Why do you play golf?

Addictedtogolf

I often wonder why I play this game, Usually the answer is to try and win but sometimes its just to get out and get a bit of exercise.

Thinking about this it should be to challenge myself...!!!


Why do you play?

tmc86

I love the challenge of it, each shot is different and there's so much skill involved.

That and nothing like spending a couple of hours walking round a nice course having the banter with your lads (*followed by post-game analysis pints)

Mr. Larson

Definitely to challenge myself. I've always wanted to know just how good I could be at the game. Mucking around a bit with casual golf in my late teens I always felt like I could be good at it [even though I wasn't very good] so once I joined a club in my early 30's I went hell for leather at it & dropped 11 shots. Now that I don't have the time to play every weekend or practice (ever) my long term challenge will to try and stay at the 9/10/11 handicap range because I don't have enough ability to maintain a 6-8 handicap without putting the time in. That's the beauty of the game, no matter how much you play or what your ability there is always a challenge there for you.

I have no interest in winning really and am just as happy playing with strangers. I do like and need the exercise though

newport2

Because I love it

ssbob

I am addicted to the challenge of getting better......don't care about winning, just care about improving my handicap.

John Divney

I don't really care about winning either, just enjoy seeing myself get better at something

Golf is one of the few games where the improvement can be so rewarding, and so visible. If I see a few ducks, hares, rabbits, Fox's on the way, that's not a bad way to spend a few hours.

When you are regressing though, then you tell yourself it's about the air, the scenery, and the ducks etc.

FixdePitchmark

The great thing about golf for me, is that it is all of above.

At different times in my life golf has served a different purpose.

I play mostly alone and in that time, it is for relaxing.

sydneybound

ssbob wrote: »

I am addicted to the challenge of getting better......don't care about winning, just care about improving my handicap.

+1

For me its all about my handicap, playing to it and trying to better it. Especially on different courses.

Rikand

poll needs to be multiple choice

GreeBo

because I'm searching for "it".

PARlance

Rickylovesuall wrote: »

poll needs to be multiple choice

Yip, I'd pick everything bar "To win only"
And I'm wouldn't mind the odd win either.

If it's number 1 reason we're looking at, then it's for the challenge and voted that way.

DuckSlice

I could have answered with each option nearly.

But mainly for me it's the challenge of getting better, getting the handicap down to as low as I possibly can for my ability.

Addictedtogolf

Rickylovesuall wrote: »

poll needs to be multiple choice

The reason I gave only one vote is that we could all tick all the boxes...!!!

ssbob

Another thing that crossed my mind lately about golf is that it is one sport that you can remain competitive due to handicap right into your later years.

Unfortunately had to retire from rugby last year(for now) and really feel that golf has filled the void left by that for challenging myself to get better!

80s Child

Played golf yesterday for the second time this year. I played regularly about 5 years ago and I was down to 11.5 but then I started playing gaa again and I'm involved with training teams and the local club so time is just non existent.

After playing yesterday with a few of the boys, jesus I missed it! The craic was 90 but standing out on the 15th in Westport yesterday and ripping the drive and just standing there.. man it was bliss.. shot 11 over (off da yellows, open day) and it really whetted my appetite again for it!
I'm waffling, but I think it's that moment when you nail it and you either watch it bound down the fairway or you're tracking it onto the pin; for those few seconds nothing else matters and it's that moment you remember afterwards, not the one you blocked into the water a few holes before, and that is why, I think ill always play..

Benicetomonty

I've spent too much money on clubs and ridiculous trousers that can't be worn elsewhere to quit.

sydneybound

80s Child wrote: »

Played golf yesterday for the second time this year. I played regularly about 5 years ago and I was down to 11.5 but then I started playing gaa again and I'm involved with training teams and the local club so time is just non existent.

After playing yesterday with a few of the boys, jesus I missed it! The craic was 90 but standing out on the 15th in Westport yesterday and ripping the drive and just standing there.. man it was bliss.. shot 11 over (off da yellows, open day) and it really whetted my appetite again for it!
I'm waffling, but I think it's that moment when you nail it and you either watch it bound down the fairway or you're tracking it onto the pin; for those few seconds nothing else matters and it's that moment you remember afterwards, not the one you blocked into the water a few holes before, and that is why, I think ill always play..

Dont think you waffled at all there. Here is a good example on how you get hooked on the game and your interest grows from there. Hopefully you become a member of somewhere next year and play more often as a result. Taking tee shots on holes like the 15th at Westport are the best/anxious moments in the game, up there with a 3 foot downhill putt for par on the last to make the buffer, lovely!

Dealerz

Because its more addictive than heroine..allegedly. I'm always chasing that next rush after you have hit/chip/putt the best shot you could have.

But mainly because I want to get better each time I play

bigtimecharlie

Agree with all your options, No1 is the challenge of the game.

Last years lessons are paying off and I want to see how low I can get to.

learningtime

Because you can do all of the above with your friends too. Golf is a wonderful 'social glue' that helps maintain many life long relationships. Team golf is best feeling in golf.

TheDoc

I guess main reasons for me are to challenge myself, see myself getting better and more proficient, and also the social element.

I've made amazing friends in my golf club, and I've played some sports at the highest level at youth level, nothing comes CLOSE to golf in terms of complexity and difficulty. Probably what keeps bringing me back.

TheDoc

ssbob wrote: »

Another thing that crossed my mind lately about golf is that it is one sport that you can remain competitive due to handicap right into your later years.

Unfortunately had to retire from rugby last year(for now) and really feel that golf has filled the void left by that for challenging myself to get better!

It's a game for life, I played golf alongside football as a young fella and it always played second fiddle. Now it's the main sport and nothing makes me miss golf