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After prolonged struggling - why do YOU keep coming back..?

jpgolf

jpgolf

“JP”
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Sure… we all struggle at times with golf, and have our ups and downs… but, after a prolonged struggle - why do YOU keep coming back..?
 
Easy answer is because we love it. But, does the average golfer still love it after a long bout of poor golf..?
 
Because I would be a quitter if I didn’t. I don’t like quitters
 
The average golfer? Yep. See em out there all the time. It’s pretty wild to see so many people who play between a couple times a year or once every few months. Their expectations are also much different as is the reason they play. Good golf isn’t why they’re out there.

For me it’s the grind of constantly wanting better. Me 2 years ago had a different definition of struggles than me today. It’s constantly evolving and changing and that makes it fun for me.
 
jpgolf said:
Sure… we all struggle at times with golf, and have our ups and downs… but, after a prolonged struggle - why do YOU keep coming back..?
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Good question. I have had some long stretches of wretched to mediocre play. I remind myself that I was a decent player in the not to distant past and I have always come back after a slump. So far, there has been a come back so a slump is never permanent.

The only time I thought about quitting was after my brain surgery in 12/2020. The six months that followed were tough and my golf was worse once the season started in March. I was struggling so badly that I thought about giving up golf and getting into fishing.
 
Family and friends.
At my age I know my game is heading downhill. You just accept it and put yet another head cover in the 14 way bag.
 
Real Housewives Drinking GIF
 
I used to ask this same question to myself, specially in the early days of taking Golf serious, the worm burners, the hooks, the slices and the occasional whiff and to be honest the only thing I could come up with was, “I hit several shots a round where I actually felt, looked like and did hit a good golf shot…like I belonged lol… so for me it was the occasionally albeit maybe 7-8 good shots out of 120.

Once I actually started playing better and then now where I feel like I’ve turned those bad/good shots a complete 180 I don’t ask this question anymore though.
 
If I only golfed when it was good, I would rarely golf.
In the bad, in the struggles, there is still something there. It might be a chip-in out of the blue. Could be a drive that you just smoked. A random pured iron.

You keep going because it will get better eventually. Nothing comes easy. Nothing comes without putting in the work. Well except swing speed.... thats a random gift magically graced on some people lol.
 
Aside from the self loathing? The friends I've made and it's probably good for me to get outside. 😆
 
It's the variability of golf that makes it fun. When you're not feeling it is when you unexpectedly shoot your personal best. When you're sure everything is grooved is when you put up a triple-digit number.

All you can do is keep grinding and accept what golf brings your for that day.

Even though it can be frustrating, who doesn't want to keep trying when it involves sunshine, fresh air, (usually) fun people, and some of the most beautiful locations in the world?
 
Simple answer? With golf, the struggle is continuous. The only difference is the changing levels of those struggles. How I handle those struggles is why I never leave the game.
 
I need the challenge and the competitive nature of it.

It is also my mental health break from all things life so that escape is necessary for my well being.
 
jpgolf said:
Sure… we all struggle at times with golf, and have our ups and downs… but, after a prolonged struggle - why do YOU keep coming back..?
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definitely memory loss. I forget how bad I am during the off season!
 
I do it to keep Callaway Golf in business by buying lots of expensive golf balls. :ROFLMAO:

My worst day on the golf course, is still WAY better than any day I can't play golf. Due to an injury, I thought I would never be able to play again. It was depressing. Once, I found a way back, I've never looked back and every day on the course is a great day!

It's a great day to have a great day @bigbov !
 
hadi05 said:
I do it to keep Callaway Golf in business by buying lots of expensive golf balls. :ROFLMAO:

My worst day on the golf course, is still WAY better than any day I can't play golf. Due to an injury, I thought I would never be able to play again. It was depressing. Once, I found a way back, I've never looked back and every day on the course is a great day!

It's a great day to have a great day @bigbov !
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Let's have a Monday buddy! Can't wait until we can play together and you kick my butt!!
 
Both times that I have taken time away from the game. It hasn't been the game I missed but rather the people. I missed the hang, the stories, the bond, the laughter, and the memories. The games brings us together in a way (IMO) very few other things can. The game is fantastic, but what makes it great is the people.
 
bigbov said:
Let's have a Monday buddy! Can't wait until we can play together and you kick my butt!!
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Nah! It'll be the best 18 holes ever. No score will be kept that day, but we will finish 1st in fun!
 
There has to be enjoyment even with really bad golf. If improvement was 100% the only driving force, those of us who know we’ve reached our pinnacle would have walked away years ago.
 
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Many people like a good challenge and golf certainly provides that.

If frustration sets in just say no to the bad mojo, you got this shot.
 
Is this about golf or life? asking for a friend.
 
The challenge, the camaraderie, the intermittent reinforcement
 
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