usfan
Well-Known Member
I've been a lifelong sports addict. 'Life is a game', has been my creed since childhood.. which I've never really grown out of, evidently.
But in my mid 40s, finally realizing that old age would catch me, no matter how fast i ran, i decided to take up golf. Now, ~ 20 years later, its about the only sport i do.
So i thought some philosophical ponderings, and existential reflections would be in order, for this old traditional game.
There are 4 games in golf.. or 4 skills to acquire to score well:
1. Driving
2. Irons/approach
3. Pitch/chip greenside touch shots
4. Putting
You cannot win at golf. You can only play it.
To keep from going mad, and to minimize frustration, playing well, or poorly should both be enjoyed.
Golf can be played in a social setting, or alone, like transcendental meditation, yoga, or National Socialism.
To correlate this game to this forum: Golf is, and can be, a religion. Some live, breathe, and exist only for golf.
Golf exposes character flaws, and brings out epithets previously unheard.
A well struck shot, planned and executed, is the closest to nirvana in this life.
And now, words of wisdom from others, about this game:
“Hockey is a sport for white men. Basketball is a sport for black men. Golf is a sport for white men dressed like black pimps.” – Tiger Woods
“I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyone’s game: It’s called an eraser.” – Arnold Palmer
Golf is a good walk spoiled. ~Mark Twain
The only sure rule in golf is he who has the fastest cart never has to play the bad lie. ~Mickey Mantle
Any other philosophical musings about this metaphor for existence?
But in my mid 40s, finally realizing that old age would catch me, no matter how fast i ran, i decided to take up golf. Now, ~ 20 years later, its about the only sport i do.
So i thought some philosophical ponderings, and existential reflections would be in order, for this old traditional game.
There are 4 games in golf.. or 4 skills to acquire to score well:
1. Driving
2. Irons/approach
3. Pitch/chip greenside touch shots
4. Putting
You cannot win at golf. You can only play it.
To keep from going mad, and to minimize frustration, playing well, or poorly should both be enjoyed.
Golf can be played in a social setting, or alone, like transcendental meditation, yoga, or National Socialism.
To correlate this game to this forum: Golf is, and can be, a religion. Some live, breathe, and exist only for golf.
Golf exposes character flaws, and brings out epithets previously unheard.
A well struck shot, planned and executed, is the closest to nirvana in this life.
And now, words of wisdom from others, about this game:
“Hockey is a sport for white men. Basketball is a sport for black men. Golf is a sport for white men dressed like black pimps.” – Tiger Woods
“I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyone’s game: It’s called an eraser.” – Arnold Palmer
Golf is a good walk spoiled. ~Mark Twain
The only sure rule in golf is he who has the fastest cart never has to play the bad lie. ~Mickey Mantle
Any other philosophical musings about this metaphor for existence?