I hate golf

[Rubbish Golfer]

I played today for the 1st time in a couple of weeks, but have been playing quite a bit this year. I started well, but ended up with a horrible round. I thought back and realized that I just frittered away 14 strokes...not because of golf "talent" per se, but just because of silly mistakes or easy shots that I missed (and I didn't make ANYTHING with the putter even though I was hitting my lines and speeds but just burned edges).

 

Anyway, I thought about my journey in golf, and I honestly can't think of any activity I've spent any time with in my lifetime that I've invested so much time, energy and money into yet got so little back in return. I spend a fortune on golf (clubs, clothes, memberships, greens fees, etc.), and I also spend a lot of time away from my family and job for golf (which probably also costs me). I have improved a lot over the last 5 years, but I seem to be backtracking right now.

 

I've got a good swing. And at different times, I can be a really good putter and can be really sharp with short game and can drive it well and can hit irons where I want...but I can never put it all together, and I can practice/ practice/ practice something and it will get better sometimes but will also blow up whenever it is really inconvenient.

 

I've "quit" golf twice before, and I'm very close to doing it again. It is just insane how much I put into it to get so little out of it.

 

 

There are 3 reasons to give golf. 1) Health 2) Because you no longer enjoy it 3) because you are getting worse. Points 1) and 2) are justified, point 3) is daft. We are all getting older, and eventually we all get worse. Enjoy the game for what it is, and don't forget that it's meant to be fun.

[stdavis22]

Golf is Life...

-Nothing is Permanent ( I you shot a 68 today or a 98 it still doesn't mean anything, and is irrelevant as soon as your next round starts)

-Learn to live in the moment and enjoy it

-Realize you're on a little pebble spinning around a star, in a sea of stars,in a sea of seas, being hurled through infinty, and you have no idea why

[Cwing]

I'm having the worst year that I can recall ever having. I too have considered taking an extended break.

[dlygrisse]

Your problems are mental and emotional. Not physical.

[Baitkiller]

Stupid stupid stupid game.

 

Can't wait to play.

[Rubbish Golfer]

Based on what has been said, I'm going to suggest that the problem is mostly between the ears. I'm not trying to be cute or nasty with that comment, but it sounds to me that the OP is focusing too much on score to his detriment. Focus on the process and let the score be what it will be.

 

As an example, I had a very good round (for me) a week or so ago. I was one under through 5. It was at that point that I started to think about what might be. That's when the mishits started. I finished the side at plus three which was still a low for me, but I wondered afterward what might have been possible if I could have resisted the urge to think ahead.

 

Perhaps what you need is a reset. Resist the tendency to focus on outcome. Like life, golf is about the journey, not so much the destination. That is how you derive pleasure from it. Practice less or more; play less or more. Find a way that you can enjoy your time on the course no matter what the outcome is. Trying harder doesn't always work. The worst thing you can do is feel hard done by the game because then you truly are defeated.

 

Played 9 holes against a friend the other day. We played stableford, and after 4 holes he had scored 11 points. His final score, 12. It's happened to us all though :stink:

[Rubbish Golfer]

Golf is Life...

-Nothing is Permanent ( I you shot a 68 today or a 98 it still doesn't mean anything, and is irrelevant as soon as your next round starts)

-Learn to live in the moment and enjoy it

-Realize you're on a little pebble spinning around a star, in a sea of stars,in a sea of seas, being hurled through infinty, and you have no idea why

 

 

I haven't been playing long, but because I have retired and can play every day, I am learning fast. I don't just mean the physical aspect either. Improvement is incremental, and inconsistent. I now know that just because I have shown improvement in my last 4 rounds, it doesn't mean that I won't go out tomorrow and be awful. The important thing is that I mustn't beet myself up when things go wrong, because they will. I have also set myself realistic targets, and don't ever expect to be particularly good.

[Bobtrumpet]

I hate golf and I love golf at the same time.

 

"So say we all."

 

Anyway, you don't hate golf. You're just mad at it.

 

Great way to look at it! I'll have to remember this.

[brentkosta]

I've got a good swing. And at different times, I can be a really good putter and can be really sharp with short game and can drive it well and can hit irons where I want...but I can never put it all together, and I can practice/ practice/ practice something and it will get better sometimes but will also blow up whenever it is really inconvenient.

 

 

Maybe you have unrealistic expectations. The above isn't consistent with being a 13 handicap.

