For me it was something to get the competitive juices flowing when I quit softball. Couldn't commit to the time sink that was my competitive softball life, so now sink my time into playing golf. Only wish I'd gotten into the game years ago.
I enjoy the game for different reasons, based on the group. My usual weekend group is about the whiskey not the golf, so fellowship/friendship. I play in our Ryder Cup event for the competition.
Getting outside, walking the course and doing my best to turn off the week's noise aren't terrible things either.
Because its so much fun. Some days are diamonds, some days are stones. Love the game as never before. Hit a 5 iron on the nose, snick (the sound) a bunker shot to a tap in, flush a drive...... Love it all.
I love everything about it. The difficulty, the ups and downs, the beauty of being outside, meeting new people, talking to caddies, the apparel, the equipment, and especially playing with my family.
It is a mix of things, I think # 1 is the social aspect. It is a reason to get together with my friends every week for 4-5 hours and usually there ends up being more things to laugh about during the round.
#2 is the challenge. I have loved sports all my life and while I was never great at any one of them, golf gives me something to focus those competitve juices on.
I play because it isn't just a one-dimensional activity: social but also a very personal game, mental aspects, physical/mechanics, love being outside, the challenge of improving, competition with others, etc.
I play as much as I can because after a severe Traumatic Brain Injury secondary to a drunk driver, my docotrs will not let me do ANYTHING that could result in another brain injury. That leaves out almost all sports except golf. I am now obsessed with the game.
Also, as a retired doctor, I guess I have to play, right? :clapp::golf3:
I golf because it's my therapy in a way. whether it's a couple of hours practicing or playing a round, It's a time where all the stresses going on around me get pushed to the side and I have time for myself. It's kind of like my reset button.
I also Golf for the social aspect and the friendships it can build. I Golf because I know I'll never master the game, but it's fun trying and talking about it with others who enjoy the game as much as I do.