Cant stop playing as game improves

[golf_and_hiphop]

Has anyone else become obsessed with playing as their game improves?  I was always an okay golfer, playing a handful of times per year and always with hand me down clubs.  About 3 months ago I decided to take the game more seriously... invested in a fitting, proper clubs/shafts, and committed to playing more often.  I would say I am at the range at least twice per week, sneak in a long lunch quick 9 holes once per week, and play a full round twice per month. After feeling like I was playing better I joined a local club and NCGA and am now tracking my handicap... the only downside is now all I want to do is play!  Has this happened to anyone else?

[wkndhckr]

Sadly Yes. I was bitten by that bug last October. Now I'm playing 3x a week. I'm not fun to be around when I don't get a chance to play. If I don't score well I try to go back the next day. Keeping a handicape to track progress. It's been a long time since the thrill of a long term goal that's not work related. It's almost all I think about sometimes. 😔 I've got it bad.

[jordan2240]

I play around 2 to 3 times per week, usually at least one of which is 18 (by the way, those are some nice long lunch breaks). Part of the enjoyment is the quest to get better, with improvement coming in spurts.  Funny thing is, I had one stretch where I felt I was almost getting decent, and I actually got a little bored - so I decided to try one of the harder courses nearby, and my quest was renewed.  But I'm thinking I have a sado-masochistic relationship with the sport.  I like to beat it, but it's almost enjoyable when it beats me a bit as well.

[DArnie]

On 10/1/2020 at 10:11 AM, jordan2240 said:

I play around 2 to 3 times per week, usually at least one of which is 18 (by the way, those are some nice long lunch breaks). Part of the enjoyment is the quest to get better, with improvement coming in spurts.  Funny thing is, I had one stretch where I felt I was almost getting decent, and I actually got a little bored - so I decided to try one of the harder courses nearby, and my quest was renewed.  But I'm thinking I have a sado-masochistic relationship with the sport.  I like to beat it, but it's almost enjoyable when it beats me a bit as well.

That is the beauty of the game which we can never beat. 

[golfandtennisfan]

A very common tale. Once you get the taste you always want more. Find a great group and enjoy playing with them. Enjoy it while it lasts as life and groups inevitably change. And so it goes. Enjoy and good luck. 

[Twism86]

Then you will plateau at a certain level of play and start to get out less!  Although, two full rounds a months is pretty slow month as it is, hell, I played 36 yesterday! 

[platgof]

When your scores go the other way, you will get over it!

[jimb6golf]

Absolutely addicted to playing and tweaking my swing. Always practice swinging, checking my grip, or chipping in my yard. Then it's to the range and playing as much as possible. Feel bad if I don't grab a club and practice every day even if it's only some quick swings or a few putts. On top of that all I watch is golf, youtube golf or read about golf (WRX of course). Very addicted. Now if I could only make it a career, hmmmm.

[llewol007]

It is only a problem if you make it into one. Believe me, I have seen a couple of instances where friends spend all their time at the range or planning their next tee time or golf trip with their buddies. All sounds good until my wife is on the receiving end of married partners of those friends and she hears how the husband is tired every time he comes home on the weekend as they waited for him to finish his round with his buddies. It is great and all to be into the game as most of the people on this site have some sort of addiction golf related. Not sure what your situation is but keep it balanced and you will be fine. Im just as excited leaving for my round as I am when I get home and take my kids to the park and then some frozen yogurt. Doesnt affect my golf one bit. 

[BKN1964]

A great side-effect of being obsessed with playing is that you (potentially) stop looking at new gear and focus on scoring with what you have. 

[msg]

On 9/30/2020 at 6:37 PM, golf_and_hiphop said:

Has anyone else become obsessed with playing as their game improves?  I was always an okay golfer, playing a handful of times per year and always with hand me down clubs.  About 3 months ago I decided to take the game more seriously... invested in a fitting, proper clubs/shafts, and committed to playing more often.  I would say I am at the range at least twice per week, sneak in a long lunch quick 9 holes once per week, and play a full round twice per month. After feeling like I was playing better I joined a local club and NCGA and am now tracking my handicap... the only downside is now all I want to do is play!  Has this happened to anyone else?

 

Yup. It started around 2016 when I got better and was nearing single digit handicap.

2017 I bought a simulator and the house we had built had been specifically raised the basement to 12 feet to make room for the sim. I got a membership in 2018 and this year and played a lot. All I think about is golf. I was tracking my stats and kept on checking them and figuring out a way how to get better and better. I was at a point where my wife wanted to divorce me and I am not even kidding. I played a lot and when I am at home at down the basement either practicing or playing. Good thing, I got a hold of myself before it was too late. It was that bad. I did however got to the lowest handicap of my golfing life, but it only lasted a while. 

