Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Jim Franklin on August 16, 2007, 09:00:16 AM
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I just wanted to poll our group to understand why you play. I have played with a variety of golfers from this site, some really good, some not as good, and have enjoyed playing with every one of them. Why do we play?
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So I can mash the ball off the sweet spot.
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To forget everything else.
(Oh, and for many other reasons -- but I'm playing this afternoon, so I'm trying to get my mind pre-cleared this morning.)
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exercise, challenge, something new and different every time, being outside, meeting new people. That's all I can think of right now.
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It's not the money. I play for fame and glory. 8)
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Put me down with Pat - when I read the Topic line, first thing I thought of was "for the glory."
My other answer is "why not?"
Seriously Jim, this is a really tough question, at least for me, who's devoted large parts of my focus and energy to this game for 35 years now. I haven't stopped to wonder why for a long long time, if ever. And I fear if I do think about this too much, it's going to depress me. So I am bowing out of this thread.
;)
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A large eastern conglomerate pays me to be their spokesperson.
(just providing something sufficiently tabloidish for Kavanaugh to waste his time researching)
Actually...
The current "Feature Interview" here with Bill Yates is virtually identical to my own story, albeit at a different scruffy nine-holer with a largely dirt, worn to dust teeing ground;
"I clearly remember the first hole I ever played. It was on a hilly 9-hole course near Pittsburgh called Coraopolis Heights Golf Course. The green fees were probably $1.50 and I believe it had rubber mat tees. The first hole played from the top of a hill, down and across a small stream and back up another steep hill to a green perched on top. I don’t recall that the “fairway” was cut any shorter than the rough or that there were any bunkers, but I do remember walking on to a real green for the first time. I could not believe that grass could be grown like that and mowed so close. Standing on that first green, I gazed across to other holes that begged to be played. I was thrilled, mesmerized and hooked forever."
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Jim, I'll take a stab at it...
I play golf because it gives me joy. I read an author many years ago who defined joy as longing. I play golf because I can't wait until I get to tee it up again. I play beacuse I know the next shot can be better than the last one, the next round will be where I go deep. It is the competition with yourself and others, but it is so much more.
I play because it was my Dad's game that he invited me into when I was young. It is a game you play against yourself and the course, but it is a game you play with family and friends. Outside of my family, my best friends are my golfing friends.
I play because of the beauty, civility, history, power and finesse of the game. No other game can rival the field of play in golf. The land, the architect, and the weather create a venue like no other. It is a game for gentlemen and ladies to play as they follow in the long line that came before. The game has a scale that allows one to hit it hard and watch their ball almost disappear into the distance. That same scale demands a surgeon's touch on a downhill hard-breaking three foot putt.
I play golf because I have to. No other pastime delivers like golf. No other sport creates and satisfies the longing inside. I play golf because it gives me joy.
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I play for the feeling I get when a mid range putt falls for a Par. I like the mental struggle of removing the bad thoughts and letting the body do what it has done before.
Only problem is I am not very good at either, but that makes me keep going back.
Oh I like architecture as well.
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I remember one winter in my youth when the guys I played golf with came to me and asked why I don't hang with them during the off season. They said they were just my golf buds. I play for the buds.
note: This moment in my life hurt me as it was the first time someone had pointed out to me that I am a self-centered person who is most interested in myself and how the world evolves around my wants and needs.
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I am a self-centered person who is most interested in myself and how the world evolves around my wants and needs.
You and everyone else. Forgive yourself, John!
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Nice one, Jeff Doerr...very well stated.
In that spirit, after walking a very hilly 36 this past Monday, I had 3 large blisters on my feet and what can be best described in a family forum as "crotch chafing".
I woke up the next morning and went down to the 24 hour shop in the hotel to purchase sewing needles, band-aids, Vaseline, and extra-strengh aspirin so that I could go play 36 again.
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Nice one, Jeff Doerr...very well stated.
Agreed. Excellent.
