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!
