Golf—A Good Walk Spoiled

Mark Twain gave that name to the game of golf many years ago.  For those of you who play the game, you probably understand that comment.  So many of us who love this game also are driven crazy by it at times.  But we keep coming back to it.

But what is it about this game that we golf nuts find so irresistible?   Well, it’s many things.  First, one part of it is the challenge to get better.  The game is always a challenge. You have good days and bad days but never seem to master it.  And that is part of the lure.  I’ve heard it said many times that it only takes one really sweet shot in a round to bring us back.  And I agree with that.

Another thing that I really love about the game of golf is the history and the honor that goes with the game.  Many people say that the rules and the strict adherence to them is crazy.  But in what other sport does a competitor call a rules infraction on themselves?  That’s part of the history and culture of the game.  Not snobby or exclusive, as some claim, but it’s more the fact that we are honoring the game and all who played it before us. And we are constantly striving to get better, competing against ourselves and the course.

Then there is just the pure beauty of the course itself.  So many times, I find myself walking a round of golf and not only enjoying the sport itself, but also really immersing myself in the nature around me. And, for a while, the hectic, crazy world out there is left behind.  It doesn’t have to be a fancy country club to be enjoyable either.  I have played on small, out of the courses that were not expensive or fancy, but there was still something wonderful about walking through nature and enjoying the time between shots.  Now I do recommend walking when you play to really enjoy it.

Now, there is an unusual aspect of golf that is another great thing.  No matter how much or how little you have spent on golf clubs and no matter how good or how weak your golf swing is, any golfer can compete head to head with any other golfer.  This is due to the handicap system that the game uses. The handicap system says that I can play against Tiger Woods and actually have a chance to compete.  Well, that may be a little far fetched.  But through the handicap system, golfers of all levels can play together and can enjoy friendly competition while each golfer plays to their individual capabilities. What other sport offers that to you?  None that I know of.

Now I could write about golf forever.  But I won’t, at least not right at this moment.  But I do love this sport and all that it represents.  And these were just a few of the reasons why.