[Jason Thurman]

Fairly often around here - most recently in the DECADE vs Architecture thread - a conversation reveals that different people play golf for entirely different reasons. Ostensibly, the objective of the game is to shoot as low a score as possible. But it's definitely not JUST about shooting a low score, and for some guys it's hardly about scoring at all.



Where does your joy come from when you play? How much is about scoring? How much is about hitting different shots, or pulling off one really great and improbably one? How much is about "interacting with the architecture" or whatever? What about your playing partners, good weather, scenery, etc? What factors matter very little at all to you, even if they matter a lot to others?


No right or wrong answers. I'm just interested in exploring how different people think about the game.

[Adam Lawrence]

Personally, I play golf for companionship, for fresh air, for exercise, and for the pleasure I get when I hit a decent shot. Companionship can be quite competitive -- I enjoy playing a match against my friends, and some of my best memories of my dad are of needle matches on the golf course. I can't remember the last time I kept a medal scorecard: usually it's either matchplay or Stableford points, or just hitting a ball for the hell of it.


I think focusing on score becomes more important the better a golfer you are. If your best round is 68 then doing a 67 is a real achievement. But with the best will in the world, if your best score is 93 then a 92 is so what?

[Jason Thurman]

A recent personal example:


I've been playing about the best golf of my life lately, at least until a back injury last weekend shut me down. Obviously I'm now convinced I'll never find the magic again, but man was I hitting some pretty shots before that shit happened. Lift with your knees everybody.


This stretch of strong play has coincided with a new shot I've added to my arsenal. At my last lesson, my coach got me working on a "never miss left" cut shot. My home course is full of OB left, I'd been fighting a pull off and on all year, and I wanted to be able to eliminate the left side when needed as well as a 10 handicap can reasonably hope.


The "never miss left" cut isn't an especially sexy shot most of the time. When I really hit it well, it's pretty. But when I hit an average one, it's more of a pull-slice that doesn't go very far. But it misses in a predictable place, and it seems to be really accurate in general. I feel more comfortable hitting my draw, but I rarely play it off the tee anymore, and I increasingly find myself hitting the cut on approaches because it just offers so much control.


I last played about a week ago, and on my final approach, I felt like cutting a gap wedge was the right play. But it wasn't the play I WANTED to make. I had hit a bunch of cuts already that day, and the shot I WANTED to hit was a little draw... especially with a wedge. There's nothing joyful about a cutty wedge. I'm proud of myself for committing to the shot and getting a "good miss" from it (I'm less proud of leaving the birdie putt 3 feet short, but proud of making the par putt). But enjoyment definitely isn't JUST about making the right decisions and scoring well for me. I like the variety of hitting different shots, and even if I could turn into a scratch player just by hitting that cut shot all day, I don't know if I would love the game more than I do as a 10 handicapper (down to 8.5!) who hits a variety of shots in a round.


Then again, I get a lot of lasting satisfaction from a good score. So even if each individual shot that got me there isn't maximized for fun delivery, the end result of a disciplined round where I choose the right play rather than the fun one is highly rewarding.

[Ira Fishman]

My love of golf stems largely from that it takes me to an otherworldly place in the sense that I almost never think about family, work, money, or other real world issues. Some of that transporting is a function of being outside on courses that never are the same twice no matter how many times you play them. And over the past 15 years I have really enjoyed learning about and experiencing architecture.  But much of it is the fact that I am playing a very difficult sport against myself. I do not take the results seriously perhaps because I am not good enough that they mean anything, but I do embrace the challenge in a way that forces other issues out of my consciousness. On my golf bag, “Be the Ball” is inscribed; I just ordered a second one with “Shivas Irons” inscribed.


Ira

[Jason Thurman]

I think focusing on score becomes more important the better a golfer you are. If your best round is 68 then doing a 67 is a real achievement. But with the best will in the world, if your best score is 93 then a 92 is so what?

This is interesting to me. It makes me think about playing with my cousins. I do that fairly often, and the two I play with most frequently are basically novice golfers but both working to improve and making real strides.


A huge difference between my mindset and theirs is that they're almost entirely focused on trying to hit good shots as often as possible, and trying to make birdies, pars, and even bogeys. Whereas my focus at this point is almost entirely on trying to improve my misses, and avoiding mistakes, and trusting the math to add up to a satisfactory number at the end of the round.


I can't imagine catching the golf bug by trying to learn to avoid 10s, then 9s, then 8s. You have to chase the dragon of the great shot and great individual hole scores for a while. But it seems like you then have to train yourself out of that mindset and learn to hit good misses to really improve. It took me almost 20 years of avid play before I finally accepted that. I've never loved golf more, but I can definitely understand the guy who doesn't love that kind of humble grind as much as he loves pursuing the enthralling highlight.

[Peter Sayegh]

Being outside and doing something physical. If I'm playing with a friend or acquaintance, all the better.
Nowadays, I'm more excited to see wildlife than I am shooting a great score.
Years ago, I was upset that I stopped being "competitive." That feeling has waned.
I enjoy golf now more than ever.

