Golf as a lifestyle

[djohnsonx]

My supervisor and I were talking golf after work when he posed a good question: what is it about golf that makes it into a lifestyle for people?  We both live for golf. My wife loves to play but couldn't tell you what clubs she had if you held a gun to her head. For her it's not a lifestyle, it's just something she does on the weekends. That being said, what is it about golf that makes us spend so much time thinking about it, spending time playing it, watching it on tv, watching YouTube videos, reading books and magazines, posting in forums, testing equipment, building clubs, working golf jobs, etc? Would be interested to hear some thoughts on why golf dominates our lives.

[chinaski]

I don't see a universal answer to this. For me personally, as a competitive person and somewhat of a perfectionist, it is a perfect storm. I came into golf in my late 30's after years of baseball/softball. I always loved gear: gloves/bats. And I loved BP. That has transitioned into clubs and range time. I would never trade my time on the diamond, but wish I took up the game sooner. 

[golfandfishing]

It’s the very rare sport that nearly everyone can play for most of their lives. It takes you outside, with friends to spend most of a day in typically a beautiful setting. Even the most urban of munis still houses birds, fish, lizards, frogs, etc.  Golf is an enjoyable activity that enhances relationships, friendships and your overall physical and mental health. If it makes you happy, enjoy it as much as possible. A lot of the other options (news, politics, religion, etc) to occupy your time and brain are not great if you haven’t noticed. 

[Steele47]

1 hour ago, chinaski said:

I don't see a universal answer to this. For me personally, as a competitive person and somewhat of a perfectionist, it is a perfect storm. I came into golf in my late 30's after years of baseball/softball. I always loved gear: gloves/bats. And I loved BP. That has transitioned into clubs and range time. I would never trade my time on the diamond, but wish I took up the game sooner. 

What is BP?  

[Ghostwedge]

Like chinaski I came into golf late (25) but its always been "in me" since I was 3-4 yrs old. It's a fascination with a ball and a sfick, golf is the answer.

[Ghostwedge]

3 minutes ago, Steele47 said:

What is BP?  

Batting practice.

[LeoLeo99]

4 minutes ago, Steele47 said:

What is BP?  

I'm guessing batting practice.  

[Steele47]

Gotta brush up on my acronyms I guess.

[GHIN n Juice]

For me it is two things:

 

1) I started playing in the late 80s as a pre-teen.  At that time there was no Tiger Woods and golf was not the coolest sport for kids.  But, the golf course was a place where my mom or grandma would drop me off for a whole day, outside, with $20.  It was awesome!   I met other kids who did the same thing and those people have been lifelong friends.  In fact, we still go back home every year to play a few tournaments together.  At its core, golf is a link to my childhood.  Few things in life can connect the past to the present like golf.

 

2) I was lucky enough to grow up in Utah with some of the most beautiful, and cheap, courses in the country.  4 hours, outside, on a mountain course in Utah is as close as I’ll ever get to heaven.  And, I can do it until the day I die.

[djohnsonx]

For me, it's almost like a "what's the meaning of life" question. I started late, in my early 30's.  I wish I would have started way earlier. I get to play 6 months out of the year yet my addiction to golf lasts all year long. I pay attention every year to all of the new gear coming out knowing full well that I'll probably never buy it brand new.  It doesn't stop me from reading and watching reviews all while trying to learn all that I can about the latest and greatest.  I spend time playing a great game that I'll never truly master in this lifetime.  It doesn't stop me from trying to get better.  There something about golf that has stuck with me but I can't put a finger on it. Something that is more than just playing a game in a beautiful setting, with friends or family you care about. When golf gets it's hooks in you, they go in deep.

[jordan2240]

The setting, the camaraderie, the physical and questionably mental benefits all contribute, but what makes it an obsession is the vast variety in the components of the game.  You could literally swing the club 25 different ways, with each having some success.  You could putt with 10+ different grips and/or styles, and that might be in just one round.  The equipment changes constantly, and you'll never know which suits you best because there are so many options.  There are constant improvements in technology such as electric carts, better bags, clothing designs, etc.  In any given round, you can hit a shot just as good as any pro would, so there's the constant tease that maybe some round you'll put it all together.  And the 'field' upon which you play is more varied than in any other sport and is often worthy of its own discussion.  I don't know of any other sport that gives you more to think about and talk about.

