Have you ever fell out of love with the game?

[byoshio82]

On 9/19/2023 at 11:38 PM, Kingdog said:

Have been a golf nut since I was 10 years old. Our seasons are short here on the prairies in Canada so every spring in April around Masters time I would get so excited for another 6 short months of golf. Now I think I'm taking next year off completely and maybe permanently. 

 

I had a golf trip this summer that I have been planning for 5 years. 5 bucket list courses in the Rocky Mountains in 4 days with close friends and relatives. I played terrible. Got so frustrated with my play I broke the shaft on my 5 iron. After the trip I didn't play for a month and a half. And honestly had no desire to play. My Dad invited me out this past weekend for a quick 9 holes. Sleepwalked to a 51. Didn't feel anything.

 

Guy's I might be done with a game I've loved for 40 years of my life. Has anyone else ever felt this way before? Did it pass? My wife is ecstatic about getting her husband for a whole year next year and I don't blame her. She deserves it after putting up with the game for 25 years of marriage.  Honestly if I received a email tonight informing me that I won a all expenses paid trip to Bandon Dunes a place I have dreamed about going to I would probably pass. I feel like what's the point I would play terrible. Anyone else been in this dark place? I hope not it doesn't feel good.

100% I have multiple times. My Grandfather got me hooked on the game at 5-6 years old and I played competitively till about 19-20.

 

After HS and alot of junior golf I took a 10+ year hiatus. Mostly because I was partying and battling addiction/alcoholism. I would play occasionally but nothing serious or consistenlty. Once I got sober in 2011 I got the love of the game back and it help me mentally and gave me something to focus on besides recovery and my career. I dove headfirst into the game and this is when I really became a GOLFWRX'er. Loved learning about all the gear and equipment and how it worked and translated to the course. Played a ton of tournaments and golf in general. Granted I was single and had a career that allowed me to travel and play golf all over the US. Always had my clubs and played or practiced probably 5-6 times a week. Got my handicap back to it's lowest point since HS (2 handicap). 

 

2018- 2023 - Kids - Including a step son with autism took up most of my time and I happily gave up golf for quality time with my boys. December of 21 we moved from Oregon to MN and I hurt my back March of 2022 and was out of commision for most of the 22 season. Maybe played 9 holes total. However this allowed me time to spend with my middle son who was 4 at the time and he got the bug quick. 2023 spring he really got hooked and we spent most of our free time hitting balls on our 3 acres. 2024 - Chomping at the bit to get back to playing a bunch. Clubs are all dialed in and both my middle son and my wife have got the bug too!lol! 

 

It seems everytime I need a break it happens for a good reason and allows me to shift focus elsewhere. Then the love always comes back for me and sometimes if it's work and not enjoyable it's totally fine to take a break and see what happens from there. 

 

If you haven't played Bandon before regardless of how bad you play it is an experience and even my abosulte worst rounds there have been enjoyable with the exception of one that I had pnemonia and didn't know it and played Old Mac in 30+ mph winds then had to drive back to Portland after the round!lol! Take a year off and see what it does for you. Not only from a game stand point but life as well. Maybe spending a year with your wife doing somethings enjoyable together will help you find the balance again and love of the game. Or in some cases maybe you will find a new hobby and that's not a bad thing either if Golf has run it's course and become not enjoyable. 

 

Either way keep your head up! WE ALL go through these ups and downs. Just like our game goes good and bad.

[AddInfinitum]

Nope. However have quit during the round on several occasions.  

[rickshaw]

 

On 9/19/2023 at 9:38 PM, Kingdog said:

Have been a golf nut since I was 10 years old. Our seasons are short here on the prairies in Canada so every spring in April around Masters time I would get so excited for another 6 short months of golf. Now I think I'm taking next year off completely and maybe permanently. 

 

I had a golf trip this summer that I have been planning for 5 years. 5 bucket list courses in the Rocky Mountains in 4 days with close friends and relatives. I played terrible. Got so frustrated with my play I broke the shaft on my 5 iron. After the trip I didn't play for a month and a half. And honestly had no desire to play. My Dad invited me out this past weekend for a quick 9 holes. Sleepwalked to a 51. Didn't feel anything.

 

Guy's I might be done with a game I've loved for 40 years of my life. Has anyone else ever felt this way before? Did it pass? My wife is ecstatic about getting her husband for a whole year next year and I don't blame her. She deserves it after putting up with the game for 25 years of marriage.  Honestly if I received a email tonight informing me that I won a all expenses paid trip to Bandon Dunes a place I have dreamed about going to I would probably pass. I feel like what's the point I would play terrible. Anyone else been in this dark place? I hope not it doesn't feel good.

