How Serious do you take the game

[Matty]

I usually have an idea of what I want from a round, whether that be a gross score in mind at the end or to work on a particular aspect of my game on the day irrespective of the score. That said I try not to get too disheartened if things are not going well, this is not my job, my income does not depend on hitting the ball well (and never will) and it's supposed to be a hobby.

So, I try to play with a smile and don't get annoyed when reality does not get close to the shot of my imagination!

 

[GreiginFife]

I take it as seriously as my job...



(not very that is...)

 

[pokerjoke]

I personally take it serious enough that I want to practice to get better.
Also being around sport all my life I want to play to win.
However I don't have a GPS or DMD,nor do I have lessons with a pro,so
I suppose I could take it a little more seriously if I wanted to.
Even though I hate losing or playing bad im not stupid enough to realise that happens.
Overall the most important thing is enjoyment,banter,being with friends or family,or
so it should be.
Everyone has different agendas,so as far as im concerned take it as serious as you want to.
We was only talking yesterday at the club about 3 people we know that have had to give up
recently due to bad health,so be thankfull we can play.

 

[richart]

I'm competitive, but that doesn't mean I take the game of golf very seriously. I do none of the things Robobum lists as taking the game seriously. I always try to play as well as possible when out on the course, but that is it for me. I doubt if there many golfers that enjoy playing more than me though, and I have never come on here moaning about the game, unless tongue in cheek.

 

[SimonC]

I take it fairly seriously when I'm in a competition but I still like to have a laugh with my playing partners. I very rarely practice especially the short game which has suffered as I just can't be bothered to stand around chipping & pitching, I'd much rather go for 9 holes.

 

[Snelly]

I think anyone who signs up to a golf forum must take the game seriously to a certain extent, anyone here who says they have no competitiveness at all should check and see if they still have a pulse. Golf is a game and a sport, who plays games/sports to lose?

Some interesting points there Brendy but I don't fully agree with them all.

The main quibble is that you call golf a sport and I can't subscribe to that. We play the game of golf. A game of skill. Absolutely not a sport!

 

[AmandaJR]

I take it (too??) seriously and am always striving to improve. Not against others in a competitive sense though - just me versus the course or myself or my handicap. I try really hard not to let that affect my mood or persona on the course when playing with others though (on my own I am a nightmare)! The best compliment I can be paid is how relaxed and enjoyable a round of golf is with me and that's something I do get told so my mask of serenity is working!!

It's hard to change who I am though as I never really embark on something without a full on commitment and for the past few years that's been golf. Prior to that it was marathon and ultra running but golf is way more fun...

 

[brendy]

You may write to the Olympic committee before it is too late Snelly

Some interesting points there Brendy but I don't fully agree with them all.

The main quibble is that you call golf a sport and I can't subscribe to that. We play the game of golf. A game of skill. Absolutely not a sport!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I am determined to win in all competitive matches (as opposed to friendly roll-up type matches/comps) I play in. That said losing or playing poorly is not the end of the world. During a match I will however sometimes limit or indeed completely cut out non-golf chit-chat and banter. I'll maybe chat about the match as it unfolds and will never ignore my PP or FC if he initiates a conversation - but I won't drag it out.

That all maybe sounds a bit miserable I guess - but I play plenty of friendly golf and time in the clubhouse and so folks know that I am a pretty chatty and gregarious guy. It is just that at the moment and for maybe another few years I am really focussing on getting my handicap down to SFs and on winning a board competition. Both are important to me - the former because I have been single figures in the past and I am determined to show to myself that I can still a half decent game. Besides - I have to concentrate in comps as I don't practice (so as I said - though important to me - playing poorly and losing is not the end of the world and winning isn't everything)

My determination to win a board comp? - ANY board comp? Well as will have been gathered I am a bit (just a bit ) of a traditionalist and I am very grateful to be able to be a member of an excellent traditional members club. Maybe sounds a bit sad - but I would be very proud to see my name on a board - for posterity and all that - nothing to do with blagging about it. And because of that I do take competitions pretty seriously. But not friendly golf - I go out to enjoy the time with friends.

 

[SocketRocket]

Come on now! Golfs not everything!!

It's much more than that

 

[Snelly]

You may write to the Olympic committee before it is too late Snelly

Good point. But isn't it called the Olympic "Games"??!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Compared to the majority on here I don't take golf very seriously at all. But then I judge taking it seriously a bit differently to a lot of the answers given.

Every shot get's full attention and I am yet to play with anyone or see anyone who doesn't try to hit a good shot, so must be taking that part seriously. So if you take the shots seriously, by default you are trying to do your best and win (in my mind)

Taking it seriously, for me, would mean:

Taking lessons
Reading instruction
Learning/ understanding technicalities of the swing
Knowing about equipment technology and what benefits it has
Having mind coaching or using mind coaching

That list is by no means exhaustive.

And on the basis of the above list I most certainly do not take playing golf AT ALL seriously - I don't even practice

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Good point. But isn't it called the Olympic "Games"??!

I think he's got you there Brendy

 

[Robobum]

And on the basis of the above list I most certainly do not take playing golf AT ALL seriously - I don't even practice

You have been eyeing up a laser for Christmas though haven't you!!!!

 

[chrisd]

and I have never come on here moaning about the game,



.

Mmmmmmmmmmm ........ I can see that changing pretty soon!

 

[richart]

Mmmmmmmmmmm ........ I can see that changing pretty soon!

Moaning about my partners is completely different.:ears:

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

You have been eyeing up a laser for Christmas though haven't you!!!!

The only laser my eyes will ever encounter will be fixing them. Though there is no such word as NEVER in this - what word can I use that is an infinitesimally small distance from NEVER.

 

[brendy]

I think he's got you there Brendy

Good point. But isn't it called the Olympic "Games"??!

The modern Olympic Games (French: Jeux olympiques[1]) are the leading international sporting event featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions.




So in a nutshell, if you are competitive, you compete in the sport, if you are not, you play a game.

 

[CMAC]

could be worse, could be the hunger games

 

[SGC001]

It's social for me, overtime my last injury is improving a little (plus I've had chance to adapt to the different way I have to move), though it'll never get anywhere near where it was. It's not that much fun playing below the level you used to play at or want to play at.

However, if it allows my body to make more of the moves I like then I'll take more of an interest and may even practice or start having lessons again.