Why You Should Take Up Golf
It’s the year 2020, and if you were to take a poll of everybody currently alive, my guess is that the year 2020 would rank in the top 3 worst years of their life. I say this without knowing many peoples’ lives in depth. Watching the news or reading current magazines it's obvious that the current environment is putting everyone into a level of misery that is hard to compare. That being said, I would like to offer up a suggestion on how to turn the year around, so that something useful is gained. That something useful is the sport of golf. I'll give you a few reasons why you should take up the sport, and hopefully the reasons not only persuade you to pick up a golf club, but the sport will make your life better going forward.
It's an Old Game
Golf is a simple game, and it's an old game. You carry around a bag of clubs hitting a little white ball into the hole. Sure, there are rules that need to be followed, but for the average person, it's a simple game. Notice I didn't say it was easy. You do this for 18 holes and then you're done. It's such a simple game that it's been around for hundreds of years. Historians say it dates back to the 11th century. Granted the clubs were more like sticks and the balls were more like little rocks, but the spirit of the game has been around for a long time. When you pick up the game of golf you're carrying on a tradition that has been around for generations. It can make you feel like you're part of the history books. Especially if you manage to hit a hole in one.
It's a Special Game
So, what makes golf so special. It's a perfect blend of sport, exercise, social interaction all while enjoying the great outdoors. It challenges you physically and mentally, and if you're not up to speed on either, the game will defeat you. Golf is a lifetime sport, making it a skill you can develop and hone over your entire lifetime. Sports like basketball, football, and baseball are typically played in your 20's and 30's. But golf is commonly played by kids as well as those playing long into their retirement. It can push you to the brink of tears with anger as well as to the brink of tears with joy. The adrenaline rush of hitting the perfect shot or making a putt when the odds are stacked against you can tunnel into your mind, making you crave another round of golf. And finally, unlike other sports, with golf you are the proactive participant. Meaning you choose to act. In most other sports, you react to a ball bouncing your way, or a ball hurling at you. But with golf, the ball is at rest, and this is what makes it a unique sport.
Golf for Physical Exercise
If you've ever carried a bag of clubs around for 18 holes you know that the physical exertion during a round of golf is no joke. A typical round of golf requires the player to walk between 3 and 6 miles. Obviously, if you're one of the few that can hit the ball straight without zig-zagging down the course, the mileage will be less. If you're starting out, the mileage will likely be closer to 6 miles. A typical golf bag with clubs and such weighs about 30+ pounds. Combine walking 3-6 miles while carrying 30 pounds and you start to get the idea of how you can't be a corn-dog eating couch potato and finish the round without going into cardiac arrest. Granted it's not as exhaustive as running up and down the court in basketball, but hopefully, you get the point.
Golf for Mental Exercise
Golf requires mental toughness. And that's a good thing because so does life. Without a bit of mental grit, life can chew you up and spit you out. Golf can do the same, so it's imperative you play the game without a memory. Golf can be a game of doing what you want to do, vs a game of doing what you should do. Everyone wants to crush the ball far and straight down the middle. They want to hit all their shots right to the hole. But this testosterone-filled level of thinking can get you into trouble. Going for the long shot, when you should be playing it safe, will have you talking to yourself and debating between the ego and the id. Coupled with the fact that when things go bad, you need to have the mental fortitude to forget the previous shot and persevere. On the flip side when things are going perfect, it can provide too much confidence, leaving you will a horrible second shot.
So Why Play Golf
When it's 70 degrees outside, you're with your friends, and the ball just seems to be going in the right direction, nothing can beat that feeling. It can almost be unconscious or without effort. On those days, the ball is flying far, and the putts are falling. It's at times like this when I wish I could bottle up the feel-good endorphins running through my body and save it for a rainy day.
The year is 2020 and it's been a horrible year. But if you can get out on the golf course, get some exercise in, enjoy the great outdoors all while laughing with your friends. It can make life seem pretty darn good! So learn more about golf.