Reasons why Golf is such an Addictive Sport
78There are millons of people addicted to golf.
Being addicted to golf is not just something that has appeared in the modern game. In the 15th Century King James II of Scotland issued an order banning golf. Men were playing golf so much that they were neglecting their archery practice, and a lack of skilled archers was a threat to national security!
The addiction to golf is primarily a psychological one, although there are a number of physical elements that add to the enjoyment of the game.
So what does make golf so addictive? What is the psychology behind golf? What makes a person love it, excel at it, pursue it despite not being all that good at it?
What is an Addiction?
A addiction can be defined as:
"The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something. A habitual or compulsive involvement in an activity."
Ability - Everyone has Some!
Professional golfers make the game look easy. They drive the ball a long way and seem to be able to drop the ball on the green at will. You must remember that they are skilled trained sportsmen and therefore make it look easy.
However, that doesn't mean that your average golfer can't hit shots like a professional. Golf is probably the only game in which the average player can sometimes hit shots as well as a professional. The amateur golfer just cannot hit professional looking shots as frequently as a pro, and will not have the "repertoire" of shots. They may not be able to hit shots that are as good as Tiger Woods' best shots (not all pros can even do that!), but they can certainly hit the occasional shot as well as any professional would hit it.
Now and then, the amateur will "pull one out of the bag" - a shot that "fizzes" of the club and stops perfectly on the green. A shot a pro would have been happy with. When that happens, the amateur feels a "rush", a sense of belief that it can be done.
It only takes one shot like this in a bucket of 100 balls on the range, and that is enough to keep you coming back. You enjoyed that shot so much that you want to do it again. You are prepared to hit another 100 balls just to hit that one good one again. You are addicted. There is no turning back now!
So is it as addictive on the course? You bet it is! Even more so.
It doesn't matter if a golfer has just played the round of her life or has "caved in" and returned a null score. They will come back for more. Play well, and you want to do it again. Play badly and you want to prove that you can do better.
Competition
Golf can be played on your own, or with many of your friends. You can compete against each other, or just try to "beat the course". Golf is a very social game, both during and after your round. The post round clubhouse socializing, along with all the analysis and "banter" is all part of the game - hence the nickname of the clubhouse as the "19th hole"
 | Amazon Price: $8.21 List Price: $17.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $24.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $11.50 List Price: $16.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $9.95 |
Physical Enjoyment
There are many physical benefits to golf. The walk round the course improves your cardiovascular health, and burns quite a few calories without feeling like an exercise session. Carry your clubs and you get even more benefit.
Golf is one of the few sports that can be played competitively (because of its handicap system) well into retirement.
Golf is played on some beautiful courses. Golf courses architects "tame" some environments such as seaside links; woodland etc, that you may never go to if it wasn't for playing golf. Golf courses are constructed all over the world in some fantastic settings.
If you visit and play these courses, you soon find other people who have been and played them too. It becomes a "bonding" experience to be able to discuss and compare how well you played the course.
Around the world, there are millions of people addicted to golf.
Perhaps golf is the most addictive sport!
CommentsLoading...
You've got my number, that's for sure. Been hiding behind trees and watching me, have you?
Well said, Mark. The game used to be the province of the wealthy, but it's amazing how many people play golf today -- and you find more and more ladies on the links. I'm one of those who are addicted to the game. But it remains a puzzle why that occasional "perfect" shot can't be repeated more frequently.
I echo William when I say, well said, Mark.
I see from your excellent hub that golf addiction threatened national security in King James's time, so the addiction has very deep roots. What a great bit of history.
I posed this question, because I had flirted with golf, but never really got seduced by it. Yet, I have friends who have used their golf addiction to enormous advantage by engaging their golf buddies in business networkings that have become very profitable. If only King James's foes had been just as addicted, perhaps those early battles would have been played out on the golf courses of the time.
What I loved most about the little golfing I did was just being out there and walking around on gorgeous grounds. I also liked using my ball grabber to fish around in ponds for spent balls and have fun with the fish too. I can't say that I ever got to the point where I made a shot that *wowed* me. Probably, I just didn't give it enough time.
Thanks for helping me understand why there is an entire cable TV network devoted to golf!
Best regards, S.
Great reasons for loving golf. I'm glad you've brought your passion here to HubPages. Personally, I'm not into anything I'm terrible at... golf being one of them :( But I do like mini-golf! :)
Well said....... was forwarded this link by one of my good friends & I surely vouch for the fact that no better addiction than Golf
I fully agree - and why so? Because it is cold and raining... so can't be outside and playing - if it would be sunny... not time to read things in the web... cause I got to play golf :)))
Very nicely written and explained Mark! I landed up here after reading a comment of yours on Cartpath where you'd also given the link.
Had read something in a probably light hearted vein but on the same subject: You might like it too:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/45
Take care, and regards :)
awesome read
The question that really begs to be asked is what is so special about a sport which was once famously described by Winston Churchill as a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose. Nothing matches the frustration that comes with having a long stick in your hand and all that you manage to do is to send the ball ‘soaring’ through to all of 10 yards. But then, nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing comes close to matching the joy of seeing the ball taking its first long flight in the air, so what if it is miles from the desired destination, the flight is good enough to ensure you keep coming back. In no other sport would you see such myriad emotions, irrespective of your playing ability. In a way, golf mirrors life and those four hours during a round transport you to another world where the child in you peaks out, fearless of what people might think about you. No wonder then, it is such a common sight to see grown men stomping their feet in frustration when that small three-foot putt fails to roll in or that yelp of excitement when from nearly 100 yards away the ball hits the flagstick and falls right into the hole.
I totally agree with the article and the posts people put up. If I was ever mandated to a 3 month golf rehab (if they ever made such a thing) I think I'd rather talk a long walk off a short pier.
ha ha ha. I was putting and had my bag on the green. (some cheap short course). as I was putting and the ball was rolling towards the hole, I hear a ball "thwok" my bag. I look back and see a group of kids and a dad yell sorry, which I acknowledged. The reason he didn't yell fore was to not break my concentration. Now, if you don't get this, then you don't get golf.
Great hub really interesting info that you have provided on golf.
Mark, thank you for your enthusiasm for a sport that taught me I have no patience and very little talent for the game almost immediately. I do love wathcing when Tiger is playing and more so if he is winning, but my favorite thing about golf is that it is a sport of grace and composure, and you can take a nap to it on Sunday afternoons because it is a lovely backdrop and never gets loud and obnoxious.
Thanks for the wonderful post. And also I want to add up that golf is not a game for the faint of heart.
You need to be strong to handle the pressure and control your swings.
"You've got my number, that's for sure. Been hiding behind trees and watching me, have you?"
-----------------------------------------------------------
Thats usually where my ball is, behind trees
Oh yeah! My @ 120 rounds this year are further evidence. I agree with the good round - can't qait to get back, bad round - can't wait to get back comment. So true.
Wow. Greatly written article Mark. Have you ever been to the USA to golf? If so, where?
mickeuan 3 years ago
I couldn't agree more, Mark. Golf is addictive, especially when you hit a perfect drive straight down the middle of the fairway. It is such a nice feeling that you just want to do it again and again.