 

I think I get him. I have a 13 handicap. Golf once a week maybe. (Canadian seasonal golf) I hit fairly long, decent fairway %, decent GIR, BUT 3 putt nearly every green. Literally never 1 putt. Last round I had 4 birdie putts and bogie'd each of them. Im the worlds worst putter and don't see me getting better anytime soon. Throw in a penalty stroke or two and an 85 is a good day. Played 5 times this year and hit mid to high 80s each round.

 

But your right about unrealistic expectations. The way I strike the ball and hit greens I have high expectations. When I don't meet those expectations Its difficult to enjoy the game. I quit for the last 4 years because of it and am just getting back into it. Trying to just have fun. Im far too competitive and hard on myself for this game lol.

[LeoLeo99]

OP, you sound just like me. I throw away so many shots per round. I hit the ball well enough but don't score well. I quit playing for a long time.

 

I suggest you find people to play for money or at least some bragging rights. I know I bear down more in a match.

 

I take back what I wrote. Golf sucks. Stop keeping score and have more fun.

[Rollins]

Used to play a course right by a cemetery that ran along the third fairway .I remember I pull hooked one right in there with my golf coach one day. Was super disappointed with the shot.My coach looked at me and said that many of the occupants in that cemetery would love to be able to hit a big hook like that right now.Made me really think about how short life is and how meaningless a bad shot and how overwhelmingly hard golf is. Go out and just have fun. Most of us will never be a tour player so what does it matter.The course itself doesn't care if you shoot 108 or 68

[LeoLeo99]

Used to play a course right by a cemetery that ran along the third fairway .I remember I pull hooked one right in there with my golf coach one day. Was super disappointed with the shot.My coach looked at me and said that many of the occupants in that cemetery would love to be able to hit a big hook like that right now.Made me really think about how short life is and how meaningless a bad shot and how overwhelmingly hard golf is. Go out and just have fun. Most of us will never be a tour player so what does it matter.The course itself doesn't care if you shoot 108 or 68

 

Friend of mine fought cancer for years. We played in between her chemo treatments. She walked and jogged while I rode my lazy a** along. She's no longer with us. It puts it all into perspective.

[platgof]

Changed golf shoes to a thicker heel and I am now topping everything, imagine that!! Longer clubs?

[terrell75]

Maybe you're trying too hard to do well. Coming from a complete stranger who can only guess, but your problems might not be caused by swing breakdowns. I have a friend who can shoot well but typically doesn't because of his mental fortitude. The worse he plays, the harder he tries; the harder he tries, the worse he plays,...

[terrell75]

@Brentkosta - my putting improved a lot when I read up on Dave Stockton, and started practicing my stroke mechanics on a 12' birdie ball green in my basement.

[brentkosta]

@Brentkosta - my putting improved a lot when I read up on Dave Stockton, and started practicing my stroke mechanics on a 12' birdie ball green in my basement.

 

 

Hes bang on, I just wanna get it over with! LOL thanks for offering his name.

[RickK]

I would actually give up the game of golf if I could ever find another form of self abuse I like better but in 47 years of playing...have not found that yet.

[70sSanO]

Your problems are mental and emotional. Not physical.

 

+1 ^

 

IMO, if your really have a good swing (there are players on tour with worse swings), then it is probably mental.

 

Years ago there was a book called The Inner Game of Tennis. Basically the gist was that people talk themselves out of making good shots. Like a coach in your mind who is always badgering you not to do this or that and then when you make a bad shot that voice keeps saying that I told you so.

 

I'm no sports psychologist, but if you have the skills, you may want to work on getting your brain in tune with you ability.

 

John

[platgof]

I seen a son do the same thing to his dad. The son was sick of his advice and played poorly to p... him off.

[Kevinx]

I played today for the 1st time in a couple of weeks, but have been playing quite a bit this year. I started well, but ended up with a horrible round. I thought back and realized that I just frittered away 14 strokes...not because of golf "talent" per se, but just because of silly mistakes or easy shots that I missed (and I didn't make ANYTHING with the putter even though I was hitting my lines and speeds but just burned edges).

 

Anyway, I thought about my journey in golf, and I honestly can't think of any activity I've spent any time with in my lifetime that I've invested so much time, energy and money into yet got so little back in return. I spend a fortune on golf (clubs, clothes, memberships, greens fees, etc.), and I also spend a lot of time away from my family and job for golf (which probably also costs me). I have improved a lot over the last 5 years, but I seem to be backtracking right now.

 

I've got a good swing. And at different times, I can be a really good putter and can be really sharp with short game and can drive it well and can hit irons where I want...but I can never put it all together, and I can practice/ practice/ practice something and it will get better sometimes but will also blow up whenever it is really inconvenient.