In that spirit, after walking a very hilly 36 this past Monday, I had 3 large blisters on my feet and what can be best described in a family forum as "crotch chafing".
I woke up the next morning and went down to the 24 hour shop in the hotel to purchase sewing needles, band-aids, Vaseline, and extra-strengh aspirin so that I could go play 36 again.
I think I'm understanding most of this -- but what are those sewing needles for?!? Not the crotch chafing, I hope!
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I think I'm understanding most of this -- but what are those sewing needles for?!? Not the crotch chafing, I hope!
Dan,
Much like the practices of the more serious Opus Dei practitioners, some things must be done on faith alone. ;D
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Dan - popping the blisters.
Been there, done that, sadly.
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One thing that I love about playing golf is that it gives me a chance at the end of a day to do nothing but think about me. I always enjoy going through a round trying to decide my best shot of the day until I fall fast asleep.
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- Because I want a hole in one.
- Because I am ok at golf and can therefore enjoy it once in a while
- To have something to yell at (golf God's, perhaps)
- To have an excuse to get out of the house
- Because there's nothing better to do during the day (note..during the day)
- To excersice
- Because I like to travel and see new places
- Cart girls
- Because closest to the pin and long drive competitions are possibly the best compeitions on earth, especially when playing for lunch
- Because I like to suffer (?)
- To get more exercise (again, but this is important)
- Because at night...wait, no, late evening, cart racing is the best thing to do ever
- Because its fun
- Oh, and because I like golf clothes
;D 8)
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Dan, I hate to burst your bubble, butt... ::)
I play golf because I'm too chicken to get my thrills as a mercenary commando, dropping into hot spots around the globe, dispatching tyrants with extreem prejudice...
I grew up living next to a modest Bendelow 9 holer. From the very first memories I have, that golf course first tee and club house was a wedge from our back yard property line. That course was our constant playground, not for golf when we were small, but for shagging found balls near the OB a little sooner than they were actually declared lost, and reselling them, playing in the woods, and generally just scampering around all day long. We would sometimes take a single old iron or wood or putter out and just knock it around before dark, or in spring before opening or fall after close. We played touch football and smear on the FWs in non golf season along with a place to shoot our bow and arrows and bb guns. But we were always somehow in contact with the property. I guess I developed an affinity for the grounds and finally pre teen played my first actual rounds of golf.
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Dan - popping the blisters.
Been there, done that, sadly.
I started the day when I made the hole in one at Stevinson Ranch (in what used to be known as "The Kings Putter") by doing 6 a.m. minor foot surgery on the bottom of the big toe on my right foot where the callous had separated from the toe after 36 holes of soggy walking the day before. :-[
I play golf because it's a lot more fun than absolutely anything else I do with my clothes on! 8)
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Because it feels better than hitting myself over the head with a hammer, but not by much...
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I ask myself that every damn time I go out there. ;) ;D
Plain and simple. To have fun and enjoy the company of those I like to play with and hopefully meet new friends. Sure it gets frustrating that you can't play the way you know you can sometimes, but to quote Peter Jacobsen, I'm not good enough to get mad out there.
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I've got way the hell more important things to do.
Such as?
(Of course, we're all addicted. And if you ask me, it's a wonderful addiction. Some part of me is already mourning its loss, when age will say: "Enough, man. Enough already!" And even then, I hope, I'll spend some happy old hours chipping and putting the day away.)
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Because playing at a great golf course gives me a thrill.
I fully subscribe to Dr. Mackenzie's theory, as well, that pleasurable excitement is beneficial to your health.
Golf is a great game. It sees no color, gender nor age. There is no one way to play, to putt or to swing other than whichever way works best for you. In this regard, Captain Thomas was right on the money when he wrote,
"Golf is a game of balance. The man who knows the value of each of his clubs, and who can work out when it is proper to play one and when to play another, succeeds at the game. The ability of a golfer to know his power and accuracy, and to play for what he can accomplish, is a thing which makes his game as perfect as can be; while a thinker who gauges the true value of his shots, and is able to play the shot well, nearly always defeats an opponent who neglects to consider and properly discount his shortcomings."
