Reasons To Play Golf

 

Reasons to Play Golf

 

 

 

Recently I saw a comment on a book and book reviews, if you asked 10 people about a book and they all gave the same synopsis of it, the book really could just have been an article. If all the synopses are different than the book is multi layered and faceted and worth a read. 

 

Now consider golf, there are multiple reasons to play but if you are only focused on one, you will get frustrated quickly and easily. For example if your only goal is to shoot the lowest score possible, you will struggle to find joy and fun in the game. If the key to enjoyment is low scores, than the best players in the world should be the ones having the most fun. Are they?

 

What are the reasons to play golf? 

 

- [ ] Health

- [ ] Nature

- [ ] Camaraderie

- [ ] Solitude

- [ ] Meditation

- [ ] Competition

- [ ] Problem Solving

- [ ] Creativity

- [ ] Self Expression

- [ ] Golf is for life

- [ ] Anyone can play

- [ ] Enjoyed at any level

- [ ] Variety of the game and course

- [ ] Low chance of serious injury

- [ ] Opportunities to travel 

 

The are four chemicals in the body that effect happiness. 

 

- [ ] Dopamine

- [ ] Serotonin

- [ ] Endorphins

- [ ] Oxytocin 

 

Four ways to make more of these chemicals are

 

- [ ] Daily exercise

- [ ] Natural sunlight

- [ ] Good nutrition

- [ ] Positive Human Interaction 

 

Can you think of an easy way to get those four ways? Golf provides them. Golf has the potential to have a big effect on your happiness. 

 

It’s very much in vogue at the moment to chase the latest hack to improve and increase your life. However, rather than chase the latest shiny object, there are some basics fundamentals that should be followed regularly to maintain a great life. 

 

- [ ] Lasting Relationships

- [ ] Regular Moderate Exercise

- [ ] Have a Childlike Wonder

- [ ] Connect with Nature

- [ ] Manageable Challenges

- [ ] Spend Time Alone

- [ ] Purpose Greater than Yourself

 

Again, we can see how golf can easily provide all of the above. 

 

Where do you find the joy and fun in golf? If you are struggling with the score on a day, remember all the great reasons to play and fall back into them. 

The Card and Pencil Spirit

The Card and Pencil Spirit

 

Golf ultimately is about the score. The object of the game is to get the ball in the hole in the least number of strokes. But is focusing on the score alone good for your game?

 

 

 

Some clubs run a competition every day, Monday is seniors, Tuesday ladies, Wednesday, fourball, Thursday Lady seniors, Friday singles, Saturday fourball, Sunday singles. You could be marking a card every time you play.

 

What can this do to the nature of how the game is played? It promotes score over everything else, the success of your day out is determined by your final score, anything that gets in the way of a score is seen to be detrimental, golf becomes only an 18 hole game.

 

But golf is much more then this.

 

Golf is the strike of a ball, the roll of a putt, the challenge, the sights, sounds, smells, the memories of late evening and early morning rounds, the camaraderie, the solitude of hitting balls, the excitement of watching great players, the smile when a golfer hits their best shot, the traditions, history and the intricacies of great golf course designs.

 

Everyone needs in their life a place where time disappears, where it's the only place in the world where they'd want to be. Imagine a place with firm links turf, a gentle breeze and the warmth of a Summer's evening sun. Imagine a pure strike, the arc of a golf ball flying into the azure sky, the anticipation of the ball landing on the green and rolling towards the hole. A place where memories are created, stories are told and friendships forged.

 

Golf gives us this.

 

The scorecard and pencil mentality means no going out just to play 4,6 or 11 holes. It means no experimentation with shots on the course. Poor lies and quirky golf course features are impediments to good scores and not situations to test and exhibit your skills. Good shots are forgotten when a bad score is posted. Courses are judged on whether the player had a good score or not. Foursomes and other formats are frowned upon as the player doesn't record an individual score. Getting and maintaining a handicap becomes paramount. Holes are seen as too easy or too difficult and not just holes. Courses must be toughened to test the player. Fairness on the course is foremost in player's minds.

 

Yes, there are times when a score is important but the scorecard and pencil mentality should be eschewed. Play for the sake of playing. Play to hit good shots. Ignore the bad shots. Smell the roses. Create memories and stories to tell.