Let's examine an aspect of the game that I find par- ticularly fascinating:- The strong emotions associated with this game of golf.
Before I started becoming a fan of this game, I always wondered how a game that looked so bland----and at times down right comatose-----that seemed to take boredom to a whole new level------could possibly have Any emotional appeal.
DID THIS GAME ACTUALLY HAVE A PULSE?!
I mean-------what could be simpler? PUT THE BALL IN THE HOLE, RIGHT?
How could that POSSIBLY produce such strong emotions (both on the green and off).
I see now that it's NOT just about competing to be the best against others, and to better your own game.
But that the game APPEARS to be so deceptively simple. Could THAT be the source of this emotional rollercoaster?
Remember when you first began? How you may have experienced difficulty just gripping the club handle? (Or just being allowed to join the local golf club?) ;-]
But yet you still managed to "putt" the ball in the hole? (A typical case of beginner's luck). You probably thought to yourself, "This isn't so bad. Piece of caKE!"
But then, all the realities of what could possibly go wrong between the tee and the hole came crashing down on your head. (That your instructor was so gracious to point out to you).
Wind direction, contour of the land, sand traps, bunkers, the rough, other players mocking you,...
That temporary NIRVANA of IGNORANT BLISS that you lived in was shattered to pieces forever at the next hole. Now instead of 4 or 5 strokes, it takes 7 or 8 strokes. Then 8 or 9...
You begin to overthink everything. Something that once easily flowed...now becomes mechanical and forced. Your smile and upbeat attitude are gone. Now replaced with embarassment. Nervousness. Irritability.
And finally,---the dreaded FRUSTRATION sets in. TO quit seems more and more like a good idea. (I mean who needs the aggravation?)
But you don't quit, right?The game is like an addiction to you after several weeks. There's something deep within the subconscious of we human beings that enjoys facing down a challenge...even if it's a sport.
THere's a drive to conquer in all of us. Even to the point of conquering our own weaknesses and seeming lack of ability.
It's a tough battle sometimes. If you've ever seen a golfer break his expensive titanium club over his knee, tie it in a knot, then toss it into the nearest water hazard,... Or screaming at the top of his lungs at a golf ball... Or trying to run his caddie over because he forgot to remove the flag in time...you know what I mean.
But the love still remains.
If you've ever seen a golfer drooling over a new bag of clubs in the sporting goods department of a department store... or have known yourself to pay the grounds keeper to let you play just four more holes after hours...Or remembered to bring your clubs on vacation, but left your wife standing in the drive way...you know what I mean!
The highs and lows of this game in the hearts and minds of golfers.
THIS is the emotional roller coaster I was referring to.
Going from one extreme to the next.
Can you see yourself living from day-to-day without this sport for any length of time?
Just think about that for a second...
HMMmm?
Feels like a rather BLEAK outlook doesn't it? ;-] Hm?
This sport has been "knitted" to our souls. We practically live and breath it now. And are always striving to become better. To knock just a few more strokes off.
Just keep punching, and that mountain's gonna fall!
We know that true skill is a "diamond in the rough", that can only be refined through hard work and practice.
Well...
Just keep drivin' fellow golfer! Keep drivin'!
Copyright 2005 by Kevin D. Rolle. All rights reserved.
My name is Kevin D. Rolle ("The Golf Humor Artist"). I have a site at http://www.golf-humor-asylum.com which focuses on all the humorous and comedic aspects of golf. I am also an artist and cartoonist, and give visual meaning to golf humor through an exciting golf comic strip and commentary at my website. Thanks.
Are you ready to take your golf game to a... Read More
The term golf fitness expert has grown in popularity for... Read More
Planning on becoming the next Tiger Woods? If so, the... Read More
A golf injury is one of the most common issues... Read More
How do you fix it? Well, there's no magic core... Read More
Replacing your golf grips is like servicing your car; you... Read More
The fascinating thing about golf-specific weight training is that despite... Read More
Sir Issac Newton was one of the world's most influential... Read More
A comfort zone becomes a problem whenever a player is... Read More
You've come home from work dead tired. You grab the... Read More
It's one thing to get mad when you miss a... Read More
Improve golf swing seems like a thought that is on... Read More
Let's face it, if you are a passionate golfer who... Read More
Plugging in a golf fitness dvd is a great alternative... Read More
It should be rather clear to everybody that the gift... Read More
Picture yourself standing on the tee box of your favorite... Read More
There are many golfers who have been exposed to many... Read More
The key to playing par golf is to focus on... Read More
Here in England we are on the verge of the... Read More
With all the talk about the players on tour getting... Read More
There is more to a golf vacation than spending your... Read More
It's no secret that a golf exercise program can put... Read More
Have you experienced this when you're bidding on ebay or... Read More
Golf fitness should be a priority for any golfer in... Read More
One of the most common concerns expressed by golfers is... Read More
Yes you heard it right! Golf stretches in your office.... Read More
Everyone wants a firm midsection. For the golfer, it delivers... Read More
Today, it seems, that many people are all too familiar... Read More
Golf is a $60 billion per year industry. Much of... Read More
Golf specific exercises are part and parcel of the modern... Read More
Do you need some golf swing tips? If you could... Read More
Compression, in terms of a golf ball, is probably the... Read More
Replacing your golf grips is like servicing your car; you... Read More
Golf swing timing is a key factor in being able... Read More
On our way back from a recent round of golf,... Read More
Basically, your approach shot is your shot onto the green.... Read More
There is no doubt that the proper golf swing technique... Read More
Golf swing speed is an elusive term for most amateur... Read More
Are you planning a golf vacation to Myrtle Beach, Hilton... Read More
The golf club swing speed is what will determine your... Read More
Golf stance is one of the most ignored terms and... Read More
Watching the tournament rounds of today's LPGA players is more... Read More
Golf sensation Tiger Woods' golf swing technique has been the... Read More
It is a proven fact that any power exercise will... Read More
The need for balance for golf just sounds so simple... Read More
Golf instruction is critical in understanding the mechanics of the... Read More
He's not eager to reveal his handicap; Around the truth... Read More
Golf swing training aids have a bad reputation with most... Read More
A golfer elbow injury has got to be one of... Read More
There is no doubt that body flexibility is extremely important... Read More
Golf Golf |
|