After a weekend of shooting lights-out golf and earning one of those gigantic checks (literally), do you think Tiger, or any superstar golfer on the tour for that matter, ever gets the desire to just hit a local public course? I don’t necessarily mean some $12, play-all-day, military test ground-looking hell hole. I’m talking about a nice upscale public course with his buddies.
Better yet, when he was in his bachelor days, do you think he ever went on a date that consisted of dinner at Chili’s and eighteen holes of mini-golf? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that’s not exactly how he reeled in Elin. So if I had to guess, I would say probably not. But don’t laugh…those mini golf putts are tough! You could get some good practice with those uneven surfaces under the frayed and bunched-up carpets and the raised lip around the cup. Not to mention the windmill! Well, either it’s good practice or it will completely ruin your putting game.
Anyway, I would think between practice and tournaments, those rounds with his buddies will probably have to wait. Especially those rounds at the public course…those will likely never come. But it’s not just because he is who he is…it’s also because he’s doing his job, and probably doesn’t want to do more of it on his time off.
Along the same lines, can you picture a guy like Mario Andretti getting behind the wheel of a go-kart just for fun? What would be the point, right? That may be fun for a regular guy like me, but that’s because I don’t get to drive a hi-performance, bullet-with-wheels at 200+ MPH on a closed track.
What about a famous chef like Jacques Pepin? I would be willing to bet he doesn’t roll-out-of-bed every morning and whip himself up a crepe stuffed with shrimp, scallions and scallops in a velouté sauce. On a side note, do you think he ever just drops-in to his local Mickey D’s? Well…actually I can picture that one. To hell with Morgan Spurlock! World-class chef or not, how can you resist a quarter-pounder with cheese every once in a while? And he’s not cooking it anyway, right? Someone is preparing a meal (to a degree) for him for a change! But as I said, for the most part these guys are doing their jobs, which they probably don’t want to do on their days off. Think about it, would you want to?
Some examples: If you are a garbage collector, when you get home do you offer to take out your neighbor’s trash for them? If you are a veterinarian, do you wake up on Sunday morning, check to see if your dog’s nose is wet then proceed to give Rover a check-up by putting your finger in a place Rover would likely prefer you didn’t? Maybe you’re stuck alone in the office mailroom and you stuff envelopes all day for a living…something tells me you’re going to setup automatic bill payments through your bank. Maybe you’re the greeter at the front doors of Wal-Mart. If so, I would think you’ll probably not be inviting as many people to your home as you would if you were the envelope stuffer.
See my point? No? Maybe I don’t really see it either. It’s just something that crossed my mind. Maybe some people do the same stuff they do for a living on their time off. Maybe they enjoy it enough to do so. You know what they say – find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. I would imagine athletes don’t quite look at their “jobs” the same way the average worker does. So maybe golfers play golf on their off-days. I like to whenever I can. And for the dog’s sake, I hope the veterinarian does too.
I once had a friend who actually dated a porn star. That didn’t last long, but it was incredibly humorous when it did, especially the day I asked him what she did on her days off. “Does she do accounting for fun?” I said. “Or is her idea of relaxation finishing a pile of paperwork.”
The look on his face told the rest of our foursome that afternoon it wasn’t what you might think.
I know a car salesman who will try to sell you a car 24/7.
He’ll walk up to anyone on a Wal-Mart parking lot and say, “Your Saturn gets what, 27 miles per gallon? The new Camry gets 31 mpg and comes standard with BlueTooth, 53 DVD/CD reverse Bose speakers. What can I do to get you outta that piece of shit and into a real American made beauty”?
Yeah, some sales guys are on 24/7/365. There is something to be said for their determination, but as for me, I need to get away from work periodically or I go crazy.
Then again, my job is so much fun they have to pay me to do it. If it were a wonderful time for all, we would have to pay admission to get in the door every morning.
But that’s not to say it is not satisfying or enjoyable.
I know of one golfer who does… Dana Quigley, on the Champion’s Tour. The tales of Dana (and his PGA Tour nephew, Brett) playing 36 or more holes a day when not on tour are public knowledge.
Dana says it’s how he beat alcoholism, and he can’t imagine a day without golf.
There’s a reason they call Dana “the Iron Man.” But when you hear him talk about it, it’s also clear that he really loves to play.
A friend used to tell me there’s a reason they call it “work.” However, I’m not sure that all those on tour would feel that way.
Interesting point about the porn star Charles. Reminds me of a Seinfeld episode.
I have to believe that some of the pros like going out and just playing a round of golf for the fun of it.
I can’t imagine going out and just trying to sell a car for the fun of it. That’s a bit much.
As for the porn star, I would love to know, just for the fun of it!