[Eric Smith]

"It comes from my blank and it blanks from my blank"    https://youtu.be/NanA8PQ1-1w?t=197

[Tommy Williamsen]

I enjoy playing with companions or my wife, but I think I enjoy playing alone the most. It is quiet and most of the time golf courses are in pretty places. But I think what I enjoy most is hitting the shot the way I envisioned it. It is like hitting a baseball in the middle of the bat. It is an otherworldly experience. Score used to be the most important thing. Not as much anymore. My skills have deteriorated, but once in a while I can find some magic. I love practicing the short game and when I am playing getting up and down from difficult spots. When I play alone I will take a mulligan periodically.


Two years ago I took a lesson, but the pro made too many changes in my swing and it messed me up for a year. I have been swinging a club for 70 years and making wholesale changes won't work.
I enjoy showing someone none of my clubs and making new friends. There is something about golfers that attracts really nice folks. I have friends all over the country.


When I travel, I will drop in on a club and drink in the atmosphere. I just love being at a golf course.

[Tim Martin]

When I play alone I will take a mulligan periodically.

Tom-Did you get clearance in perpetuity for such brazen acts or does each offense require it’s own special dispensation? I guess what I’m asking is how do you square it on high?

[Michael Moore]

Mashing one off the sweet spot in a nice setting.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Personally, I play golf for companionship, for fresh air, for exercise, and for the pleasure I get when I hit a decent shot. Companionship can be quite competitive -- I enjoy playing a match against my friends, and some of my best memories of my dad are of needle matches on the golf course. I can't remember the last time I kept a medal scorecard: usually it's either matchplay or Stableford points, or just hitting a ball for the hell of it.


I think focusing on score becomes more important the better a golfer you are. If your best round is 68 then doing a 67 is a real achievement. But with the best will in the world, if your best score is 93 then a 92 is so what?

Yeah, but if that 92 was an 89, it would be pretty exciting for most golfers.  The score is always a part of it, it's the nature of the game.  But NGF studies always show camaraderie, outdoor experience, and maybe friendly competition (i.e., the $1 wager) ar e what drive fun for average golfers.  I also suspect that score goes up as a fun driver as handicap goes down.


I have never been motivated by score.  I never get to where I want to go.  But, I am motivated by individual successful shots and like many here, might hit a statistically lower probability of success bump and run just to try it, even if my score goes up.


One period where I had the most fun at golf was when I worked at Killian and Nugent, and their office was a farmhouse off the Kemper Lakes Golf Course.  In summer, we adjusted our work hours to play golf, but often got in only 9-12 holes.  Since we couldn't post a full score, we tended to play match play and it was a hoot.  We did compare our ringer scores at the end of summer, and even then, there were a few holes where I never made par, even after a few dozen plays.  I guess I would have thought I could have parred all of them at least once per season.

[Jason Thurman]

Jeff, that's another good point. Going back to my cousins again, one of them is capable of regularly breaking 100. He's close to breaking 90 on occasion. But it's funny... late in the round, he'll start adding up his scores and figuring out what he needs to do to make sure he stays in double digits.


I pointed out to him last time we played that he was obsessing about a number that he was way ahead-of-pace on. I tried to make the point that, if he lets go of the focus on breaking 100 and just focuses on continuing to play good golf, as he had all day, that he'd have a good chance of adding up the total at the end of the round and finding a 95 or so, which would be a personal best for the course we were playing. But when he's going into the last couple holes just thinking "7 or better", he's not going to make many 4s and 5s like he had early in the round.


There's a lesson there somewhere about trusting the process or something like that. And I think that's now where most of my satisfaction from golf comes from - the challenge of just keeping your head down, finding the ball and hitting it, and trying to make good decisions along the way, and trusting that the scores will take care of themselves. But it probably makes me a little less likely to try the wild, all-or-nothing shots that can be such a unique thrill... when they work.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Jason, I've often said the hardest thing in sports is any task that starts with, "All I have to do is......."  I once had a fellow player tell me on the 18th tee that all I needed to shoot par was a 5.  Naturally, I made a six.

[Tommy Williamsen]

When I play alone I will take a mulligan periodically.

Tom-Did you get clearance in perpetuity for such brazen acts or does each offense require it’s own special dispensation? I guess what I’m asking is how do you square it on high?

I like to practice the art of forgiveness.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Jason, I've often said the hardest thing in sports is any task that starts with, "All I have to do is......."  I once had a fellow player tell me on the 18th tee that all I needed to shoot par was a 5.  Naturally, I made a six.

One of the more difficult things I hear from pros is the Players test. I had a friend who’d get to last couple of holes and think, All I have to do…? It took him five tries to make it. He missed it by one or two strokes all the other times.

[Thomas Dai]

Peace and tranquility are important. Experiencing different venues too (inc taking photos). Score, or maybe more importantly how it’s achieved or not achieved, also matters as does chatting and corresponding with like minded folks about the game.
Atb

[Ira Fishman]

Jason, I've often said the hardest thing in sports is any task that starts with, "All I have to do is......."  I once had a fellow player tell me on the 18th tee that all I needed to shoot par was a 5.  Naturally, I made a six.

