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10 Things You’ve Always Wanted To Know About Golf

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Are old white guys keeping you from taking up golf? (photo by Greg D'Andrea)
Are old white guys keeping you from taking up golf? (photo by Greg D’Andrea)

Do you have an interest in taking up golf as a hobby? Maybe you’ve got friends that play, or have passed a golf course and thought it looked nice?

Perhaps you’ve played mini golf or have been to a driving range, but still have trepidation about actually taking up the game? Or maybe like many non-golfers, you’re just wondering what all the fuss is about?

Well we here at GolfStinks understand – you have questions and deserve answers. So without further ado, here’s 10 things you’ve always wanted to know about golf (but were probably afraid to ask)…

  1. Are all golfers old, white men?

    Truth be told, the majority of golfers out on the course will be white men over age 50. The United States Golf Association (USGA) has aspirations to diversify the game, but it’s been slow-going. This doesn’t mean golf’s completely void of diversification as 23% of players are female, while 20% belong to a minority group. Meanwhile, nearly 40% are actually under the age of 50. While these numbers aren’t all that spectacular, they shouldn’t deter you from giving golf a try. Here’s a website that’s completely bucking this trend.

  2. Is golf really that expensive?

    In short, kind of. New clubs, shoes and other golf equipment will cost at least several hundred dollars just to get you started. Sure, much of this stuff can be found secondhand, but you’ll still need to pay to play each time you go. Statistics show the average annual household income of a golfer is $95,000, which suggests folks of lower income simply can’t afford the game. In this regard, golf really needs to be more accessible to a wider range of folks. But the good news is you can play golf on a budget if you try. Playing only 9-holes or taking advantage of the twilight rates are just two (albeit rather weak) examples.

  3. Is mini golf the same as regular golf on a smaller scale?

    Don’t be embarrassed to ask this question as many others wonder the same thing! Contrary to its name, mini golf is not simply a miniature version of golf. The two may appear similar, but in reality they are vastly different and individually unique. And just because you enjoy mini golf does not mean you will enjoy regular golf and vice versa – they are two completely different games.

  4. I’ve heard golf is really hard. Is it?

    You’ve heard right – golf is really hard. The pros might make it look easy, but they comprise less than 1% of golfers. This is why golf gadgets, books and teaching pros are staying in business. The game is woefully challenging and extremely difficult to master. It takes skill, athleticism and a tough mental prowess. But relax, you don’t have to be good at golf to enjoy it – simply getting out in nature, hanging out with friends and playing the game at your own level can be wonderfully satisfying in and of itself.

  5. Does playing golf really take all day?

    Certainly not all day. They say golf “should” take 3-4 hours, but an 18-hole round can easily take 5+ hours – especially when the course is full, like on a weekend. Players lollygagging on the course (AKA “slow play“) is a big problem with golf. Some of this has to do with the golfers themselves and some has to do with the ridiculously complicated USGA rule book (which is another story entirely). Similar to playing on a budget, you should consider only 9-holes when playing on a tight schedule.

  6. I’ve heard you can only have fun golfing if you’re drunk – is this true?

    Sadly, for some this is true. Since golf is played at a more relaxed pace compared to other sports, it is possible to enjoy a cold beverage whilst meandering around the course. As a result, some players take it too far and think drunkenness and golf go hand-in-hand. By all means, have a beer or two during your round. And if you want to get obliterated, feel free to do that in the 19th hole afterwards. But if you have to get plastered while actually playing, perhaps that’s a sign golf isn’t for you.

  7. Is driving the golf cart really that much fun?

    Yes and no. Non-golfers always have interest in driving the golf cart because it’s something they can relate to – to them it’s like a go-kart and who doesn’t like go-karts? Sure, it’s nice to be off-roading in a little buggy with the wind whipping through your hair, but at the end of the day it’s simply a mode of transportation with space to stow your equipment. To be honest, most of the GolfStinks crew enjoys walking the course over riding.

  8. Do I really have to wear those “golf” clothes?

    Thank God no! Not long ago it was a different story. But with golf participation down, courses have relaxed their rules somewhat. Newer, more stylish athletic gear has also spruced-up an otherwise stuffy old look. And though shirts with collars are still mandatory attire at a majority of golf establishments, it’s fairly common to get away with a nice crew neck nowadays.

  9. Why is golf on TV so boring?

    This is an easy one – it’s because watching people play golf IS boring. It’s typically quiet and there’s not much action going on. But once you’re out on that course and steeped in a competitive round, boring is the last thing you’d call it. Golf has to be experienced, not witnessed. If you can forget about what you see on TV and just get out there and play the game yourself, then you will begin to understand why millions of people love golf.

  10. I stink at golf. Should I really be playing on a “good” golf course?

    Absolutely! First of all, you should never feel embarrassment over your poor play because you’re not alone – nearly half of all golfers can’t shoot below 100 and 75% can’t break 90 (for all the non-golfers out there, 72 or lower would be what the typical pro shoots). Secondly, golf courses are there for us to enjoy – regardless of our skill level (that’s why there are different tee-boxes). You should never feel like you’ve wasted your time or money on an awesome course simply because you’ve played poorly there. If we’ve said this once, we’ve said it a thousand times: Golf is so much more than your final score.

