As the golf season here in Chicago winds down, so does my ability to do probably my favorite thing on this great Earth – play golf. At the end of every season, I don’t necessarily reflect on the scores that I shot, but the enjoyable moments that I had. With that, it gets me thinking on the top reasons that I play this great game, and what keeps me coming back.
As a late 20-something living in Chicago, my life the last few years has been quite the roller coaster. Relationships, job changes, salary fluctuations, moving all over the city, etc. are things that are constantly occurring. Why do I tell you this? Because the number one reason I enjoy playing golf so much is that the golf course has become my happy place. On the course, I can escape from reality, forget the stresses of every day life, and just enjoy the game. A big thing I’m working on is trying to keep the phone away, and just enjoy nature, the course, and the people around me (it’s a work in progress). Anyways, people ask me why I love golf so much, and this is the number one reason why.
This leads me to big reason number two: quality time with friends. This ties directly into the whole “escape/happy place” idea. You get to spend quality time with some of your best buds for a few hours, where everyone can relax and enjoy themselves. It’s also a great way to meet new people that can, in the long run, become some of your best friends, and who knows, you might just start a golf blog with them (example 1A: Bill Bush)! Combining being in my happy place with some of my best friends? That’s a real winner.
The last reason, but that’s completely different than the first two, is the never-ending quest to get better. I’ve always been athletic growing up, and most sports came pretty easily to me. Golf did not. There’s always room for improvement and new ways to shoot better scores. I was awful at golf my first few years playing, and still am not great by any stretch of the imagination. But, the two things above, along with those few (or one) great shot we hit per round, keeps us coming back.
As sappy as this entire post is, I have to admit, golf has really changed my life. Between the friendships I’ve gained, as well as the outlet and release from stress/reality that it gives, I’m forever grateful for what this game has given to me. I’m thankful for every round or range session I get, and I can only hope that I will continue to have the ability to enjoy this great game for the rest of my life.