 

I've "quit" golf twice before, and I'm very close to doing it again. It is just insane how much I put into it to get so little out of it.

 

As long as your not pkaying in front of me I don't really care if you quit. The reason your frustrated is you think your better than you are. Get over that and you will start to play better

[DougNutter]

Well, all of you will "throw up" on this response, but I do take lessons and my pro told me the last time I was there that there are people making money on tour with worse swings than mine. Last time I mentioned this on WRX nobody believed me but whatever, I know what he said.

 

I think the answer might be that I need to see a different pro (although I like this guy), but my biggest issue (I think) is that I don't have a way to dial my swing down / play very "smoothly".

 

I had gotten to an 11 handicap but have moved to a 12.4 in the last month. I guess I'm just in a rut right now, I'm a lefty and have a right miss, no matter how far left I aim (it's like my mind knows that I'm aimed left and thus my body pulls around). I've worked REALLY hard the past month or so to fix it, and I kinda sorta have, but now my contact is suffering some.

 

Anyway, I came home and watched the LPGA tournament and now I want to play again. I hate golf and I love golf at the same time.

 

These people on tour with worse swings than you have talent though. That's the difference. Sometimes compensating for your miss makes that miss much more worse. I think you need to lower your expectations and go have fun. Could be lots of worse things to be doing.

[DougNutter]

I use to beat myself up a lot. Still do sometimes, but at the end of the day it's just a game. I pay to play, not get paid to play. I am thankful I can play it and play half decent.

[Awesomeguy887]

I've got a lot of sympathy for the OP. I know the feeling he describes exactly. This season I seem to follow a great round with terrible round every time; just no consistency to my game.

 

When I start feeling like that I find the best thing I can do is golf with my three year old daughter. She thinks all my shots are amazing and is just happy to be outside and doing stuff with me.

 

It's just a game. Have fun. Don't take it too seriously. And don't quit your day job.

[Ifelloffladder]

I played today for the 1st time in a couple of weeks, but have been playing quite a bit this year. I started well, but ended up with a horrible round. I thought back and realized that I just frittered away 14 strokes...not because of golf "talent" per se, but just because of silly mistakes or easy shots that I missed (and I didn't make ANYTHING with the putter even though I was hitting my lines and speeds but just burned edges).

 

Anyway, I thought about my journey in golf, and I honestly can't think of any activity I've spent any time with in my lifetime that I've invested so much time, energy and money into yet got so little back in return. I spend a fortune on golf (clubs, clothes, memberships, greens fees, etc.), and I also spend a lot of time away from my family and job for golf (which probably also costs me). I have improved a lot over the last 5 years, but I seem to be backtracking right now.

 

I've got a good swing. And at different times, I can be a really good putter and can be really sharp with short game and can drive it well and can hit irons where I want...but I can never put it all together, and I can practice/ practice/ practice something and it will get better sometimes but will also blow up whenever it is really inconvenient.

 

I've "quit" golf twice before, and I'm very close to doing it again. It is just insane how much I put into it to get so little out of it.

 

I suggest you stop thinking you're that good and become more humble in your approach at playing the game and realize the things you think you know are just a way to cope with your lack of understanding of this challenging game. We all think we are "pros" when it comes to our swings but to be frank we are not even close to mastering this game or golf swing. I have accepted long ago that no matter how good I think I am I a really stink at the game. Sorry to sound harsh.

[brentkosta]

I played today for the 1st time in a couple of weeks, but have been playing quite a bit this year. I started well, but ended up with a horrible round. I thought back and realized that I just frittered away 14 strokes...not because of golf "talent" per se, but just because of silly mistakes or easy shots that I missed (and I didn't make ANYTHING with the putter even though I was hitting my lines and speeds but just burned edges).

 

Anyway, I thought about my journey in golf, and I honestly can't think of any activity I've spent any time with in my lifetime that I've invested so much time, energy and money into yet got so little back in return. I spend a fortune on golf (clubs, clothes, memberships, greens fees, etc.), and I also spend a lot of time away from my family and job for golf (which probably also costs me). I have improved a lot over the last 5 years, but I seem to be backtracking right now.

 

I've got a good swing. And at different times, I can be a really good putter and can be really sharp with short game and can drive it well and can hit irons where I want...but I can never put it all together, and I can practice/ practice/ practice something and it will get better sometimes but will also blow up whenever it is really inconvenient.

 

I've "quit" golf twice before, and I'm very close to doing it again. It is just insane how much I put into it to get so little out of it.

