You wouldn’t think that hitting a small white ball around a wooded area would be much fun, but ask any golfer about the time they first really connected with a driver and they’ll tell you they were hooked from that moment on! Golf isn’t one of those sports that kind of grows on you; you’re either captivated from the off or you can’t see the pleasure in trying to knock a ball down a hole in the grass.
Playing the Course
When you stand on the first tee of an 18-hole golf course, you are ready to do battle with nature; sand traps, wooded areas and let’s not forget the water features that you find on every course. The Par of the course is the number of shots a professional golfer should take to complete the 18 holes, which is a good guideline for lesser players and every hole has its risks, which you have to negotiate. So, you might be playing in a group of 4, but you are also playing against the course, which makes things that much more interesting.
Great Exercise
Playing a round of golf takes it out of you; aside from the 70+ shots you play, you also have to walk the entire course, which might be 7000 yards! There are alternatives, you can find an online company selling cheap golf carts or hire one at the golf club; indeed, many players prefer a caddie, someone who carries your golf bag and also advises you on how to play the course. If you have a desk job, for example, you probably don’t get much exercise and playing a round of golf at the weekend changes all that.
Motivation to Improve
The ultimate goal of every golfer is to have a handicap of zero, which is called scratch. If you are a scratch player, you should equal the part of the course, but this is not an easy thing to accomplish. A raw beginner would have a handicap of 24 (36 for a youngster) and it would take a few years to get down to a handicap of single figures. Once your handicap is less than 10, it gets really hard to improve and those that go for it, might reach scratch handicap after a decade of playing. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, becoming a scratch player takes many years. Click here for information about caddy golf.
Business & Golf
Business is often discussed over a round of golf, which is a very civilised way of doing business and many people get into golf for that very reason. When you see four middle aged men playing ahead of you and you wonder what’s taking so long, they are likely talking business while playing.
The handicap system allows all levels to compete against each other; a golf pro could lose against a raw novice and vice versa. Golf is many people’s way to relax and get exercise, while promoting good health & well-being, which is very important during these troubled times.
If you fancy trying your hand at golf, there will be a golf driving range nearby where you can have a few lessons from a professional golf instructor and you will probably end up playing for the rest of your life.