[596]

It's not just golf. It's pretty much any sport someone gets involved in.  For 22 years it was triathlons for me.  It was a lifestyle.  Even more so then golf for me now.  You had to eat breath and sleep for training and racing.  What you did today, setup what you would do tomorrow. And the equipment advances were constant.  If you wanted to be the fastest you had to keep up with everything. It was crazy. 

[ChaosTheory]

It’s the addictive feeling of a well struck shot.  Every one of those is another hit of the drug.

 

 

[BHI 99]

Not too many sports where you can play anyone, anywhere and have a competitive round regardless of ability. As far as lifestyle, there’s plenty of a social aspect that it’s worth revolving a vacation around. Food, drink, outdoors, time with your spouse. Not much else offers as much. Maybe hiking and camping. 

[Blaiser]

6 hours ago, 596 said:

It's not just golf. It's pretty much any sport someone gets involved in.  For 22 years it was triathlons for me.  It was a lifestyle.  Even more so then golf for me now.  You had to eat breath and sleep for training and racing.  What you did today, setup what you would do tomorrow. And the equipment advances were constant.  If you wanted to be the fastest you had to keep up with everything. It was crazy. 

 

Fully agree. Most people turn their hobbies into a lifestyle. Art, music, video games, fitness, chess....list goes on. Most people could go on and on for hours about a hobby/craft they really love. And it's totally normal and I love it. Take pride in your hobby.

 

I actually have a hard time understanding the opposite. I have a buddy that I've played golf with every weekend for over 2 years and he still doesn't even know how far each club goes. He just gets out there to enjoy the round and doesn't spend a single second thinking about golf unless he is on the course. Kind of amazing in a way.

 

[J_Tizzle]

Overall I'd say friends and the competitiveness.  I don't care if I shoot 85, but if 85 is the best round of the day in the group and I walk away with the money, then that makes me happy.

 

Like many have said, I started at 13-14 and its what I did, I made many lifelong friends playing chipping games while my parents were at work, and its still the number one thing I do with my brothers and dad to this day.  It's always "what time do you want to play Saturday" vs come over and watch the game.

 

That said, I'm also guilty of liking to buy clubs vs practicing, so its a gear aspect to it as well.

[aenemated]

For me, it's been a big part of my life for seriously as long as I can remember; having started when I was pretty young. It was a way to bond with my dad and spend time doing something together we both loved to do. My favorite memories of childhood are the Sunday rounds we played with great regularity for a good 15 years. By the time I was 10 or so, summer vacations became golf trips instead of just beach trips. 

 

I didn't play much for many years after he passed away and when I finally came back to regular play, it felt like reconnecting with him. Every time I step on the first tee;  I can kinda see him standing off to the side, proud to watch his boy play pretty well. (every so often these days haha)

 

So yeah, it keeps me connected to my dad. He never much cared for the music I was playing! 

[MattM97]

For me and other athletes you hear in interviews our sport was out live for so long and was all we knew and what we focused on most of the time. Then after that many don't really have anything to focus on and a friend tells you to try golf, you try it and see how bad you are at first but as a former athlete you can't be bad at it you have to get good. So now your goal is to be good at golf or at least better than your friends.

 

On top of that it's a good escape for me, life is crazy and you need to shut out the world for a bit and the 3+ hours that I'm on a course the world doesn't exist for me. Some days I don't care if I'm on pace to shoot 110 I'm just out there enjoying the weather, my buddies and nothing else at all.

[el_caporal]

I’ve always had a sport based lifestyle. Thru college it was baseball. Thru 20’s, it was moving west to ski. Golf was always in the picture but it was recreational and those were my priorities. I’d eat, sleep, dream it. 
 