I use to play 5 to 6 days a week. I got down to a 4 handicap. Played a lot of tournaments. I loved it and couldn't get enough. Then I got a job out of town and only play once on the weekends and a couple practices sessions after work during the summer days. It's hard to drive an hour thru traffic after working all day and drag myself to the course. My handicap went up to 11.1. I can't really play during the winter because of time change. I did start to lose interest over the last couple years. It's hard to except that your not as good as you once were. Ive started to except the fact that I might not ever be as good as I once was but I still have fun when I get to go out. This year my spark is definitely back and I'm excited to get back to the grind. I hope you can find your spark again! 

[phizzy30]

I stepped away from the game for a couple of years for personal and health reasons a long time ago.  My game has also fallen apart so bad in the past that I've thought about quitting the game a few times.  I got through all that and while not playing the best golf of my life, it's still acceptable and I enjoy it more now than ever. 

Edited April 18, 2024 by phizzy30

[DaleUK]

I’m at a point where I could walk away

dont get me wrong I love it but having time to play this sport at a good level is so difficult

 

 

 

 

[bekgolf]

On 4/17/2024 at 8:20 PM, phizzy30 said:

I stepped away from the game for a couple of years for personal and health reasons a long time ago.  My game has also fallen apart so bad in the past that I've thought about quitting the game a few times.  I got through all that and while not playing the best golf of my life, it's still acceptable and I enjoy it more now than ever. 

 

I'm at a similar point.  I've gone from 3x a week to nothing in the past month, it almost seems like I'm going to work when I get ready to go play 18.  I have no desire to engage a pro to fix whatever is going on, I just want to take an extended break from the game.

[Kai Slater]

I was an avid golfer back in the mid 1990s to about 2008, playing, on average 2-3 times per week and hitting balls nearly every day.  I reached the point  where I could and would shoot mostly in the 78-84 range on any given round.  I even had a few rounds of 76, including one in Myrtle Beach, where we would frequently gather the family/friends and go for week-long golf trips.  Same with Florida.  I was in my 20s and early 30s, strong, flexible, former track/field state champ, baseball player, etc....golf was "easy" for me, until it all came crashing down one summer in Myrtle Beach.

 

Summer of 2008, I'm at my usual Myrtle Beach area courses on a golf trip, when suddenly I lost my swing, my touch, and my entire attitude/enjoyment for golf.  It was Lions Paw golf course, when it all fell apart.  I could hit it a mile, but in all the wrong directions.  How about a 285 yard hook into the next fairway?  Or hit a nice drive, then totally air-mail the approach to the green by 30 yards, then chunk two chips trying to get on the green where I 3 putt?  Or, hit a 280 yard power block/ slice into the forest OB?  Add in about 11 of the greens 3-putting and I end the round with a score of 101.  I still remember the score......I did this same thing for an entire week and had a miserable trip. I couldn't figure out why and I was too prideful and maybe "cheap" to seek help.  I'll figure this out on my own.....and I never did.

 

I returned home and the piss-poor playing continued.  One day, after a four-man, best-ball tournament, playing like a total beginner hack, I put the clubs away; gave them to my wife's club-pro relative, and gave it up.  I told him that it's just not fun anymore and, at the time, with two young toddlers and a very stressful job, I wanted a break from golf.  

 

After all, golf is expensive, and why pay lots of money to just be bad at something?  From my perspective, it's not fun to play poorly.  Anyway, this "break" from golf lasted nearly 16 years.  I was 35 when I gave it up, now I'm almost 52 now and just now am returning to the game slowly.  Now, however, I realize that I have lost my speed, flexibility, and some of the mobility that I had 16 years ago.  I'm ok with that and now have much lower expectation.  Looking back on it all, I believe that my frustration was rooted in unrealistic expectations.  Sports always came fairly easy to me, so why would golf be any different?  I set the bar very high in my mind and, when I failed to reach that bar (i.e. bad shots, poor putting, etc.) that tension would creep in and get me upset.

[kwcsports]

I retired last summer and thought I would play 4-5 times a week. What I've found is I have so many other things I enjoy doing, golf has taken a back seat. I haven't fallen out of love but do not have the desire to play much right now. Cost is one big factor and the courses are overrun here in Nova Scotia, hard to get times. I may re-join my club next year after a few year break as paying 100 per round green fees is not happening too often. I will always love golf but probably a little less than earlier in life.

