At what point does golf become an obsession?

[Yosser]

I had to give up football a couple of years ago due to injury and was motified, I couldn't bear the thought of not doing something active and turned to golf. I bought a budget set as I wasn't sure I'd take to it, went to the range to practice and played on the local muni. Practicing on the range made me realise that I needed lessons before I injured myself such were the divots I was taking out of the range mats.

Now some twenty months later, I've a decent set, joined a club, obtained a handicap (albeit cat 4), I play at least once a week, spend hours on the range, hours on the practice area, lessons. I also play on my mates' courses around the North West, I'm about to go on my second golf holiday, I watch it on telly all the time, if its not on then I'm probably watching a You Tube tutorial. My Pro says I'm thinking about some things too much, my dad tells people "well he's given up footie, now its golf, so he won't stop until he's cracked it".

So I'm obviously hooked, but I bump into the same faces at the club, so I musn't be the only one. How long did it take you guys to get "hooked"?

 

[Evesdad]

I think as soon as you start! So frustrating and rewarding at the same time.

 

[Fader]

I think as soon as you start! So frustrating and rewarding at the same time.

Think that's the most accurate answer you'll ever get.

 

[Chris1980]

If i didnt have a job, kids and woman id be at the club everyday! 😃

 

[Yosser]

I think as soon as you start! So frustrating and rewarding at the same time.

Don't you think that when you start it isn't actually enjoyable because you can't hit shots properly and I think that's when many people pack it in. Its only when can hit properly and you've a decent chance of getting to a green that youu can start to enjoy it - or is that just me. ?

 

[TPO77]

Took me and my regular partner just over a year to convince our other friend to get a set of clubs and come join us. He was very, very tentative about not being good etc etc. Took him out on the municipal 9 holer early last week and he's text everyday since wanting to play. As soon as you start and get the bug that's it. The only game in the world where 99 bad shots but one good one can have you coming back for more. It's a game of euphoria and frustration but once you start you just can't stop.

 

[chrisd]

To be fair Yosser you seem barely even keen compared to most of us!

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Ask Homer :whoo:

 

[Five&One]

As soon as you hit your first sweet shot. Just watching that ball sail in a perfect shape or punch forward and you know youve compressed it beautifully or run on to the green in exactly the way you envisaged it when you addressed the ball.

At my level I hit less than 10 wow shots per round, sometimes less than 5, but DANG what a feeling.

 

[Liverbirdie]

For me it was when I'd rather go and play golf, than an away match with the reds (or whichever team you support).

 

[Yosser]

To be fair Yosser you seem barely even keen compared to most of us!

I still work mate, most of the blokes at the club are retired, some quite young I might add - but I'm so jealous of them to have that much time on the course.

 

[Yosser]

For me it was when I'd rather go and play golf, than an away match with the reds (or whichever team you support).

Hardly ever watch footie now, to be fair I pretty much lost interest in watching when I started playing myself at a reasonable standard, used to go all the time when I was a teenager. To be honest I find watching football boring and uninteresting as it seems to be the same old patterns of play and the commentators have little knowledge - I don't learn anything! Golf commentators are so much more knowledgable, I learn so much and I enjoy studying players' swings, putts, short game shots etc. I admire the skills they have, yet when I watch Pro footballers, I'm staggered by the lack of a first touch some have.

 

[Andy808]

My wife is now a bona fide golf widow. I play as much as I can around work, I practice all the time and I'm building a putting green in the back garden "so the kids can practice their short game and putting!"

If it's not on the TV it's on the computer, I follow the scores on the BBC sport site when I can't get a good stream. I watch all the golf junk I can on youtube and I am in the middle of building a ball washer so I don't have to do it by hand.

 

[Yosser]

My wife is now a bona fide golf widow. I play as much as I can around work, I practice all the time and I'm building a putting green in the back garden "so the kids can practice their short game and putting!"

If it's not on the TV it's on the computer, I follow the scores on the BBC sport site when I can't get a good stream. I watch all the golf junk I can on youtube and I am in the middle of building a ball washer so I don't have to do it by hand.

:lol:

Get a grip man!!

 

[garyinderry]

when you reach in to get your ball and you see this ..

 

[HawkeyeMS]

At what point does golf become an obsession?

When you join a Forum and spend all day posting about it

 

[Joff]

For me it was when I'd rather go and play golf, than an away match with the reds (or whichever team you support).

Hodgson?

 

[Fish]

Q/: At what point does golf become an obsession?

A/: When your spending over £100 a week on petrol to courses around the country and the same on green fees, would hate to think what my annual spend is not including my own club membership and competition costs.

 

[Rooter]

A. When all you talk about is golf, you go on days out and picture a few trees chopped down would make a lovely par 5, you keep your clubs cleaner than your car, you write a blog as the people you talk to no longer listen, you give your individual clubs names rather than numbers (my driver is called RAlph after wreck it Ralph), you go to the pub with mates or mrs only to realise you are suitably dressed to go and play 18 holes.

 

[Yosser]

Hodgson?

Ambassador for golf, responsible for thousands turning from football to golf.