 

As long as your not pkaying in front of me I don't really care if you quit. The reason your frustrated is you think your better than you are. Get over that and you will start to play better

 

You come across as an angry and rude individual with that post. Having a birdie with a 120 score is luck. If somebody strings 6 or 7 pars together it isn't luck. They obviously have the skill in them somewhere. So to just say that he thinks he's better than he is offers nothing to the thread. He's frustrated because he struggles with consistency. Which we all deal with. Personally I'm a perfectionist. If I can't excel at something that I spend a lot of time doing I take it hard. Thats a personality fault of mine. I've never accused myself of being great at this sport. Golfers with this personality trait have a hard time enjoying the game as much as we should.

 

You have no right to use a backhanded remark insinuating that he isn't any good. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. We tend to give people the benefit of the doubt on an anonymous forum. Just like we give you the benefit of the doubt that you are an actual 8 handicap. We would never know if you took 5 mulligans a round or followed every rule to a tee. The OP might be a better golfer than you with other issues to deal with. Never know.

[Kevinx]

I played today for the 1st time in a couple of weeks, but have been playing quite a bit this year. I started well, but ended up with a horrible round. I thought back and realized that I just frittered away 14 strokes...not because of golf "talent" per se, but just because of silly mistakes or easy shots that I missed (and I didn't make ANYTHING with the putter even though I was hitting my lines and speeds but just burned edges).

 

Anyway, I thought about my journey in golf, and I honestly can't think of any activity I've spent any time with in my lifetime that I've invested so much time, energy and money into yet got so little back in return. I spend a fortune on golf (clubs, clothes, memberships, greens fees, etc.), and I also spend a lot of time away from my family and job for golf (which probably also costs me). I have improved a lot over the last 5 years, but I seem to be backtracking right now.

 

I've got a good swing. And at different times, I can be a really good putter and can be really sharp with short game and can drive it well and can hit irons where I want...but I can never put it all together, and I can practice/ practice/ practice something and it will get better sometimes but will also blow up whenever it is really inconvenient.

 

I've "quit" golf twice before, and I'm very close to doing it again. It is just insane how much I put into it to get so little out of it.

 

As long as your not pkaying in front of me I don't really care if you quit. The reason your frustrated is you think your better than you are. Get over that and you will start to play better

 

You come across as an angry and rude individual with that post. Having a birdie with a 120 score is luck. If somebody strings 6 or 7 pars together it isn't luck. They obviously have the skill in them somewhere. So to just say that he thinks he's better than he is offers nothing to the thread. He's frustrated because he struggles with consistency. Which we all deal with. Personally I'm a perfectionist. If I can't excel at something that I spend a lot of time doing I take it hard. Thats a personality fault of mine. I've never accused myself of being great at this sport. Golfers with this personality trait have a hard time enjoying the game as much as we should.

 

You have no right to use a backhanded remark insinuating that he isn't any good. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. We tend to give people the benefit of the doubt on an anonymous forum. Just like we give you the benefit of the doubt that you are an actual 8 handicap. We would never know if you took 5 mulligans a round or followed every rule to a tee. The OP might be a better golfer than you with other issues to deal with. Never know.

 

You sound like a person who got alot participation trophies

[brentkosta]

I played today for the 1st time in a couple of weeks, but have been playing quite a bit this year. I started well, but ended up with a horrible round. I thought back and realized that I just frittered away 14 strokes...not because of golf "talent" per se, but just because of silly mistakes or easy shots that I missed (and I didn't make ANYTHING with the putter even though I was hitting my lines and speeds but just burned edges).

 

Anyway, I thought about my journey in golf, and I honestly can't think of any activity I've spent any time with in my lifetime that I've invested so much time, energy and money into yet got so little back in return. I spend a fortune on golf (clubs, clothes, memberships, greens fees, etc.), and I also spend a lot of time away from my family and job for golf (which probably also costs me). I have improved a lot over the last 5 years, but I seem to be backtracking right now.

 

I've got a good swing. And at different times, I can be a really good putter and can be really sharp with short game and can drive it well and can hit irons where I want...but I can never put it all together, and I can practice/ practice/ practice something and it will get better sometimes but will also blow up whenever it is really inconvenient.

 

I've "quit" golf twice before, and I'm very close to doing it again. It is just insane how much I put into it to get so little out of it.