[Unteachable]

I have never stopped playing since I started when I was 10 (46 now).  I play less now- 3 or 4 times a month- due to work and just a busy life in general.  

 

I was probably the most miserable when I was taking lessons and playing twice a week and hitting balls at the range 2-3 days a week when I was in my late 20's thru mid 30's.  I thought at times about taking a break but I stuck with it mainly because all of my clothes were golf apparel and I just didn't want to give up. 

 

It took me a long time to realize I was ingraining bad habits with all the range sessions.  I never go to the range now.  I play less.  I score better.  I am pretty consistently in the 70's which is good enough for me based on the time I put in.

 

I have learned just to enjoy the time out there with my friends.

 

My short game is not as good as when I practiced more but my swing and control are so much better.  Way less penalty strokes and big numbers.   If I would practice chipping I would probably knock off a few strokes easily off my score.

 

I have definitely felt like I am losing my passion for playing when it is blazing hot and humid.  I still do it, but if the other guys have something to do and can't play on a hot day it doesn't bother me one bit any more.  I love winter golf so I usually get pretty pumped in the fall and want to play more

[Roody]

On 4/16/2024 at 1:16 AM, rickshaw said:

 

I use to play 5 to 6 days a week. I got down to a 4 handicap. Played a lot of tournaments. I loved it and couldn't get enough. Then I got a job out of town and only play once on the weekends and a couple practices sessions after work during the summer days. It's hard to drive an hour thru traffic after working all day and drag myself to the course. My handicap went up to 11.1. I can't really play during the winter because of time change. I did start to lose interest over the last couple years. It's hard to except that your not as good as you once were. Ive started to except the fact that I might not ever be as good as I once was but I still have fun when I get to go out. This year my spark is definitely back and I'm excited to get back to the grind. I hope you can find your spark again! 

Same! I was a 5.9 index just this past November, and this morning I'm a 10.2. I've been fighting back problems for the last year or two. The back is improving, but I feel like it's still affecting my swing. I make a lot of dumb mistakes and mental errors during my rounds, and it's frustrating. Like you, I feel as though maybe I've hit the point where my game just isn't as good as it used to be. 

 

However, I am not ready to throw in the towel. But I can feel my love for the game maybe going down a notch on the scale. 

[rickshaw]

4 hours ago, Roody said:

Same! I was a 5.9 index just this past November, and this morning I'm a 10.2. I've been fighting back problems for the last year or two. The back is improving, but I feel like it's still affecting my swing. I make a lot of dumb mistakes and mental errors during my rounds, and it's frustrating. Like you, I feel as though maybe I've hit the point where my game just isn't as good as it used to be. 

 

However, I am not ready to throw in the towel. But I can feel my love for the game maybe going down a notch on the scale. 

I feel your pain roody. I hope your back will get better. Sometimes a little time off helps for injuries and the mental aspects. I was damn near about to quit before this summer. My swing has changed a bit and ive been working on the short game and putting. I feel like if you get it dialed in from 100 yards in, you can still have a pretty legit game without have to swing out of your shoes off the tee. You have to let go the past you and focus on the now you. We evolve with the game. Golf is the hardest game I've ever played but also the most rewarding. If golf is your passion, don't give up. Just give it some time and it'll all comeback around full circle. I hope your injuries will subside and your spark will flame up brotha!

 

[bigred90gt]

On 7/21/2024 at 5:29 PM, Kai Slater said:.

 

Summer of 2008, I'm at my usual Myrtle Beach area courses on a golf trip, when suddenly I lost my swing, my touch, and my entire attitude/enjoyment for golf.  It was Lions Paw golf course, when it all fell apart.  I could hit it a mile, but in all the wrong directions.  How about a 285 yard hook into the next fairway?  Or hit a nice drive, then totally air-mail the approach to the green by 30 yards, then chunk two chips trying to get on the green where I 3 putt?  Or, hit a 280 yard power block/ slice into the forest OB?  Add in about 11 of the greens 3-putting and I end the round with a score of 101.  I still remember the score......I did this same thing for an entire week and had a miserable trip. I couldn't figure out why and I was too prideful and maybe "cheap" to seek help.  I'll figure this out on my own.....and I never did.

