We’re in the midst of little league baseball season for my boys. And while one is excelling all-around, the other is struggling a bit with the bat. So yesterday afternoon, we took a trip to the batting cages.
We worked on some things and, next thing you know, he’s getting around on the ball and even putting a bit of a charge into a few. It was good work, and I’m hoping it carries over into his next game.
But one of the most fun things about going to the cages was getting in them myself. I don’t care how old you are, it’s always fun to get into the cage and see if you can still get around on some of those pitches in the fastball bay.
It wasn’t until I stepped out of the batting cage and looked over at the guys out on the accompanying golf driving range; That’s when I noticed something strange – I’m smiling and having a good time while they look miserable and pissed-off. But you know what, I understand that. I understand how they feel. I’m just going to come out and say it right now…practicing golf sucks.
You can argue with me, but let’s be honest with ourselves. For most golfers, it’s just not fun. As a matter of fact, it’s almost like work, if not worse. Why is that? I mean, I can have a good time at the range (either indoor or outdoor), so why does everyone else at the range look so miserable? The only thing I can think of is that these guys take it too serious.
I can see these guys getting angry with themselves on poor shots…and that makes me laugh. Why? Well, it’s simple really. If you aren’t that great to begin with, then how can you get so angry at yourself when you hit a poor shot…especially at the range? Out on the course, you hit them pretty often. You’re not a PGA pro, so what’s the issue? I understand I’m not Albert Pujols, so I don’t flip out when I swing and miss in the cage or hit a weak ground-out in softball. Same with golf – why would I get so angry about screwing up at the range when I stink out on the course? For the record, I don’t get angry on the course either.
And that, as we have said many times here at GolfStinks, is the problem with so many golfers. They take the game way too serious. Serious to the point where they’re taking all of the fun out of it. Now I’m not saying that we shouldn’t all try to get better. Rather I’m saying we should all remember that it is just a game. You should have fun playing it.
Swing ’til you’re happy!
Bravo! Well said. Golfers are actually lead to believe (mostly through advertising and publications) that they too can hit it like a pro. It’s just false. On occasion the amateur clobbers a drive or pulls off the near impossible shot and suddenly the endorphins are flowing and we imagine ourselves as tour pros.
In reality the amateur could resemble a pro in and around the green where the field is somewhat leveled but that isn’t glamorous enough. We are obsessed with “ball goes far.” Sure that’s fun but impractical. Poor guys aren’t exposed to anything else by advertising unfortunately. They’ve been brainwashed.
There is a little masochist in all of us who play this game. 🙂
Practicing golf doesn’t suck, practicing a crap swing sucks. That’s what my old man keeps telling me. Dave, you are so right.
Some of those are the same guys that come home from a tough day at work and kick the dog.
I’m not miserable at the driving range. I like to be there working on my game. And, I never get angry at the game.
I’m just trying to figure out why, in the picture, one guy has on a short sleeved shirt and the other guy is wearing a hoodie…
@Eric – because the guy on the left is Stinky Golfer Tom, and I’ve stopped trying to understand why he does the things he does (he also wears a golf glove on each hand while playing). Although in Tom’s defense, it was October, so it probably was a bit cool out.
Seriously, most of you “serious” words should be “seriously”–an adverb. However, I understand your observations. I myself rarely become angry when practicing on the driving ranges.