There used to be a time that people scoffed at the idea of playing golf. But over the years, it has grown in popularity, and it is watched by millions, and people of all backgrounds have joined a golf club – and play regularly. Of course, there will forever be an argument over if it is the best post or not, but one thing is for sure – it is a great hobby.
Versatile
There are a lot of options when it comes to how and where you play. There are golf clubs and courses all over the world, and you can pick a few of the ones you’d like to play on and combine it with a nice vacation. You can play alone if you’re the lone-wolf type, or you can play in a group if you’re more social.
Age
There are no age limits on golf. The oldest golfer is somewhere in the region of 103, and Tiger Woods started playing when he was only 2 years old. Pretty much all golf clubs will have a senior section and a junior section – so it’s great for families to get involved in.
Variation
You will never have two games the same. While you might play the same course more than once, the weather, your energy levels, your swing, and who you play with can change the game quickly. Even the golf balls you play with will make a difference.
Social
There is a great social aspect to playing golf. The club will likely have dinners, luncheons, and other larger social gatherings, but you can eat and drink on most courses, and who doesn’t love sharing a hot flask of tea on a cold morning? Of course, you can bring a hip flask along if you’d prefer to – but perhaps leave that until the afternoon.
Compete
You are free to play against anyone you like. Just because you have been playing weeks and your opponent has been years doesn’t mean you can have a great and enjoyable game. This is, in contrast, to many other sports where you ideally want to play against someone with the same skill levels as you.
Formats
There are so many ways to enjoy your game and score that you won’t get bored any time soon. You can play greensomes, foursomes, Stableford, texas-scramble and medal. It is completely up to you.
Etiquette
This might be one of the most compelling reasons to play. There are some unwritten rules of golf that just makes sense. You should shake hands at the end of each round – keeping it civil, always. Everyone in the group will look for stray balls – which is nice. And you should never walk on your playing partner’s putting lines. There is a lot of respect that goes into playing a good game of golf.
When it comes down to it, gold is not only enjoyable, but it is a game of skill too. And if you like combining sunny mornings, hot flasks of tea, and some quick calculations, then it is the ultimate hobby for you.