Something similar happened to me. I played on an amateur tour back in 2010ish. I won the A flight for the season one year and went to the national championship in Hilton Head. I was shooting 73-78 every time I stepped on a course. I was very consistent with scoring and ball striking. I get there excited to play, had a great range session, teed off on 1 and striped it down the fairway, hit it on the green 2 putt for par. Next hole was a par 3, hit it to 2’ and birdied the hole. 3rd hole I proceeded to hit my tee shot into a bush, took a drop, shanked it into the water and ended up with a double. A & b flight had double bogey max score, c & d flight had triple max, championship flight had no max and your score was what it was. I proceeded to shoot 96 on the first day and 88 on the second day, finishing the weekend 5 places out of DAL and 3 of those behind me withdrew before the end, lol. I don’t think I have ever been more pissed off at a tournament and that was an expensive trip to hate the golf. I didn’t give it up after that, but I considered it for sure. 

[JakeK]

Yeah, I can honestly say I have.  I played a lot as a junior and got competitive enough to walk onto the college team in my hometown.  After college I worked ten years as a club pro with upwards of half my rounds were played in tournaments.  When I got out of the business, those first two years of playing for fun... were amazing.  No more babysitting members on the course or playing tournament rounds in terrible weather, just pure fun.  Then came tenosynovitis in my left wrist.  Backswing ok, firey pain at and after impact.  Long story short, I did the treatment and eventually healed without surgery, but didn't swing a club for three years.  When I tried to come back, I was terrible.  I'd play so bad that I didn't want to be on the course.  A few months later I'd try again just to leave frustrated and embarrassed.  The time between rounds got longer and longer.  At some point I'd had enough and didn't touch a club for another two years.  Wouldn't even watch golf on tv or being engaged in a conversation about anything golf related.  

 

What got me back into love with the game?  I'm not entirely sure.  I just got up one morning and caught a tournament on tv.  Then another, then The Masters.  Before long I was swinging a club in the garage or the basement.  I was getting the itch by summer and I've either practice or played every week for the last three months.  I hit balls yesterday in the 95* heat.  It's fun again.  Hopefully this extended break from golf was my mid life crisis - I can't afford to buy a corvette!

[Golfbit2X]

I took a 29 year hiatus as I had to take care of my family but now the kids are grown up, I came back in 2021 and have been playing at least once a week ever since.

 

I've heard of the 3D/4D motion capture that will instantly identify which position is off on your swing so maybe you can think of looking into that to fix your game.

[BENNYSUPREME]

Yes! From 2006 to 2017, almost everything I did, revolved around golf. Well in 2017, I had major shoulder surgery that put me out of commission for over a year. Once I was given the go by my doctors, I tried picking it back up, to only have elbow surgery in 2018.  After that, I was done. 

Fast forward to 2024, I picked it back up. I purchased a new Driver and irons.  After 10 rounds or so, I shot at 75 with 4 missed short birdie putts.  I feel the love of the game growing in me again!

Edited August 9, 2024 by BENNYSUPREME

[nmadde02]

On 4/15/2024 at 3:52 PM, AddInfinitum said:

Nope. However have quit during the round on several occasions.  

This made me LOL

[biker74]

Got fed up with hooking the ball over and over.The last decade was cut from 200 rounds down to maybe 5 rounds a year.Would make up excuses to avoid even picking up a club.Took a few in person lessons a few years back that helped out a bunch.But really got over the hump when I ran into the NTC videos by Monte.For some reason that video series resonated and made sense.Shots were flying true.Scores started dropping.Which made the game fun again.

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

It happened to me again last year, and through the spring. Took about a 2 month reset without real golf.

I've gotten to a spot again where I'm actually happy to go out and practice again, and play a round as often as I can muster given my schedule. Currently am practicing more than I play because that's largely all I have time to do.

I went through a patch of club modifications which led to swing destruction. I only make supported modifications now, and rarely. The irons haven't been changed in months, the new wedges are set, and the Driver/Wood/Hybrid are finalized.

Seems it has helped me zero in on a successful process.

[elwhippy]

Taking a break from comps. Putting far too much pressure on myself. Season has been poor, never beating a nett 70, with many scores in the high nett 70s, but no rise in handicap. Now at the point where playing well equates to a nett 74 and lower half of field. 

[caniac6]

I think I’m in the process of falling out of love with putting.

[ClubDrop]

Been cutting back playing more and more because I'm just so unbelievably bad at golf it's unreal, and a couple of local courses closed leaving the remaining ones crowded and slow. Just kind of tired of it, tired of hitting it 50 yards shorter than everyone else my age and yet still having a huge two-way miss, of constantly thinning, chunking and topping shots (Made much worse by a hitch that flares up and ruins holes and rounds), and of missing what feels like 90% of putts outside of like 2ft on the greens. Still love the game, but at some point I'm thinking I just need to realize I simply don't have the physical coordination to make a proper golf swing and that I'd have to practice as much as a pro just to hope to approach mediocrity.