Similarly, golf has endless considerations for the tactical mind… equipment, swing, style/ approach, goals/ desired outcomes. Then there’s the entertainment and social aspects.
 

I’m in Florida “against my will”… at least 16 more years (daughter here). Was kind of miserable dreaming about the mountains for a while, “best is behind me.” Had saved to buy a cabin and ski bum into eternity… found out I’d be dad weeks before leaving. Negative/ poor thought processes… and silly it didn’t click sooner, but realized golf could fill gaps of what I was missing. It got me out of a funk and now, more obsessed w/ the game than ever. I am golf, golf is me… and Florida is good (ok) 😂 

[el_caporal]

On 1/13/2023 at 9:43 PM, GHIN n Juice said:

For me it is two things:

 

1) I started playing in the late 80s as a pre-teen.  At that time there was no Tiger Woods and golf was not the coolest sport for kids.  But, the golf course was a place where my mom or grandma would drop me off for a whole day, outside, with $20.  It was awesome!   I met other kids who did the same thing and those people have been lifelong friends.  In fact, we still go back home every year to play a few tournaments together.  At its core, golf is a link to my childhood.  Few things in life can connect the past to the present like golf.

 

2) I was lucky enough to grow up in Utah with some of the most beautiful, and cheap, courses in the country.  4 hours, outside, on a mountain course in Utah is as close as I’ll ever get to heaven.  And, I can do it until the day I die.

Very cool/ relevant. I lived in Utah until I was 9, again thru 20’s. I’m LH, but grandpa had plastic balls, net, and garage full of RH clubs… so I just started banging. A typical (pre-iPad) kid… stick and ball lifestyle, lol. His house, then and now, backs up to Rose Park GC. My parents are in St. George. Lot of good golf in Utah (not Rose Park lol). 

 

My growing up in Georgia parallels your first part. Course across the street was literally summer daycare and after school program. 1-2 moms drop off then others pick up. Regular group of 3-8. 36 holes w/ an $800 annual family membership. We’d walk 45-54 holes in Georgia July heat, only stop for a grilled cheese and Gatorade… then we’d play up/ down for quarters until mom’s headlights hit the gate. It was about the golfing… but also, just hanging in the woods w/ buddies. Who doesn’t love that??

[jomatty]

Golf is perfect for me because it always gives you something to obsess over.  You can’t completely learn it.  There iwill never be a time when I am completely satisfied with my swing, my mindset, and my gear.  The gear is definitely the least important but adds a low stress and fun element to the game.  Working on the minutiae of my swing can get a little stressful as I learn new concepts and lose touch with previously understood concepts and feels.  That cycle will always continue as will the cycle of putting in time on weaknesses to improve but then finding that previous strengths have been neglected and now need attention.  Round and round I go as there are only so many hours in the day.  Equipment on the other hand is fun.  I know that once I had a well fit set of clubs there was only so much help any gear change could give me.  However, I love obsessing over wether two hybrids is better than than a 4 iron or possibly a GI 4 iron instead of the one that fits my set and thing like this.  Endless possibilities.  
also, like others have touched on, many of our young lives revolved around sports.  Being able to stay competitive as we age is a great thing for me.  Even at 45 I can’t play baseball and softball at a level I enjoy as much anymore.  As long as I stay even semi healthy golf will be an option.

Finally, modern life is soft and you need things to focus on.  Something has to fill the days…

[naval2006]

On 1/13/2023 at 10:55 PM, golfandfishing said:

 Golf is an enjoyable activity that enhances relationships, friendships and your overall physical and mental health. If it makes you happy, enjoy it as much as possible. 

Great comment on the mental and social aspects of our game.

 

18 hours ago, BHI 99 said:

Not too many sports where you can play anyone, anywhere and have a competitive round regardless of ability. 

Competition is one of the most addictive elements of golf through time, indeed. 

 

16 hours ago, aenemated said:

My favorite memories of childhood are the Sunday rounds we played with great regularity for a good 15 years. By the time I was 10 or so, summer vacations became golf trips instead of just beach trips. 