You don't have to run fast or jump high to play golf well.
It teaches honor, patience and perseverance. Somedays, when everything clicks into place.....you are killing the ball, dropping putts and the sun shines over the links in just the right way, you'd have to be a fool to not think something "greater" is going on in this world than what our feebile little humanoid brains can comprehend.
Playing golf is about as close as I come to having a conversation with God.
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Don't change a word, Michael.
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You don't have to run fast or jump high to play golf well.
That is no longer true. If you are going to compete at a decent level you need to be reasonably athletic.
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Because playing at a great golf course gives me a thrill.
I fully subscribe to Dr. Mackenzie's theory, as well, that pleasurable excitement is beneficial to your health.
Golf is a great game. It sees no color, gender nor age. There is no one way to play, to putt or to swing other than whichever way works best for you. In this regard, Captain Thomas was right on the money when he wrote,
"Golf is a game of balance. The man who knows the value of each of his clubs, and who can work out when it is proper to play one and when to play another, succeeds at the game. The ability of a golfer to know his power and accuracy, and to play for what he can accomplish, is a thing which makes his game as perfect as can be; while a thinker who gauges the true value of his shots, and is able to play the shot well, nearly always defeats an opponent who neglects to consider and properly discount his shortcomings."
You don't have to run fast or jump high to play golf well.
It teaches honor, patience and perseverance. Somedays, when everything clicks into place.....you are killing the ball, dropping putts and the sun shines over the links in just the right way, you'd have to be a fool to not think something "greater" is going on in this world than what our feebile little humanoid brains can comprehend.
Playing golf is about as close as I come to having a conversation with God.
Beautiful. :)
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One thing that I love about playing golf is that it gives me a chance at the end of a day to do nothing but think about me. I always enjoy going through a round trying to decide my best shot of the day until I fall fast asleep.
JB -
This is too funny. I fall asleep EVERY night reviewing the latest or most recent round in my head. Like you, trying to figure out the best shot or how to play a hole better.
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Jim, I'll take a stab at it...
I play golf because it gives me joy. I read an author many years ago who defined joy as longing. I play golf because I can't wait until I get to tee it up again. I play beacuse I know the next shot can be better than the last one, the next round will be where I go deep. It is the competition with yourself and others, but it is so much more.
I play because it was my Dad's game that he invited me into when I was young. It is a game you play against yourself and the course, but it is a game you play with family and friends. Outside of my family, my best friends are my golfing friends.
I play because of the beauty, civility, history, power and finesse of the game. No other game can rival the field of play in golf. The land, the architect, and the weather create a venue like no other. It is a game for gentlemen and ladies to play as they follow in the long line that came before. The game has a scale that allows one to hit it hard and watch their ball almost disappear into the distance. That same scale demands a surgeon's touch on a downhill hard-breaking three foot putt.
I play golf because I have to. No other pastime delivers like golf. No other sport creates and satisfies the longing inside. I play golf because it gives me joy.
Well said.
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My parents divorced when I was very young.
I spent sundays with my father.
We played golf.
Those times I spent with my father are the conduit for why golf was enjoyable for me as I got older - positive memories. During which I was an average player and the suffering was normal to me - read Jordan's 10th reason.
I now play for all the good reasons listed above also - especially John's ego reason.
side bar-
I do enjoy replaying a round putting myself to sleep - it is quite calming.
Jim & John - Would you guys like to put yourselves to rest - deathbed - thinking of a great golf shot - it will probably be quite calming.
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Because I might get better, and at 55 there aren't many things for which that is true.
Because I might win.
Because I can't sit still.
Because of the buddy time.
Because I would rather be outdoors than in.
Because I can't play other sports anymore.
Because it endlessly occupies my mind.