Most frustrating thing is I'll have the occasional hole or range session where I can actually make good contact and feel like a real golfer for once, only to revert right back to total suck right after.

[CHE KJARRVERA]

I’m a bit ADHD for better or worse and have been playing golf off and on for nearly 40 years. Would’ve been a low handicap player years ago if I stuck with it. In the past each time I became golf obsessed again, however, it would be the same routine - fall in love with the game, build up a set of clubs that felt good, read a few classic instructional books, follow the PGA tours, maybe get a PGA certified lesson or two and find myself practising. I’d start improving, rediscover course management strategy and be breaking 90, but then the time commitment, astringent handicapping rules and drawn out club days would see me lose interest. Part of what drew me away each time is that when I was younger none of my friends played and I’d find myself in foursomes with golf club life-timers. It was always a privilege to be in their company and learn a few finer points of the game but something was missing. Now in my 50’s a number of my oldest mates have taken it up and one of my daughters has even taken an interest so I’m back but it feels different. I don’t even give a toss that my swing and game currently suck!

Edited December 30, 2024 by CHE KJARRVERA

[shoot4par]

Yeah, thanks to some a****** I have permanent nerve damage, lost ten miles off the driver. Basically, my nerves never stop firing and my muscles spasm. A couple years back, it was hell-ish and I was furious; walked off the tenth hole and I never looked back minus one range session in the south last year. (I was in warm weather for a wedding.) I’ll chip and putt on occasion to get fresh air. Never doubt it, one p***k can really alter your existence. 

Edited December 31, 2024 by shoot4par

[hanginnwangin]

On 12/31/2024 at 2:50 PM, shoot4par said:

Yeah, thanks to some a****** I have permanent nerve damage, lost ten miles off the driver. Basically, my nerves never stop firing and my muscles spasm. A couple years back, it was hell-ish and I was furious; walked off the tenth hole and I never looked back minus one range session in the south last year. (I was in warm weather for a wedding.) I’ll chip and putt on occasion to get fresh air. Never doubt it, one p***k can really alter your existence. 

What happened? What a****** caused you nerve damage?

[Shoegolf]

I’ve been there. Went from 100 rds a year and 100’s of clubs to only playing 1-2 rounds a year for the last 4 years.

 

The bug is back and going to join a club again this year and hopefully the joy is back as well. 

[shoot4par]

On 1/3/2025 at 5:44 PM, hanginnwangin said:

What happened?

The concussion that finally broke the camels back, I guess. Neck went a weird way and something went wrong. it’s been interesting. 

Edited January 19 by shoot4par

[Fairways_and_Greens]

Everytime I've walked away for a time, it's after a 5+ hour round. I've joined a private club and most rounds are around 3.5 hours. If it's slower than 4 hour rounds I just walk off and practice.

[Swingem]

Some great stories here, some sad ones too. I've been very into my golf for over 35 years, including golf trips to Scotland/Ireland, Monterey, Hawaii, and 20+ annual trips to Bandon dunes with the same group of guys.

 

Two years ago I started to loose interest in the game. I still loved playing it and, have enough muscle memory to chop out a decent round, but it kind of organically stopped being a priority. I took a day off from our round at Pacific dunes on our trip in 23, to just walk around the resort and see things like the Labyrinth and some of the hiking trails. I thought it might be the last time I make the trip. I didn't go last year because I just wasn't into it.

 

I took a vacation with my wife to New England in September and a friend convinced me to bring my clubs. So I took a traveling set and we played two rounds, and I started to feel the love again. I committed to our BD trip this year, we'll be there Feb 19-24. And I'm completely stoked to be going! It's nice to back into the game, but it was good to take a break.

 

  

[pingadingdong]

I played a whole lot as a kid, up until about 17-18, then kind of abruptly stopped when my dad and uncle stopped playing too.  I played one or two rounds in my 20s with friends, but just didn’t get back into it.  
 

Fast forward to 6 years ago and I just randomly said to myself one day “I want to get back into golf.”  Shortly after that my new in-laws came into my life, and they golf weekly.  Ever since then, I’ve been back on the trail.  After a near 20 year hiatus, getting back in was actually easier than I expected.  Took some lessons and bought modern equipment.  Really glad I did. 

[Hogan9]

I fall out of love every time I shoot in the 90s. However, I'm back the very next day. Golf is like being in love with a beautiful woman (which I have been for over fifty years). You will experience a lot of frustration and heart ache but when it's right, nothing is better.