 

As long as your not pkaying in front of me I don't really care if you quit. The reason your frustrated is you think your better than you are. Get over that and you will start to play better

 

You come across as an angry and rude individual with that post. Having a birdie with a 120 score is luck. If somebody strings 6 or 7 pars together it isn't luck. They obviously have the skill in them somewhere. So to just say that he thinks he's better than he is offers nothing to the thread. He's frustrated because he struggles with consistency. Which we all deal with. Personally I'm a perfectionist. If I can't excel at something that I spend a lot of time doing I take it hard. Thats a personality fault of mine. I've never accused myself of being great at this sport. Golfers with this personality trait have a hard time enjoying the game as much as we should.

 

You have no right to use a backhanded remark insinuating that he isn't any good. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. We tend to give people the benefit of the doubt on an anonymous forum. Just like we give you the benefit of the doubt that you are an actual 8 handicap. We would never know if you took 5 mulligans a round or followed every rule to a tee. The OP might be a better golfer than you with other issues to deal with. Never know.

 

You sound like a person who got alot participation trophies

 

I have already wasted enough time on you. Things will get better for you, kid.

[gvogel]

I played today for the 1st time in a couple of weeks, but have been playing quite a bit this year. I started well, but ended up with a horrible round. I thought back and realized that I just frittered away 14 strokes...not because of golf "talent" per se, but just because of silly mistakes or easy shots that I missed (and I didn't make ANYTHING with the putter even though I was hitting my lines and speeds but just burned edges).

 

Anyway, I thought about my journey in golf, and I honestly can't think of any activity I've spent any time with in my lifetime that I've invested so much time, energy and money into yet got so little back in return. I spend a fortune on golf (clubs, clothes, memberships, greens fees, etc.), and I also spend a lot of time away from my family and job for golf (which probably also costs me). I have improved a lot over the last 5 years, but I seem to be backtracking right now.

 

I've got a good swing. And at different times, I can be a really good putter and can be really sharp with short game and can drive it well and can hit irons where I want...but I can never put it all together, and I can practice/ practice/ practice something and it will get better sometimes but will also blow up whenever it is really inconvenient.

 

I've "quit" golf twice before, and I'm very close to doing it again. It is just insane how much I put into it to get so little out of it.

 

Buy a road bike, and ride for exercise. You'll feel great afterwards.

 

When you stop "trying" at golf, you will enjoy it. There are a lot of old guys where I play that love the game. They don't have expectations.

 

So, keep your clubs; when you get older and can't do a lot of the other athletic things that you used to do, golf will be there, waiting for you.

 

But, if you work your tail off on the fundamentals of golf, and particularly the short game and pitching, when you get to your older years you will be way ahead of the game.

 

This game rewards those who work at it, and work on fundamentals. Not the swing of the current "great coaches". Not the guys with the newest, best technology in drivers, etc. If you pick up decent clubs, and stick with them, and work on your ball striking, you will develop a game that you can trust. And, you can enjoy.

 

Good luck to you. Keep at it. I quit the game several times. Fortunately, I came back every time. I am over 60 now, and I understand the golf swing, and the game, and the short game, and I accept golf for what it is. It is a really good game, if you walk and don't take it ultra seriously. (I play with 9 clubs and really enjoy my golf these days. And, I don't always putt out. I simply enjoy going around the golf course, hitting shots, and trying to finish the hole with a putt.)

[Sean2]

I think you have to be a bit of a masochist to play this game. It is one of the few activities where there is not a direct correlation between hard work and improved results.

 

Today I shot 47/37.

 

Who does that?

[SmashGolfBall]

I thought quit playing golf twice in the past 5 years but never committed. Once a while, I sliced, shanked, pull hooked, just every kind of bad shots you can imagine have showed up in my swing. And I was so frustrated that I almost lost the interests in this game. But my wife were very supportive and always encouraged me to practice on the range and seek help from a good teaching pro (I mean, really good coach). I kept reading different golf swing books, such as "Five lessons", Jim Hardy's "Two swing planes", and many other different swing thoughts and theories. Then experimented the swing theories on the range with patience, critical thinking and self-evaluating. I did visit my swing coach from time to time to make sure I was on the right track.

 

I switched from game improvement irons to blade irons to focus more on the solid contact and shot shaping, rather than distance and "forgiveness". My handicap dropped from 20 plus to about 7 right now. I don't put lots of attention on my swing mechanics, if I make a bad shot on the course, I won't think too much about my swing. Instead, I just let myself slow down a bit, take a deep breath, loose my muscles, play conservatively, focus on tempo and rhythm, think about the attack strategy, then make the shot. Whether it good or not, I will just accept it.

 

I am still improving, far away from any satisfaction. But I enjoyed the process, it is more like a self-discovery and inner-conversation with yourself. I just feel the game is more about strategy and mental strength. We just need to believe in ourselves and make commitment with hard work.