golfing again.

I do get that different people like different things. I like sports/actvities with speed and adrenaline (although I hate the terms adrenaline sports or junkie). I am also a runner. The best example of different stokes for different folks, is that people always tell me how boring they find running. Running isn't exciting as say downhill skiing but running is awesome in its own right. The runners high I experience is one of the best feeling from sports that I get and thats just training runs. Throw in the competition of racing and it can't be beat. But thats me, and I can get that others don't feel that way.

One thing Id add is that golf is losing players year over year. Cant blame that decline on Tiger Woods alone.

[Alberta_Beef]

I play golf pretty casually but I enjoy it. I don't get worked up or frustrated and actually find it pretty relaxing. But I also understand why some don't enjoy it. I cannot, repeat cannot stand it on television though.

Also I love the Tiger Woods golf games, they are among my favorite, but I find them more frustrating than playing in real life.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Love golf. At its purest, it's you, 3 buddies, a nice summers day hanging out and shooting the breeze for 6 hours - what's not to love about that. Yeah, it's expensive and frustrating but with good friends you're not too fussed about not shooting tour quality golf. It's quality time.

Sadly, as my buddies and I have all grown older, 6 hours on a weekend is precious - competing against family and child obligations. I just don't have that kind of time to spare for myself. I'm happy if I can get out for an hour to the range for that feeling of hitting a 7 iron nice and pure.

I miss it dearly, but I have higher priorities right now.

[prarieboy]

I love Golf. It is with out a doubt my favorite pastime.

I can play on a Par 3 or a TPC course and still enjoy every minute of it. Me and a group of friends played Bootleg Gap in Kimberley last spring. It was 8 degrees and raining. We were the only people on the course that day, the clubhouse was closed when we finished. It was a great day.

I have been playing for around 30 years now and all I can really suggest to the OP is if you think Golf is something you might enjoy try taking some lessons. It's hard to figure it out on your own.

I started lessons last year and I'm very surprised how well I can hit the ball now. I wish I had done it years ago.

Golf is a game you can play practically your whole life as well. Many people at my club are still enjoying golf into their eighties and in some case nineties.

PS. Maybe you should try fishing instead. More Tee times for me that way!!

[CliffFletcher]

The annoying thing about golf is how it's the default corporate world sport. You don't see company soccer games, or cycling events, or even bowling or darts. But every company has golf events, where you're expected to get together with your co-workers and spend half a day at something a great many employees have zero experience or skill at.

I have a buddy who's a golf pro. A large portion of his clientele are women who don't like golf at all, but feel they need to spend hours and hours of their free time taking lessons so they won't be utterly embarrassed at company events.

There's definitely a whiff of the privileged old-boys club about the whole sport. I think it would be funny if a new generation of employees made ultimate frisbee the corporate sport, so wheezy old executives trying to salvage their careers would need to take frisbee lessons and have circles run around them by fit young colleagues.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Sadly, as my buddies and I have all grown older, 6 hours on a weekend is precious - competing against family and child obligations. I just don't have that kind of time to spare for myself. I'm happy if I can get out for an hour to the range for that feeling of hitting a 7 iron nice and pure.

That's why I think golf is going to see a pretty steep decline in participation. Few family men these days have the luxury of spending all that time at a golf course.

[prarieboy]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

That's why I think golf is going to see a pretty steep decline in participation. Few family men these days have the luxury of spending all that time at a golf course.

Perhaps.

For my family we all Golf together on the weekend or weeknights so for us it is an activity that leads us to spending time together.

I am able to get away with my friends for the "boys" trip which I am thankful for. If I had to choose I would drop the "boys" trip and only golf with my family.

I think that you make a very valid point about family men and all but those demands are fleeting. Once the kids are older you can get back to the course.

[gallione11]

The time commitment is definitely a drawback, which is why I'm happy most courses near me allow for 9 hole rounds. In fact, I have three 9-hole courses within 15 minutes. 2 hours vs. 4+ makes it much easier to squeeze in a round.

I also find that, especially when I'm not having a good round, the mental fatigue of doing a full 18 gets to you. I think a 12 hole round would be about perfect, but since that isn't feasible, I'll take my 9 holes and call it good.

[RogerWilco]

It is pretty simple for me. There is nothing that is more exhilarating than making a great shot or scoring a low round. Nothing makes me feel as content as when I am on the golf course. If you play a lot of golf watching golf is entertaining because the shots those guys can make are impressive. But I also tend to just watch the last couple of hours of an event.

[Cuz]

I absolutely love golf. It is my passion and there is nothing I want to do more in my free time than spend it at the course. Unfortunately (or fortunately if you're my wife, who is also a golfer just not as passionate as I), that is not feasible right now but it will be my retirement goal to golf nearly every day.

For me, hitting a shot pure is better than sex, there is no better feeling than hitting a shot exactly as you want. Even as a single digit handicapper, this doesn't happen nearly as often as I would like. The time commitment never has bothered me and I view playing nine holes like fooling around with someone and not going all the way. It's fun, but not as satisfying.

I definitely differ from most who enjoy the social aspect of the game in that I love being alone with my thoughts for a round. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time out on the course with family and friends, but I won't hesitate enjoying a round by myself.

[The Yen Man]

Golf's not my cup of tea because I'm no good at it, so my exposure is limited to company golf tournaments. But I can certainly understand the appeal of it. The satisfying ping you get when you hit your stroke just right, or you sink that putt that just curved up and around into the hole can make people fall in love with it pretty quick IMO.

Now watching golf, on the other hand, I totally agree with the OP. I just don't get the appeal. But then again, I also don't get the appeal of baseball either, but that's just my personal tastes.

[DuffMan]

The golf course is the only place I don't think about things.

[V]

Corporate golf sucks. I need to spend 5 hours with you and pretend to like you for all 5 hours? Awesome.

Playing with friends or alone is pretty fun, but even then, I lose interest after 13 holes. Maybe if I didn't have to swing the club so often I would enjoy it more, but if I'm going to get grief for being away from the house on a Saturday for 6 hours I better really enjoy it.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

The golf course is the only place I don't think about things.

Well, except for constantly thinking about how you missed that four footer on the third hole.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Well, except for constantly thinking about how you missed that four footer on the third hole.

No, I mean things like, work, relationships, zombies, world peace, that sort of stuff.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

The golf course is the only place I don't think about things.

I like to think of the course as a place where I can get away from any stress that might be going on in my life. You shut off the outside world and just enjoy the round, comradery with friends and the beers that go with it.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Dion

I like to think of the course as a place where I can get away from any stress that might be going on in my life. You shut off the outside world and just enjoy the round, comradery with friends and the beers that go with it.

This man gets golf.

But I already knew that about him.

[2ArmBands]

Time is certainly an obstacle when it comes to golf. When I was younger I quickly became obsessed. I started working at golf courses just for the privileges. Some of the best summers in my life to date were spent on the golf course, at that time I didn't even realize it.

Now its much more difficult with family obligations but I have found a way. I play a lot of 9 hole evening rounds and practice often. In fact I think Ive reached a point where I actually enjoy practicing more than playing. Fortunately I live close to a course with a great practice facility and find myself practicing my short game more than just hitting balls. I can get in an hour session before dinner etc... Its a lifestyle for our short summers.

But yeah...cart girls, beer, smell of fresh cut grass, sunshine, time with friends, hitting the shot of your life... How do you go wrong?