Golf and childhood often make an eternal marriage 

 

I always thought golf became the center of your life after decades of playing.  But then I noticed newer players too get hooked up to that extreme.  So I conclude it's not just about time but there are all the things mentioned in the thread that make up for this passion.  

 

 

[Roody]

I think we all like to find something we enjoy, something that we can devote energy into becoming better at. For many years that was me with golf. But it has evolved a little for me in the past 5 years. My wife and I joined a private club in '18, and now it's become more about making friends and enjoying experiences. When we get out to walk 18 holes we get exercise, companionship, and fun. Now my wife and I take trips where the golf is the #1 focus, and it's what we enjoy. 

[MelloYello]

I'm in my 30s and I would say the majority of people my age get away from work or kids with some form of gaming (PC, console, etc.). Most men seem to go directly to a gym for their workouts rather than "doing stuff." Most go out with friends drinking for social stuff. And most chill at home with gaming and streaming to relax. 

 

To me, nothing ever gets done there. You may end up fit and healthy but you don't necessarily have a skill. You may be social with friends but that gets repetitive. And after a certain amount of gaming/streaming you get bored with that too as it doesn't yield any great accomplishments you can be proud of. 

 

So most men ultimately end up stuck pulling their sense of self-worth and pride from (1) their family/kids and (2) their income. Nothing wrong with either but it's nice to have other stuff you're happy doing. 

 

 

 

I was pretty hardcore with Call of Duty for about a decade in my 20s. I understand full well how addictive that can be. It's more competitive than sports and it's really "edge-of-your-seat" in terms of dopamine & adrenaline. It's a rush that sports can't really touch because it's purely mental. There's no physical aspect to hold you back. The games are fast-paced and you can act as fast as your brain can process. There's never a need to slow down and rest as in sports. 

 

But as I got older and moved on from competitive gaming, I got into golf because (1) I played sports as a kid and have always been coordinated, (2) it gets you outside and out of the house which is really important and (3) it's social so you can do it with people and be proud of what you accomplish. I could imagine doing other things like tennis or cycling or hiking but golf just seems more in line with my skills (hitting a ball with a stick). 

 

Also, I can't say enough about the social element. You need to have friends in life and golf fits rather perfectly with that. 

[Stanks]

Very insightful inputs in here. I wouldn't say it was a "lifestyle" for me but, a new passion that seems to arise every so often in our lives.

Played team sports like most of you as a kid. Parents pushed me into soccer and baseball and all that stuff which were all good but, always felt forced and I didn't care for them. Turns out I was just small, fast, and didn't mind getting into peoples faces. Perfect for a relief striker in Soccer that wasn't afraid to get penalties and cause hell and a pinch runner in baseball. Anyways, quit all of those against my parents request and played paintball competitively at a high-ish level for 20+ years. 

Found a career, a new place to live and settled down. Always hit the range and played golf with my dad as a kid then, golf came roaring back in my life mid 20s to early 30s. I still play a lot and am still into it but, not nearly as much as I used to be.

New priorities. New passions. And maybe a resurgence of more time into golf as I move forward in life.

It can be an addiction. An internal fight with yourself that you simply can't get in the office, at home with the family, at the bar with friends, or your social team sport league one or two nights a week. It's you against you and that self building is not a readily available thing the older you get so, lifestyle / passion it is.

[ChaosTheory]

It begs the question, when does an obsession with golf go from good for you to bad for you?  I think we all know that feeling.  I just read Seven Days In Utopia, and it encouraged me to see golf as the fun it should be, and not to obsess about it.  Especially about my clubs.  Time will tell.

Edited January 17, 2023 by Snowman9000

[djohnsonx]

1 hour ago, Snowman9000 said:

It begs the question, when does an obsession with golf go from good for you to bad for you?

