Mixed Feelings towards Golf

Our summer vacations in Toronto, Canada always seem like summer camps for tennis and golf. Golf ranks the last in interest level in all sports we play. We practice at the driving range on weekends and seldom play on the course. But when we are in Toronto, we hit the course a few times.

I always had a bit attitude towards golf. A 9-hole game takes about two hours and 18-hole takes half a day. In terms of exercise, golf loses to an hour’s aerobics or swimming. In terms of fun, golf loses to skiing. In terms of relaxing in nature, golf loses to hiking and skiing, which really put you in pure untouched nature. I still view golf in these frames.

In the past, when K practiced at the driving range, I would bring a book to read. When he finished, we would go to the Japanese supermarket next door to get some grocery together. I tried a few swings with his clubs. It was not as easy as it looked. The balls were flying left and right without distance. Not being able to hit the balls far and straight feels like being defeated by the little ball. But I still think it as a quite boring sport.

Then one day I was thinking about what sports I could do when I want to get pregnant some time in the future. I had to give up all my sports because they all involve too much workout. But I’d like to always remain active. Maybe golf and swimming will be appropriate sports for pregnant woman and new Mom? I consulted with professional opinions. My guess was right. So I decided to learn them in advance ☺ (For swimming, I had more motivations though.)

I took a group lesson, and bought a set of clubs. After learning the basic form, I could see improvement in my swings. When I had a good one, I felt a sense of power. Such moments built up interest, and I’d practice together with K at the range on weekends.

Playing on the course and practicing at the range are very different. At the range, it was almost purely physical training on the form. On the course, it was more than the physical swings, I could understand and agree with the talks I heard before about the connection between golf and management and life. Golf may not be an very efficient sports, but it is a good game for the brain and mind.

I still don’t have a strong desire to play on the course and improve. And for things I am not super interested, I am usually not good at them. My swings lack consistency in straightness and power. At this stage, I'd better achieve consistency at the range before spending more time on the course.

I’ve met many 80-year-old hiking and skiing lovers, and hope I can do the same when I reach that age. So I certainly don’t think older people should limit themselves to “softer” sports. But I always say to K, “For golf, let’s get more serious about it when we are older. Now, while young, let’s focus on more physically demanding, more fun and exciting sports.”

Golf is not as exhilarating and thrilling, but it excels in feasibility: No season limit -- you can play it almost all year round. Even on rainy and snowy days, you can practice at the range; No location limit-- almost every city has a few golf courses and ranges; Safe-- low risks of injury. And small injuries if at all. If one values these characteristics and its good exercise on the brain and mind, go golfing!