Back in my teens and early 20s, I played Cog Hill 4 every Saturday with the same group. On the 18th tee on day, one of my group said “If you make 4, you will have a 78.” It would have the first time I broke 80 there. It won’t surprise you that I hit my tee shot so far OB right that it hit the roof of the maintenance shed. Never did break 80 at Cog. 40 years ago, and the memory still is vivid.


Ira

[Joe Hellrung]

When I play alone, I play because I enjoy being in nature.  I like playing very early or late in the evening. 


When I play with others, it is because I enjoy meeting others, or being with those I am friends with.  I enjoy all the small victories and defeats that come during a round, and especially the way it allows me to compete without taking it too seriously. 


I think well designed courses enhance both of these aspects of the game. 

[Jeff_Brauer]

Jason, I've often said the hardest thing in sports is any task that starts with, "All I have to do is......."  I once had a fellow player tell me on the 18th tee that all I needed to shoot par was a 5.  Naturally, I made a six.

Back in my teens and early 20s, I played Cog Hill 4 every Saturday with the same group. On the 18th tee on day, one of my group said “If you make 4, you will have a 78.” It would have the first time I broke 80 there. It won’t surprise you that I hit my tee shot so far OB right that it hit the roof of the maintenance shed. Never did break 80 at Cog. 40 years ago, and the memory still is vivid.


Ira

The first time I broke 80 was as a teenager on a public course in Toledo.  Same situation, but I needed a birdie 4 3 on the 18th.  So I swing for the fences and do okay, but top a 3 wood less than 100 yards from the right rough, and then another one.  Solved my putting nerves issue by holing the wedge from 100 or so.

[Mark Smolens]

Jason, I've often said the hardest thing in sports is any task that starts with, "All I have to do is......."  I once had a fellow player tell me on the 18th tee that all I needed to shoot par was a 5.  Naturally, I made a six.

Back in my teens and early 20s, I played Cog Hill 4 every Saturday with the same group. On the 18th tee on day, one of my group said “If you make 4, you will have a 78.” It would have the first time I broke 80 there. It won’t surprise you that I hit my tee shot so far OB right that it hit the roof of the maintenance shed. Never did break 80 at Cog. 40 years ago, and the memory still is vivid.


Ira

I’d need to take off my shoes and socks in order to count the number of times I’ve ruined a nice round at Dubs by hitting one right of that maintenance house (I think it’s too big to be called a shed). Of course I usually compounded that error by duck hooking my 2nd/4th into the pond.  I will say that my best round ever was shooting 74 from the blues at Dubs the day after the Western Open.  By the the rough was 8”, but I only missed 1 fwy and goy up and down 5 or 6 times from the perfectly manicured bunkers

[Tom_Doak]

In most countries apart from America, you are only grinding to beat your buddy on that day, not to set a new personal low score.  (I’m not likely to shoot 67 again in my life; does that mean I should quit??)


Beating your buddy does not require intense focus.  There are holes where you can relax, because he’s in the trees, or because he’s six feet from birdie and you aren’t about to make par. So you relax a little before the next hole.


So you can be engaged with the architecture, but nearly everyone except an architect does that one hole at a time, and most courses have several holes that are not so engaging.

[Peter Pallotta]

Joy is a great word to use/ask about in this context. 

[Carl Rogers]

An example:
Hole 14 at Dormie
I fanned the drive way right.  Flagstick in the front. 40 yard approach shot slightly down wind, exceedingly narrow target requiring a carry over a bunker.  Tight lie.


I decided to play away from the green with a low running chip shot, which I was able to pull off.  I was left a 30 foot putt, 15 feet off the green.  Easy 2 putt for a par.


What I am gratified by is that I was able to assess the conditions of play, match up my inconsistent abilities and then pull off the best shot I could.

[Steve Lang]

   Joy comes from growing, developing skills, and becoming smarter with every 18.  A little right brain input and left brain consciousness... golf is good experience, 60 years in...


... and competing in my majors, highlighted by the annual Goo Open at Ottawa Park or other rota courses around T-town!


... its certainly fun getting below or approaching par on any hole or for 9 or 18 figuring out the gca along the way, as I never saw a sucker pin I didn't like     the "others" will happen more or less as quantum events, gotta love them!

[Stewart Abramson]

My love of golf stems largely from that it takes me to an otherworldly place in the sense that I almost never think about family, work, money, or other real world issues. Some of that transporting is a function of being outside on courses that never are the same twice no matter how many times you play them. And over the past 15 years I have really enjoyed learning about and experiencing architecture. 

+1


I didn't start playing golf until my early forties. It was a time when I was working very long hours at a stressful job and had a young severely disabled child. Being able to spend four hours each week on the golf course took my mind off that for those moments, and still does, although my life is much less stressful these days. Just being out on a course almost always brings me joy. There are few sports/games where the playing fields are as beautiful, peaceful and varied.


I also get joy spending time with friends on the course and from hitting good shots. Greens in regulation, birdies and chip-ins do bring me joy.

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