I'd say it's an unhealthy obsession if you buy a new driver or Cameron and your family can't eat for a week. If you spend your child's college fund on a private course membership it may not be great either. I guess it could be bad if you start skipping work to play or never see your family because of golf.  For me, golf is a family affair so our obsession with playing is mutual. I never buy clubs or anything else if it'll put us in a financial bind.  My unhealthy obsession is with the scorecard.  I'm always concerned about scoring better than what my skill level will let me achieve.  Sometimes when I just put the scorecard away I notice golf is more enjoyable just for the good shots/putts.

[MelloYello]

On 1/17/2023 at 12:00 PM, djohnsonx said:

I'd say it's an unhealthy obsession if you buy a new driver or Cameron and your family can't eat for a week. If you spend your child's college fund on a private course membership it may not be great either. I guess it could be bad if you start skipping work to play or never see your family because of golf.  For me, golf is a family affair so our obsession with playing is mutual. I never buy clubs or anything else if it'll put us in a financial bind.  My unhealthy obsession is with the scorecard.  I'm always concerned about scoring better than what my skill level will let me achieve.  Sometimes when I just put the scorecard away I notice golf is more enjoyable just for the good shots/putts.

 

I get into (mental) trouble when I play several days consecutively or otherwise fill my week with 4-5 days of golf. 

 

I remember a week last year where I played 9 holes on Tuesday for my work league. I practiced on Wednesday and Thursday (probably playing a few in there as well). I played 18 on Friday since I had the day off. Then I played 18 on Sat and Sun in money games, even sneaking in an extra 9 holes before the sun went down. I can't remember how many holes that was, 80 or 90-something that week, but by the end I had no feelings about golf anymore. I was completely numb. Staying at home felt as appealing as playing at that point. Golf became a chore. 

 

It's easy to get burned out if you do golf 4-5 days out of the week. Breaks are important to keep the excitement and motivation. 

[el_caporal]

On 1/17/2023 at 12:00 PM, djohnsonx said:

I'd say it's an unhealthy obsession if you buy a new driver or Cameron and your family can't eat for a week. If you spend your child's college fund on a private course membership it may not be great either. I guess it could be bad if you start skipping work to play or never see your family because of golf.  For me, golf is a family affair so our obsession with playing is mutual. I never buy clubs or anything else if it'll put us in a financial bind.  My unhealthy obsession is with the scorecard.  I'm always concerned about scoring better than what my skill level will let me achieve.  Sometimes when I just put the scorecard away I notice golf is more enjoyable just for the good shots/putts.

True. I haven’t carded a full round in a month. Our course has been so jammed up (snowbirds, poor grouping/ pace of play management) …it’s hurry up, then wait. I actually paused my membership this week b/c of it. There’s a wait to get on the range, and no grass to hit off when you get in! As much as I’d prefer to join a private rn… your first point is the rule. 
 

And agree the card can be an unhealthy distraction, context determines if/ when it’s valid. I already prefer/ play better in the rhythm of walking over cart golf (fast or slow). And rn, can hardly afford a true on ball pre-shot… but have to stew over the next shot for 3-5 minutes at a time. It’s FL, and we’re lucky to have January golf so I expect no sympathy. But I look forward to walking the 90 degree heat of late sunsets, carrying 3 shirt changes… keeping a card. 

[caeye0710]

I think the answer will differ based on the person, but for me it's because of how golf impacted me growing up. 

 

- Dawn til dusk at the local club(s) with my buddies in high school. Now being 34 with a wife and two kids, I only get together with the guys 2-3 times per year for weekend trips. 

- Working in the golf business for close to a decade, but really 4-5 years of those stand out as the greatest job I ever had

- The excitement you get (even in your mid-30s) in looking forward to a weekend round. Checking the weather forecast, prepping your clubs, leaving way to early for 9am tee time just so you can hang at the clubhouse for a couple of hours extra. 

- Experiencing great things like an ace, or shooting a year/career low. 

- Having those days where everything clicks and you're on fire. 

 

Nothing is more rewarding as far as sport goes. Nothing brings you to your knees like this godforsaken game. 

 

I love golf.