The first time you crush a shot and the ball flies through the air just like you've visualized it and goes exactly where you intended it to go...then you'll understand. It doesn't sound like the OP has the patience or the inclination to reach that point. It is the one pastime I intend to play until I croak.
Do you have trouble picking up sports in general, or was this just a golf thing?
Sounds like maybe some anger issues as well. If you have anger issues, golf isn't a good game for you, as you need to be fairly relaxed and confident to play well. My buddy used to break Nintendo controllers when he was younger and had anger issues with video games, then he tried golf and described it pretty much like you, saying it was a ridiculous game and he wasn't getting better. Watching him try, it was easy to see he would get angry too easily and then get uptight and then there was no hope of improvement.
I've never been the best at sports, but typically the more technical sports were the ones I was best at. I really enjoy curling. I loved hockey too -- skating came naturally to me.
Definitely no anger issues though, I'm probably in the lowest possible bracket of anger and temperment issues for guys. I get frustrated easily -- big difference. When I stop having fun at a sport/entertainment thing I just give up. And it's hard to go and watch your buddies crush awesome shots while you really think you've got it down this time and watch your shot barely hit 50 yards. Or bounce right in front of you. After an hour of that, 100 shots with no improvement, it's easy to say 'F this'.
I've never been the best at sports, but typically the more technical sports were the ones I was best at. I really enjoy curling. I loved hockey too -- skating came naturally to me.
Definitely no anger issues though, I'm probably in the lowest possible bracket of anger and temperment issues for guys. I get frustrated easily -- big difference. When I stop having fun at a sport/entertainment thing I just give up. And it's hard to go and watch your buddies crush awesome shots while you really think you've got it down this time and watch your shot barely hit 50 yards. Or bounce right in front of you. After an hour of that, 100 shots with no improvement, it's easy to say 'F this'.
Driving range/putting green?
Sometimes I just enjoy heading to the driving range with a couple buckets of balls by myself than golfing with some buddies.
Why did it become the thing that you do business and network around.
Now I don't particularly like it but I do end up going for work a few times a year so I have to at least be able to hit the ball in the air a reasonable distance so this means going to the driving range and practicing.
It's just odd it became this socially required aspect of business.
Why did it become the thing that you do business and network around.
Now I don't particularly like it but I do end up going for work a few times a year so I have to at least be able to hit the ball in the air a reasonable distance so this means going to the driving range and practicing.
It's just odd it became this socially required aspect of business.
Location: A simple man leading a complicated life....
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Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube
I've never been the best at sports, but typically the more technical sports were the ones I was best at. I really enjoy curling. I loved hockey too -- skating came naturally to me.
Definitely no anger issues though, I'm probably in the lowest possible bracket of anger and temperment issues for guys. I get frustrated easily -- big difference. When I stop having fun at a sport/entertainment thing I just give up. And it's hard to go and watch your buddies crush awesome shots while you really think you've got it down this time and watch your shot barely hit 50 yards. Or bounce right in front of you. After an hour of that, 100 shots with no improvement, it's easy to say 'F this'.
My golfing buddies have handicaps in the single digits while mine are in the 20's. Your first mistake is comparing your game to others and how they do. I share in the joy and excitment of what my partners do on the course but it in no way affects the game I play.
You have to learn to seperate your game from those of your friends. My goal last year was to shoot an 89 and I did it. My friends were quite appreciative of my achievement and will be in the future for the next series of goals I set for myself.
Yeah, it's easy to say eff this but at the same time you can't take on a Tiger Woods mentality. Learn to enjoy the game and have fun. And don't ever let the game get so serious that you want to quit.
Alright guys. I live about a 5 minute drive from Harvest Hills golf course, this summer I will buy a cheap ass used club and try to figure this out on the driving range. It will be make or break to see if I can get golf.
Why did it become the thing that you do business and network around.
Business man likes golf, but doesn't get to golf much because he needs to work at the office. What if we move the meeting to the golf course? Problem solved. Same would go with meeting clients. Golf allows for a lot of socializing while you play it as its quiet, low intensity and can last hours. So if you don't want to work, but still want to convince people you're going to get 'work' done, just golf. It doesn't hurt that the people making the rules were the ones who liked to golf.
As for the networking aspect, that was always a big allure of the fancy country clubs. Join one and all of a sudden you're finding ways to meet (potentially powerful) people for hours at a time and/or socialize with them later and opportunities can open up. 'Country Club atmosphere' is a term for a reason.
Alright guys. I live about a 5 minute drive from Harvest Hills golf course, this summer I will buy a cheap ass used club and try to figure this out on the driving range. It will be make or break to see if I can get golf.
You better be quick about it then. The Harvest Hills golf course was recently sold to Cedarglen Homes.
Location: A simple man leading a complicated life....
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GGG
I don't understand the corporate aspect of golf.
Why did it become the thing that you do business and network around.
Now I don't particularly like it but I do end up going for work a few times a year so I have to at least be able to hit the ball in the air a reasonable distance so this means going to the driving range and practicing.
It's just odd it became this socially required aspect of business.
Shell has an annual golf tourney at Nanton every year. It's the biggest money earner for our club. They come out in 2 bus loads (nobody is allowed to drive), spend an insane amount of money on alcohol while doing business on the course and head home drunk afterwards.
I don't know how effective it is but Shell and other corps keep returning year after year in increasing numbers. In an indirect way these type of tournys help to keep our dues down to a reasonable level.
Why did it become the thing that you do business and network around.
It's just odd it became this socially required aspect of business.
Golf is one of the very few escapist activities where you focus only on the task at hand. It's next to impossible to think about how to steamclean the kidpiss out of your car or how stupid it is for the wife to want to celebrate valentines day on valentines day. IMO, having a clear mind and being at ease does facilitate business interactions.
If I had the time to actually improve and get good at it I could possibly get into it a day or 2 a week. I only go if it's free through work and it is always a lesson in humiliation/emasculation with the odd temporary elation of maybe one good shot per hole.
As it stands now, I'd rather spend time with my wife and kids or if I'm going to burn 6 hours I'd rather go out to the mountains or go fishing.
I don't get golf either and I have been playing for years. Im convinced no other sport can drive you mad as much as golf. You can spend insane amounts of money and time with no guarentee of getting better. In fact, as yor investment increase and expectations go up, frustrations increase which can completely destroy your game and make you worse.
That said, I also love the game because of how challenging it is. So few people are any good at it, and an incredibly small number are exceptional. To put this in perspective- I have played a lot of rounds over the years and have been matched up with probably thousands of golfers- that said, I could probably count on two hands (not including the pros I have played with) the number of times I have been matched up with what I would call a very good golfer. Because of this rarity, a lot of people lie about their score/handicap, but thats a different discussion. Anyway, it is wise to remind new golfers of this when they nervous about hitting an awful shot in front of others- virtually everyone sucks at the game so don't worry about hitting a shank or duff.
Last edited by Flabbibulin; 02-01-2015 at 09:28 AM.
Shell has an annual golf tourney at Nanton every year. It's the biggest money earner for our club. They come out in 2 bus loads (nobody is allowed to drive), spend an insane amount of money on alcohol while doing business on the course and head home drunk afterwards.
I don't know how effective it is but Shell and other corps keep returning year after year in increasing numbers. In an indirect way these type of tournys help to keep our dues down to a reasonable level.
I would have guessed the Tough Times golf tourney would have been the biggest money earner. They still put that on?