5 Reasons Golf is Hard

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Ever feel like you're at a disadvantage when playing golf? (photo by Chris Chirico)
Ever feel like you’re at a disadvantage when playing golf? Well, you might be onto something… (photo by Chris Chirico)

Look, I get it – golf is hard. But for many, winter represents a time to work on improving our games for the season ahead. And although we all have good intentions, we typically fall short of our goals.

We hit into a net or simulator; practice our chipping and putting; read books and articles to tweak our swings; buy new (and supposedly better) equipment; and maybe even take a lesson or two from the local pro. But how much of that really helps once we’re back out on the course? Well, if you’re like most golfers, it doesn’t help much.

But don’t fret, because there are good reasons why next season won’t be much different than this season…at least in terms of your score (see below). Keep in mind these 5 reasons are not intended to help your game as much as they are intended to help you put into perspective your relationship with the game.

  1. Golf requires a fair-amount of athletic ability. Contrary to what many non-golfers believe, the golf swing is actually a complex series of muscle movements that must be timed perfectly. This not only requires said muscles (both upper- and lower-body) to flex in an unrestricted manner, but also necessitates sharp hand-eye coordination. It’s fairly obvious (as with most sports) that many folks simply do not possess the strength and/or coordination needed to be truly good at the game.
  2. Golf requires a fair-amount of mental ability. As most new golfers realize fairly quickly, a good part of the game is mental. In fact, there’s probably nearly as many books dedicated to the mental-side of golf than those dedicated to swing mechanics. The one trait all great golfers have in common (more so than how perfect their swing is) is how cool they can be under pressure. It’s this unwavering calm that helps them sink a 6-foot putt when millions are on the line and millions are watching. We weekenders have trouble making a 6-foot putt when a few bucks are on the line and three people are watching.
  3. Golf requires a fair-amount of practice. Six hours a day – that’s how much time the average aspiring golfer practices to perfect their skills. And keep in mind, this is already after they’ve recognized they have the athletic and mental abilities necessary. How realistic is this for weekend golfers? It’s not realistic at all for me – I’m lucky to get out and play a few times a month, let alone find additional time to practice! And this leads us to…
  4. Golf requires a fair-amount of money. How much money have you spent on lessons, books, equipment and endless buckets of range balls over the years? Imagine quitting your job and doing the aforementioned for 6 hours a day – would you be able to afford it? I imagine many of us would not.
  5. Golf requires consistent results. So you have the athletic ability; the mental ability; and are able to fund and find the practice time. Let’s face it, you’re a good golfer – probably even scratch. But can you play well consistently? The best golfers (like those on tour vs. say, your club pro) have figured out how to put up consistent results day-in and day-out – week-in and week-out – year-in and year-out. I can’t figure out how to be consistent within the same hole! I hit a great drive and then flub my approach. I’ll chip it close, but then miss the 5-footer for par. It’s the story of my (and many others) life on the course. But you shouldn’t let this get you down because…

Even though this isn’t the most encouraging list for average golfers, that wasn’t the point. The point was to help you understand that this game – from the standpoint of the recreational player – isn’t supposed to be about playing well. It’s supposed to be about enjoyment – regardless of the final number on your scorecard.

The reality is it’s so easy to get frustrated with this game. But when you take a look at what it takes to really play this game well, one has to recognize the ridiculousness of getting frustrated at all.

For those aspiring golfers who have the talent and time, I say go for it – follow your dream because there are so very few great golfers out there. But for the rest of us, let’s appreciate this game for our reasons: Fun, sport, relaxation, camaraderie, exercise – recreation! Golf is a game, you should have fun playing it.

Is Golf Meant for the Rich?

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golfstinks, golfsitnksTo many non-golfers, the title of this post has a very clear and direct answer: Yes.

But for those of us who play love this game, the answer isn’t that easy. After all, many of us don’t consider ourselves rich.

Most of us have to work for a living at a modest job – we’re not jet-setters, leisurely golfing around the globe at some exotic locale like Abu Dhabi or Thailand.  Nor do we tee-it-up daily at some hoity-toity private club where late-model luxury sedans fill the parking lot.

No sir, we drive our Honda Accord or Ford Fusion to the local public course and fork-over $60 to squeeze in 18-holes every Saturday. I say “squeeze” because inevitably we have to return home to mow the lawn before it gets too dark. Clearly we aren’t rich, so the headline of this post is a bit perplexing to us.

What we forget though, is that we’re the middle class…and we can afford golf. We can afford $125 for a pair of golf shoes every year or two; we can spend $600 or $700 on a new set of clubs every 5 to 7 years; we have a closet full of polo shirts that we already wear to work; and we have an extra 60 to 100 bucks a week to plunk down on greens fees. We may not always be happy with the costs associated with golf, but we pay them because (a) we love this game and (b) we can afford to pay them.

