Started golfing when I was 17 and spent about 4 years obsessed (including starting in a PGM program to become a teaching pro, but didn’t finish), then a good 4 years off, and then the next ten years varied (living in Japan for a year and then South Korea for 6 years was the main culprit of the inconsistency, although I did get really into Screen Golf in Korea). Have really jumped in with both feet the past six months and got my handicap back down to 5.4, will shoot between mid 70’s to low 80’s depending on the course.
I’ve reached a happy medium with golf where I can take it seriously, keep score, and try to improve without stressing myself out about it. In this state, golf is simply perfect. Walking outside, getting exercise, with a specific (but always changing) goal. The game is all your own, but you can still be social with it and everywhere you go is different. No other sport has that.
I’ve been living in Los Angeles (La Crescenta) and play the LA city courses most often, Hansen Dam most likely counting as my home course just for distance. Yes, they are munis, but they’re good munis and very playable.
Best thing here is obviously the year-round golf. I suppose the courses get a bit packed, but playing as a single with a players card for advance reservations and tending towards the twilight times means I never have a problem getting out. Honestly no negatives out here for me.
I work in Learning & Organizational Development for a technology firm focused on the construction industry. I’m also looking at starting up some content creation (YouTube etc) focusing on the mental side of golf and mindfulness in the game.