The thrill has gone!

[birdieman]

Help, what's happening to me. Since about a month ago I have lost all interest in golf (playing not watching).
I have been spending my spare time recently trout fishing and have no desire at all to hit a golf ball.
Stems back to July when my putting went to pot and then particularly the 2nd Aug when I played the worst I can ever remember competitively and just thought "what am I doing, what a waste of time, I am not enjoying this anymore".
Wondering if it is a final realisation that I can get no better at golf and am in fact getting worse. There is no de-motivator like getting worse at something. Same thing happened when I was 21, I just lost interest in golf completely and didn't re-start again until I was 33.
Going on holiday in October to Gwynnedd and I have no desire to take the clubs, just my fishing gear and my surfboard.
Anyone else been through one of these crises?
I always lose interest in golf by September but this year it was July - not a good sign. Doing my best to turn down doubles invites etc as I just don't want to play.
I'm actually very happy about no golf at the moment, enjoying doing other things.
Had a game at Nairn last week through work and played pretty well but I was more interested in enjoying the walk, the sun and the great views over the Moray Firth than hitting the ball.
What should I do to start enjoying the game again or should I just let this golfing malaise run it's course?

 

[USER1999]

I don't think you can force this, so just give it a rest and let it work itself out. I have a mate who is going through this, and he is miserable to play with. I wish he would just stop until he really feels the need to play.

Oddly, golf isn't everything.

Don't get the fishing though, never understood the attraction of outwitting fish.

 

[TonyN]

Leave it, dont play if your not enjoying it!

If you miss it, pick the clubs up, if not keep fishing. Life's sole aim is to be happy. Don't waste time on things that dont make you happy.

I love fishing, it is such a great past-time. but i only ever do it in Greece when mrs is burning on a deck chair!

My B.I.L is getting this way, he's only 18 and when he has a couple of bad holes he looses the plot, storms about and ruins the game for everyone. He plays off 15 but thinks he is a scratch golfer. Expects to par everything at worst.

Last month me him and his dad were playing a 3ball and by the 4th he had spat his dummy out, so much so his dad told him to go ahead and play by him self. FIL duffed his drive on next hole and warned me that the episode in the car on the way home was going to be less than friendly, and it was.

Play when you want to, not when you don't! Its always there for you!

 

[SimonC]

You're not alone I gave up the game for a year and a half but got back into it last summer. I had no desire to play until one evening I went for a few holes and promptly got the golfing bug back. It's actually done my game wonders, I no longer get annoyed if I play badly and my handicap has came down 2 shots.

 

[forefortheday]

Depends upon why you play Birdieman.

I used to get really frustrated then I realised one day that it really isn't life or death and the world still turns regardless of how poor I play.

Since then I've accepted I'll probably always be rubbish at golf so I play with little or no expectation of results.

Company, fresh air and a bit of banter are the most important things about the game for me not how many it took.

Found I enjoy it far more this way than setting myself targets that I may or may not achieve.

Put the clubs away until you hear them talking to you from behind the cupboard door

 

[Cernunnos]

Sometimes a bit of a break is good, especially when you also have other interests, though if there is something within your golf that needs addressing then really it ought to be sorted out, though time away can be enough.

 

[birdieman]

Don't get the fishing though, never understood the attraction of outwitting fish.

Bit pointless I suppose like golf. I think it's a combo of outdoor environment and application of skills and a good dose of luck required with fishing. Peace and quiet is good too.

When you land an accurate cast (fly fishing) over a rise you've just seen and you watch that fly floating on the water, it is an exciting feeling waiting for that take. Playing a fish, no matter how big, is great fun.
You can also eat what you catch!

I couldn't do that coarse fishing on a canal type thing. Sea fishing is best but I'm a long way from the sea alas.

 

[Cernunnos]

Love beachcasting...

Recently bought a fly rod, though not had the chance to try it yet.

Playing guitar, bass & mandolin is my other vice appart from golf, so picking up an instrument when away from the game is good for a change or when I'm feeling frustrated.

 

[medwayjon]

I used to a rabid sea-angler but since golf I have wet a line just once.

Sorry to hear you have fallen out of love with golf, no point forcing yourself into it if your heart isn't in it. That will only make you miserable.

Have a break, if you are pulled back to the golf course then fair enough but if not, c'est la vie and onwards and upwards with the fishing.

 

[HTL]

Take a break mate, we all play golf for fun so there is no point forcing yourself to do something your not enjoying, im sure your golfing mojo will come back when its ready. Just enjoy the fishing and the rugby / football season is starting back up soon so that will distract you.

 

[OldWindy]

Where abouts in Gwynedd? Aberdovey awaits if you want to revive your game!

 

[birdieman]

Llanbedrog near Abersoch. That must be about 2 hours from Aberdovey?
Might take you up on that offer if my golfing appetite returns soon, ta.

 

[Parmo]

I'll give you £40 for your Mizuno Hi-fli CLK ooo sorry to hear about your lost love, I am sure a break and rest will get you back in the game.

 

[TWM]

I have been having some horrendous rounds lately and have avoided playing when it has rained. However I decided to have a course of lessons to see if I can improve. Third lesson yesterday and I could not do a thing right. Today on the range some of the things the pro had tried to put over returned to me and I had a good session. So I am looking forward to Thursday's rollup and Friday's lesson. Maybe the thrill has returned for me.

 

[OldWindy]

Llanbedrog near Abersoch. That must be about 2 hours from Aberdovey?
Might take you up on that offer if my golfing appetite returns soon, ta.

PM me if you want a day out.

 

[time_vans]

had a similar experience with match fishing a couple of years ago .had just won a match but felt hollow no buzz nothing.like yourself realised that i couldn't improve anymore and had a break.still fish once a fortnight and enjoy it for what it is a day out with a cracking bunch of guys.....then i discovered golf and this is my new challenge. all the highs i experienced in match fishing are awaiting me on the golf course. i could never give angling up for good and i guess your love of golf will return and the pleasure gleaned. my dad used a wonderful expression ...'better to be alive on a rainy day than dead on a sunny one'......two years ago the penny dropped.

 

[DCB]

Birdieman,

I've gone the other way, I've been that engrossed in the golf that my fishing has suffered. Usually mix the golf and the fishing quite well, but Golf does get a better percentage of my time normally, just this year, after a series of lessons early season I'm trying to get things back on track so spemt a lot of time on the course.

Take time, don't force things and you'll get back on the course and enjoying it before long. You play too well to give it up on a whim so don't go down that road.

Fishing season has only 8 weeks or so left so get back to the golf when you can. ( reminder to self, must get out on the water in the next 8 weeks)

 

[DCB]

Birdieman,

Fishing is also good for those of us who are gear freeks ! All those lovely expensive fly rods and have you seen the Ari Hart reels ooohhh !

makes golf gear look cheep by comparison.

 

[madandra]

Stu, I have been in the golfing doldrums for about 3 months and even now I am not excited at the prospect of a game. It could be the weather getting me down as another year has passed without as much as a weeks uninterupted sunshine.

 

[RGuk]

birdie.....I've been there and knocked it on the head for years. Looking back I wish I hadn't done it. There is no cure if you're feeling down and hit a brick wall with improvement. You've just got to ride the storm, keep your game ticking over and wait for the bug to return. If your yearly fees aren't too much keep up your membership and play twice a month socially. I that's too much, or 20-30 games a year works out too pricey, I guess you have a tough decision to make.
Sadly, there are a lot of us that maintain decent h'caps by working really hard and playing/practicing rather too much. If we/us take it easy for a while, we seem to get worse and the joy disappears....it's a conundrum....