If you could go back in time would you tell yourself not to take up golf?

[RP40]

"So if you could go back in time, would you warn your younger self, not to get the golf bug?"

 

To answer this I have to trace back to my childhood, and the first time I purred a ballata in the schoolyard with a persimmon 3-wood - after a buddy and I had stolen his dad's clubs from the garage one afternoon - and watched as it soared into a cloudless blue sky. ... And to steal a line from Tin Cup, felt it in my loins.

Hell, I was 11 or 12, and I didn't even know what I was feeling, and I wanted to do it again.

A few months later my great uncle, who'd long since retired, after finding out of my misbegotten golfing adventure, gifted me a 9-iron and putter he'd gotten out of the miscellaneous club barrel at the country club - and upon presenting them to me, said, "Treat the game right, and it's one that can last you a lifetime."

Like what seemed like most kids of my generation, pre-video games, I grew up outdoors playing - and sports, regardless the season, occupied our days after school. Starting with kickball in the playground, to soccer, and football, and baseball, and basketball, and tennis - and yes, golf - I was playing some game/sport from gradeschool through high school and into college and afterwards.

But as I grew older, and the requirements of life demanded more of me, slowly over time I had to give up all those other games because I either could no longer compete and/or the risk of injury was too great a risk on my livelihood.

And always, my old friend - golf - kept calling to me.

As I've gotten older yet, those words my great-uncle told me keep ringing in my ears.

Now, could I have made time to have done more with my life had I never touched a club? Sure. ... I also could have done much less, but I have no regrets.

And I am still seemingly in search of the feeling of that first purely struck 3-wood.

[doctormizuno]

I would never have said No to golf. It’s a sport for a lifetime. For those of you that said Yes, and are still

young, what are you going to do for a hobby at 75-80. I believe that golf will extend your life, keep you

social and get you out in the fresh air. When you’re young, for some, it’s all about golf and the score.

Just to throw out a number, maybe 70% golf 30% social. As you start getting older, don’t get me wrong,

I like to hit good shots and post a good score. But, as I have gotten older the %’s have definitely shifted.

[pat_kato]

I wish I would have taken up golf sooner.

[aramirez24]

Biggest golf regret is not listening to my dad my freshman year of highscool when he suggested I try and play. I'm reminded every afternoon when I see the team practicing at my home course for free. Also a brother in law who gets to travel all over and has met an incredible amount of people at only 15.

[Sean2]

That is really good to hear...now about that avatar...

[QuigleyDU]

I think if I could, I would go back and tell my self not to play football and play more competitive golf as a kid.

[disco111]

Would I go back and tell myself not to play golf?..................Darn sure would...........It's a stupid game, it's time consuming, it's exspensive, it's frustrating to the ength degree...............Hold on got to answer the phone................................................

OK I'm back and have to go, we have a tee time in 45 minutes....................Da*m stupid game................Now where did the wife hide my new putter?

[HackDaddy360]

Nope - I’d do it all over again. I went 5 straight years where there wasn’t a day I didn’t hit a golf ball in my teens. I put in my 10,000+ hours. It was fun. I got derailed and hurt and then lost interest - wish that had never happened.

Golf is more than a game. It teaches you so many lessons that are applicable to life, business, relationships - everything.

So I would do it all over again. Without a doubt.

Dont forget - if it weren’t golf, you’d just be doing something else. And then maybe one day saying “if I hadn’t been doing xxxxx thing I could have been really good at golf.” ?

[Justsomeguy]

My neck and back injuries would have something to say about this...

[Kaysquare]

I would've started playing golf much earlier, but girls weren't into golf when I was a teen. I was into volleyball, softball & water skiing. Golf is hard, especially if you're over 50 when you begin playing..