However, there are many, many people who cannot afford to play golf. Golf is not soccer or baseball – where you can organize a quick game at the local park. Nor is it basketball – where you can just show up at the courts down the street and play a quick pick-up game for free.

The mere fact that you have to pay to play golf sets it apart. In fact, you even have to pay to practice golf. Let’s ponder this for a second: First you pay to learn golf; then you pay to practice golf; and then you pay to actually play golf. Add to that the costs associated with clubs, balls and apparel and you begin to get the picture.

The USGA and other authoritative organizations within the industry want to grow the game. They want to bring golf to inner-city kids and others who wouldn’t normally have an opportunity to play. I say kudos to them. But this is not an easy task. The very foundational structure of golf requires the need for money. And not just initial money to learn the game – but liquid cash on hand throughout a lifetime of playing the game. We can get them started, but will they be able to continue?

Something within golf needs to change in order bring more diversity to the game. Perhaps golf course developers need to consider creating (or investing in) more 9-hole or Executive-style links – this would provide an inexpensive alternative to the typical 18-hole facility. These smaller tracts would be more cost effective to run and serve as a training ground for newer golfers and/or those who simply can’t afford 18-hole greens fees.

Funneling money to smaller-sized courses is just one possible solution – I’m sure there are many others – like removing this notion that every part of the golf course must be lush and green (AKA the Augusta effect). But ultimately, the point is something needs to change or the dream of growing the game will forever be…a dream.

So, is golf meant for the rich? Well, let’s put it this way: It’s certainly not meant for the poor.

Chip Shots: Dinner, 2 Rounds of Golf or a Dozen Balls?

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What would you spend $75 on? If you answer dinner or a couple rounds, you are a normal person. If you answer a dozen balls, well I don’t know what to say but read on. Yes it’s true, Dixon Golf sells a dozen of it’s “Fire” series balls for a whopping 75 clams. They also mention that they are for pro’s and scratch golfers. I guess that means the 26 million or so hacks don’t apply. 

In Dixon’s defense, they do a lot of work with charities giving a percentage of their sales to deserving recipients. In fact they have a section on their site dedicated to it. That works for me. Anybody ever use them?

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

5 Reasons Why they Hate Golf

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I know it’s hard to believe, but there are people in this world who simply hate the game of golf. Conceding that these folks are basically scoundrels, they still have a right to be haters.

And while those of us who read this blog simply adore the game, the haters have their reasons for considering golf a waste of good time, money and real estate.

So what are these reasons? I’m sure there are more, but I basically boiled-it-down to five big issues…Let’s examine them:

Golf is Too Boring
Sure, you and I know that golf is about physically and mentally coming together to pull-off the perfect shot every time you hit the ball, but to non-golfers, it’s a downright snore. Have you ever watched golf on TV? You have to admit, the commentators don’t make it very exciting. And then the crowd (unless the shot is pretty awesome) is fairly subdued. Television aside, people that don’t understand the game don’t appreciate laying up on a par 5 or hitting a good lag on a long putt – it’s all just rather ho-hum to them. These are the same people who also relate to the second one on this list…

Golf is Too Stupid
“Why would you want to chase a little white ball around for hours and hours?” How many times have you heard that one from a non-golfing friend or family member? To these folks, golf is just plain stupid. It boggles their mind on how you will actually pay to play this game. You can explain all the things you love about golf but it will probably fall upon deaf ears – let them think what they wish.

Golf is Too Slow
OK, we golf lovers may actually agree with this one. But we’re upset over something taking five hours that should only take four. For non-golfers, three hours would be too long. Look, the reality is, when you don’t necessarily like something, you want it to be over as soon as possible. But could it be too painful for these people rather than too slow? See below…

Golf is Too Hard
Do you have that friend who has to be great at everything he or she does? It’s the best to get these people out on the golf course and watch them shank and slice their way back to the clubhouse for the first and last time. “How do you play this game?” they’ll ask as they proclaim you’d have to be crazy to fork over hard-earned cash without ever having a chance to go pro. Yes my non-golfing friends, golf is hard. But that’s what’s so fun about it! One man’s torture is another’s comfort.

Golf is Too Expensive
This has a ring of truth to it. When you compare the costs of playing golf with playing, say, any other recreation sport, golf will (over the course of the season) cost you more. This can mostly be attributed to greens fees, which all recreational golfers must fork-over before teeing off. And this is probably why golf has been (and continues to be) called a “rich man’s” game. But I don’t think that label is necessarily fair. For example, I’m by no means “rich” yet I can still afford to play once a week (granted I’m not playing Pebble Beach every week). But hey, when you have a passion for something, you figure out how to work it into your life. Perhaps golf is expensive, but too expensive? Not if you love it.

So to all you golf haters that may stumble across this post…remember: Before you tell that golfer in your life his or her favorite sport is boring, slow and stupid – consider this joke: Two guys are walking down the first fairway at the local club and one man says to the other; “My wife told me if I don’t quit golfing, she’s gonna divorce me…God I’m going to miss her.”

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