 

This year I think I went through 10 drivers, 3 iron sets, 2 3woods, 2 range finders, before I stopped. LOL

Edited October 13, 2020 by msg

[Roejye]

This has definitely been me this year, I started playing maybe once a week/twice a month last year. Went from not even keeping track of score to scoring around 45. This year my dad got me a membership at our preferred 9 hole course by, been playing 2-3 times per week, during height of lockdown was getting out with dad 6-7 days a week.  Got down to 18~ handicap with liberal use of mulligans, started playing well enough to be more honest, handicap ticked up a little. Just felt like everything was just slightly off, booked a lesson. We came up with a pre shot routine, and it's been helping a lot. I've gotten my handicap down to 17.7. Now winter is approaching and I'm going to lose my chance to play, but I'm going to take the opportunity to work on my overall fitness and golf swing. I'll go to a golf dome at least once a week, I'm hoping to add about 10 yards to my drives and come back in the spring ready to go.

[JDennis]

I have become that way this year. Been playing at least twice a week which is more than I ever have done.  Even in a bad round is involved, I think about what I could have done non stop and itch to get on the course again to redeem myself. 

[Justsomeguy]

This is where I am right now. I've made 3-4 key swing changes, to great effect, and I'm running my body and time ragged because the next peak is just out there.

Only problem - pesky stuff like life to take care of.

[ScottHutch2]

I am in a similar boat as OP. I was given a hand down set two years ago as my father tried to encourage me to pick up the game. i dabbled at the range with friends a few times but nothing serious. This year two of my buddies and I made a pact to take it seriously, and it has been an awesome experience. i think I am around a 15 handicap (just using an app to track, not registered) and I have become addicted to the challenge of improving myself. It has been a welcome improvement to my life

[sheppy335]

That is a normal reaction, better you play the more you want to play.

[lefthack]

Ha, I'm kind of in the same boat. I played 2 years in college, then maybe 3 or 4 rounds a year. Then I moved by a course, bought new clubs and had a baby. I was lucky to play a few times a year.

 

Since the lockdown, and now have had to limit my "extreme" hobbies, golf was the new #2. I spent $220 and redid my whole bag with the clubs I wanted but would NEVER pay MSRP for (my clubs would be $2k new, no way).

 

I have this awesome 9 hole that is $19 for 9 with a power cart, so I am playing at least once a week now and have hit the range at least once a week.

 

My game isn't quite where it was in college, but it isn't far off. My newish irons (Nike Vapor Pro Combo 4-PW) get here Friday and I'm stoked.

 

I say keep playing, keep improving. I could try the senior tour in a couple more years. 🤣

[lefthack]

I also got a net set up with a mat for the back yard and a case of foam and wiffle balls. But the rainy season in Portland has started, so that got put away.

[cardoustie]

Come and talk to me when you play 3 rounds a week and range 2 x, have 7 sets of irons and 200 shaft pulls

[Roejye]

10 minutes ago, cardoustie said:

Come and talk to me when you play 3 rounds a week and range 2 x, have 7 sets of irons and 200 shaft pulls

During height of stay at home I was playing 6 times a week, I'm not really a range guy (unless it's offseason), 4 sets of irons, but no shaft pulls. I'd say I'm well on my way lol. 

[cardoustie]

15 minutes ago, Roejye said:

During height of stay at home I was playing 6 times a week, I'm not really a range guy (unless it's offseason), 4 sets of irons, but no shaft pulls. I'd say I'm well on my way lol. 

I raise you 8 drivers, 30 fairways and 40 wedges 

[cardoustie]

It’s you, you alone, outside, against the elements, with the comraderie, on an ever changing field of play ... it’s so good when you are on ... and still a great time if you aren’t 

[Roejye]

5 minutes ago, cardoustie said:

I raise you 8 drivers, 30 fairways and 40 wedges 

You have me well and truly beat on fairways and wedges. I have honestly lost count of how many drivers I have tried. I know it isn't terribly high but it's close to yours. I am trying to calm my club ho'ing ways.

[cardoustie]

7 hours ago, Roejye said:

You have me well and truly beat on fairways and wedges. I have honestly lost count of how many drivers I have tried. I know it isn't terribly high but it's close to yours. I am trying to calm my club ho'ing ways.

 

Raise