Because I feel better when it is over than I would otherwise.
And just because I love it.
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You hit one shot so pure, you know you can get better and it keeps bringing you back.
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to just get out on the course
to be on a great course late in the evening with no one else around
to be at total peace with the world
to outwit and best my better-skilled opponent
to play a bending iron below one tree, around another, and over the last one to 10 feet and then getting down and in
to play a runner that takes a hop right, corrals left, then changes direction 3 more times while disappearing twice and eventually left dead within the grip
to think three shots ahead
to learn new strategies and know the learning will never cease
to bond with fellow good men
to be inspired by the sweeps, edges, and texture of a bunker
to bounce the ball onto the surface
to create stances, trying as many as possible until deciding playing backwards through the legs is the only option, and then pulling off the shot and draining the putt
to lay up on a 150 yard par 3 and then win the hole
to be thrilled, inspired, agonized, elated, and satisfied all in the same day
to experience great lands and settings while doing all of the above
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Thanks to all that have replied. I have often thought about why I play this game and there are a variety of reasons. The social aspect is huge for me, but I also love the solitude of a late round and being alone with my thoughts.
I love the integrity of the game and its rich history. The fact that honor means something in this game is important. I want to teach my children about honor and respect and the great traditions this game has.
I also love the fact that the venue changes from day to day and from course to course. Playing on the same grounds as Old Tom Morris, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods is pretty awe inspiring.
And as Jeff mentioned earlier, all of my friends now are nearly all my golfing buddies. I have some pretty good friends around this wonderful country and globe that I have made through this terrific game of golf. I can't wait for my next round.
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It's fun.
Nicely said, Mike Dugger.
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This reminds me of a study I read an article about recently where they studied all of the different reasons people had sex. In that study, they were surprised by the results, and hoped to you some of the findings due further treatment for different kinds of sexual dysfunction.
Maybe someone should do a similar study for golf...the results could help the industry better serve its customers or help people treat their golf addiction (assuming it needs treating!)
I play golf because it is the greatest game of all...seeming simple yet maddeningly complex, impossible to master - you'll never be good enough. Unlike other sports that I used to be pretty good at - baseball and basketball, I still feel like my golf game will continue to get better. I couldn't stop playing even if you paid me $1 million to quit.
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See the closing paragraphs of CBM's Scotland's Gift for one of the best answers to Jim's question.
(Citation courtesy of Patrick Mucci).
Ken
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One thing that I love about playing golf is that it gives me a chance at the end of a day to do nothing but think about me. I always enjoy going through a round trying to decide my best shot of the day until I fall fast asleep.
JB -
This is too funny. I fall asleep EVERY night reviewing the latest or most recent round in my head. Like you, trying to figure out the best shot or how to play a hole better.
It's always amazing to learn that others out there do the same quirky things as you. I don't necessarily try to figure out the best shot, but sleep frequently comes for me as I'm going through a recent round shot-by-shot trying to figure out which part of my game was preventing me from scoring better.
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You don't have to run fast or jump high to play golf well.
That is no longer true. If you are going to compete at a decent level you need to be reasonably athletic.
Yup, I'll bet John Daly can kick my ass in the high jump and 100 meter dash. NOT! Well, maybe if there's a case of beer, dozen donuts and pack of smokes at the finish line he might be quick enough to force me to break a sweat! ;)
As for why I play golf, because it is at its essence such a simple game, but in reality is so challenging that no one has ever or will ever master it.
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- Because at night...wait, no, late evening, cart racing is the best thing to do ever
;D 8)
I haven't done this in a long time, but when I first started playing golf I worked at a resort course and had so much fun racing carts. No one ever got seriously injured, and that was a miracle. Thanks for reminding me of that stuff, Jordan.
I started out playing golf because it was the best way I could find to spend time with my good friends. Along the way, I also discovered how much I can enjoy my own company. I absolutely love heading out just an hour or two before dark, playing a couple of balls, and trying to get better.