I love this site with all of the tips and help and knowledge that is spread through it. But every once in a while i think about this. I remember watching golf back when Jack and Arnie were youngsters and i always knew i wanted to play but until later in life never got the chance. Golf has evolved so much since then with new clubs, balls and other equipment. Launch monitors, video training and we could go on. Now i may be off line with this but i will talk about it anyways. Does anyone think that sometimes we get too involved with the thinking part, how we did on those last shots, how we could have made that putt better and so on, that we miss enjoying the round. Especially for us weekenders. As for myself, i love the game and i go out to have a great time. But i will admit there have been times that i have done just that and knew that i missed enjoying that round somewhat. Again this is just my opinion but i am just curious if anyone else has felt that way at all.
I enjoy analyzing and reflecting on my game so this isnāt really an issue for me.
Well I guess Iām a split personality since I like both ā I very much like to just play golf, but as an overly analytical enthusiast I also really enjoy checking into a forum like this and talking about it!
Technology has made the the game harder to compete but easier to play. The tools that you talk about are there for improvement and people like us online talking about it.
I love to watch Shells wonderful world of golf and watch Gene Sarazen, and the old timers play. It looks like the are whacking their putts. It really shows how the game has changed. Even the spectators!
I like to have a mix of both myself. The technology helps me try and compete with the talent that has evolved from said devices. I like to bounce ideas off of people but also remember to be having fun and enjoy the tradition of golf. Itās kind of a line you have to draw yourself and see where you are at.
Ditto! I started playing much more recently ā¦ so thatās all literally history to me ā¦ but I also enjoy watching the āold guysā 
that helped build the foundations of the game weāre playing today.
Haha Hogan and Snead playing for $3,000 winner, $2,000 loser . Gotta love it!
I think you bring up a good point and this is an issue I try to help golfers solve. I mostly want all of you to enjoy yourselves while you play. I do think there are productive ways to add in the more analytical parts of improvement to your game without robbing you of your enjoyment. But it can be a difficult balancing act sometimes!
Yes and one of the things i have been trying to do before my round, since reading the mindset articles is reminding myself how beautiful it will be just being on the course. Reminding myself that i am here to enjoy it and no matter what score i shoot, it will not effect anything in my life unless i allow it to. Tomorrow will be a new day and there will always be opportunities to improve but i keep myself remembering that is it something i choose to spend my time doing so just go out and enjoy every part of it. So far it has been helping out. I am taking one hole at a time and letting what happened go and just move on.
Well said! We could all use that mindset when we tee off
I love learning about all aspects of the game and thinking and tinkering and improving. I know some donāt like that, but I do! I love being outside, with great people, hitting great shots, and putting together good rounds. The pure joy of striking one solid is unbeatable! And analyzing and trying new things helps me hit better shots and play better golf. To each their own!
Practice time is when I do all my analyzing and tweaks etc.
I put all of that out of my mind when I play. I try to focus on being out on a beautiful course, being with my friends, and just enjoying the " me time".
Iām the primary caregiver for my dad, so I donāt get a lot of free time. I enjoy every minute when I play, even the sh*tty shots.
As others have said you can both enjoy golf and trying to improve at golf. For me, I get as much enjoyment trying to improve as I do playing the game. There is also a third aspect, playing tournaments. That is its own world.
More power to you. I did the same thing for both of my parents. I know how draining that can be at times so the course is definitely one place to just let loose and enjoy the walk. As i have said, there is nothing better than to be on a course on a beautiful day. Its as if while you are there, you have no worries at all. Best of luck with your father.
Thanks, Iāll never regret this time with him, and he loves hearing my post- round reports!
That is truly the special part of it right there.
Yes, when getting frustrated over a badly hit shot. Taking a few deep breaths, and either using the same club or substituting another that has been working, seems to help, BUT I need to be more āmindfulā and relax. And be aware of the beauty of nature around me. Otherwise, the āmentalā part ruins the rest of the hole for me!
I really love pretty much everything about the game. I enjoy the practice, playing, building clubs, watching golf; analyzing stats, and everything in between. Like many others I do have a tendency to start to live and die by my score and miss the good parts. It can be difficult to āstay in the momentā and enjoy it just like in life. This is the area of the game where I would like to improve the most. Sometimes I have to step back and think āI get to play golfā, āI get to walk 18 holesā, āI get to spend time with good friendsā and even āI GET to hit crappy golf shotsā because there are times in my life where I canāt do that.