The words above were the actual words spoken by a guy I work with during our last conversation about golf. Such a simple statement, but yet so appropriate for the stinky golfer attitude. And it’s funny because I thought I was a stinky golfer. But my co-worker has got me beat.
Now this guy, he’s a married father of two. Monday-Friday are wrapped up in a relatively demanding job. His weekends are pretty much occupied by his wife and kids. Free time for him, apparently, is a rarity. So when he gets the chance to play golf, it’s a luxury. It’s a treat. It’s his fun time, and he plans on having some fun!
He pretty much summed it up for me in that recent conversation. I was talking about the new golf shoes I had purchased, or more specifically, the reason I purchased them. “My shoes were terrible” I said. “My feet would be hurting by the 11th or 12th hole.” He gave me a look that I can only describe as confused astonishment. “You walk when you play?” he said to me. I said that I try to as much as I can because it’s good exercise. His response? “Are you kidding, I play for fun! Exercise! #$%& that!” I laugh, but for the most part I agree with him. He goes on to say, “I bust my ass and get tired all week! Why the hell would I want to do it when I’m supposed to be having fun?”
I started thinking about my answer to this question. Do I say that it’s better exercise? No, I’m not out there for exercise. Do I mention how I can get a better “feel” for the course if I walk it? What am I a PGA pro?! I couldn’t even explain how a course feels if I laid down naked in the middle of the 15th fairway. So I can think of no other response other than to agree with him. After all, I actually do agree with him!
So I begin to think to myself, how is this not my mentality? I want to play well, but I am also out there to have fun! Why am I exhausting myself? Why am I making stupid excuses? I work hard and get tired all week and it’s no fun. I don’t want to do the same things out on the golf course. I want to relax and enjoy myself. I don’t want to get tired of the game. But if the game turns into work, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
But now I wonder further, is this part of the reason I’ve had such a lax attitude toward the game this year? I didn’t play nearly as much as I could/should have this year. The opportunities to play were there, I just didn’t purse them. Is it because I’m looking at the game with the wrong attitude? Am I starting to look at the game with less fun than I used to? Did the idea of doing things to try to improve my game, such as the custom-fitted clubs and a balance bracelet, take some of the fun out of it for me and put more of a focus on improving my game? If so, then in my mind I’m heading in the wrong direction with this game.
I never wanted it to be this way. I just wanted to have fun. I didn’t want it to become work. I didn’t want it to become anything more than a good time with my buddies. I think I’m going to have to rethink my feelings toward this game. Is it possible that I’ve begun to take this game too seriously? No, that’s not it. Maybe just a little more serious than I ever wanted to.
Swing ’til you’re happy!
Matt and I have this same conversation all of the time. It is a slippery slope when it comes to trying to improve your game. At some point, in order to get much better, you almost have to stop “playing for fun”. The irony is clear.
For me, I believe that the quest for improvement and fun do not have to be mutually exclusive although it is easier said than done.