Sean,
Haven't you ever gone out to play by yourself and made two birdies in a row and really want to make that third or fourth until the run eventually ends. I think that is competition, not goal achieving.
I once had a guy tell me that an architect screwed up because he attempted a number of six irons from 90 yds that did not work. What he does not understand is that same shot works from 200 yds because the ball must already have momentum at the 90 yd mark to utilize the ground contour properly. The intent of the hole is to hit wedge from 90 yds. Putter will also work from 90 yds...his conclusion was pure idiocy that I continue to prove wrong year after year.
John
Of course I want to do well, but if I am playing by myself who am I competing with? I think you, like many on this site, fail to understand the meaning of competition. I think folks use the word "competition" for lack of a better way to express themselves when they are out for a bit of fun or practice by themselves.
I am not doubting that there are better shots to be played in certain situations or that perhaps there isn't a best shot to be played, but that isn't quite the same thing as saying the archie didn't intend... One of the marks of a great course is that all sorts of shots can be pulled off. Hence the idea of recovery being one of the most fun shots in golf.
Ciao