Everything You Really Need to Know About Golf
Golf is not for everyone. I think most people know this. But, I wanted to write about it anyway because some of you might be reading this and thinking, “Hmm… Maybe golf wouldn’t be that bad.” Maybe you’ll come out and play with us on the course in the future. However, there is a lot more to golf than meets the eye (or ear).
I’m sure many of you have heard of Tiger Woods. You may have even watched him play at The Masters last year when he won his fourth green jacket–the first man in history to do so. If not, watch below:
Personally, I don’t like watching golf on TV (unless it’s a major played by Tiger) because it’s hard for me to figure out which ball is which when they are side-by-side from farther away than my eyes can see clearly. In fact, most people watching televised tournaments can’t tell what’s going on either! If you’re one of those people who get confused by televised golf matches, perhaps reading about it will give you more insight into why certain players make certain decisions during tournaments or rounds at your local course (if you decide to join up!). That said. I had a golfing accident last week. I had been to a country club and was playing a round at the driving range. When I first started golfing, I thought it would be fun to hit balls into the lake next to our course. But now that I am better, I know that it is not except on very rare occasions (like when you need some practice with water shots). Ultimately, it’s not worth the risk of losing your ball or hitting somebody in their boat on the water–or even worse: hurting yourself or someone else!
Anyway… So anyway, as I was practicing my drives into Lake Geneva one day last week, my swing was getting a little too strong and my drives were going way over onto another part of our course–where we don’t want them going because there are houses nearby and cars parked along the road. I was the only one at that part of the course, so I didn’t think anyone would mind if I just knocked it off the road into some grass. WRONG! The next thing I knew, my ball went flying over a woman’s fence and onto her deck (where she had two little kids playing). Fortunately no one got hurt, but my ball did a lot of damage to her back door. Apparently we weren’t supposed to be on that part of our course because it was fenced off. So much for golf etiquette…
Anyway… So anyway… Golf is not for everyone because you have to be able to abide by certain rules and regulations in order to play (even though they don’t always make sense). Additionally, there are other things about golf that make it a difficult sport:
1) It takes too long–for most people football games last less than four hours; basketball games take even less time; and hockey games can last closer to three hours if they aren’t going into overtime. But in golf–no matter how good you are or what your handicap is–a round can take up six or more hours! Plus there’s usually 2-4 hour breaks between each hole depending on how long your group takes between shots. It’s like a chess game.
2) It takes too much effort–If you’re not a pro golfer, you have to put a lot of work into your swing to make sure that it is good enough for you to play on the course (which requires even more practice). If your backswing isn’t strong enough, or if you don’t swing the club correctly, then your ball will go flying in another direction. Then there’s the fact that you have to walk around the course with all of your clubs and equipment (including cart/trolley if you are lucky). After a while it feels like it would be easier just to ride around in one spot in an electric golf cart.
3) It costs too much money–We’ve all heard about how expensive golf can be: there is the cost of buying equipment, courses are expensive as well; and then there’s money spent on caddies during rounds as well. Plus there are other hidden fees involved: driving range fees; club-maintenance fees; etc.
It’s been hard for me to write about golf. I don’t know why exactly. Perhaps because I love the sport so much and I don’t want to tell people it’s difficult. But, since we’re in college right now, we all have free time–at least theoretically. So if you want to learn more about golf, go ahead and give it a try! Just be careful with your clubs and make sure they are aimed in the right direction before you hit them (and never aim at anyone or anything that is living!).
Good luck on your next round…
