Not being snarky here, I'm genuinely curious, I don't know much about this game and I've never played beyond a bit of whacking balls on the driving range (which I soon got bored with). My question is, what is the appeal of golf?
Separate answers please for:
A - what the appeal is for a participant.
B - what the appeal is for a spectator.
And in a separate question, why is it so popular in Ireland and why does the place seem to consistently produce so many top flight players?
Can't stand the bloody stuff myself .
I see that McIllroy gasún about whom all the fuss was about seems to be rapidly going downhill.
I don't mind golf, but don't really watch a big pile of it. Its kind of relaxing though having it on in the background. Unlike rugby, I just want to kick the TV when I see that on. Can't stand that stupid game.
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on July 18, 2013, 10:23:25 PM
Not being snarky here, I'm genuinely curious, I don't know much about this game and I've never played beyond a bit of whacking balls on the driving range (which I soon got bored with). My question is, what is the appeal of golf?
Separate answers please for:
A - what the appeal is for a participant.
B - what the appeal is for a spectator.
And in a separate question, why is it so popular in Ireland and why does the place seem to consistently produce so many top flight players?
Thanks Eamonn. You have just articulated something that has been running through my head for many years. Looking forward to the answers.
Quote from: Rossfan on July 18, 2013, 10:40:31 PM
Can't stand the bloody stuff myself .
I see that McIllroy gasún about whom all the fuss was about seems to be rapidly going downhill.
Is there anything you do like?
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on July 18, 2013, 10:23:25 PM
Not being snarky here, I'm genuinely curious, I don't know much about this game and I've never played beyond a bit of whacking balls on the driving range (which I soon got bored with). My question is, what is the appeal of golf?
Separate answers please for:
A - what the appeal is for a participant.
B - what the appeal is for a spectator.
And in a separate question, why is it so popular in Ireland and why does the place seem to consistently produce so many top flight players?
A - what the appeal is for a participant.Because of the handicap system - golf is like sex. No matter how bad you are at it, you still enjoy it.
In simple terms, it is all about getting the little ball into the hole. There are lots of permutations, and everyone thinks they can play like Tiger. What brings me back week after week is the:
- personal challenge
- desire to beat my playing partners
- entertainment value of my playing partners
- the general craic
- 5 hours away from the wife
- sitting at a desk all week wrecks my shoulders (stress and all that). Swinging a golf club is a great way of relieving tension in my neck and shoulders
- fresh air
- dont need to be super fit (though you will get fit)
B - what the appeal is for a spectator.I watch it a lot on telly, but i would watch any sport - even cricket. I enjoy watching the pressure build, and seeing how the top guys cope
C - why is it so popular in Ireland Our weather, and green fields
D - why does the place seem to consistently produce so many top flight players?Perhaps it is the plethora of courses. On the other hand, we are just going through a good period
A - Golf is a good walk ruined. Hated playing it whenever I tried.
B - Top sport to watch. Beautiful setting, every dog has its day, huge potential for upsets, strong tradition (EU v the Yanks), great history/ characters (Gentle Ben, Jack, Daly).
Long slow paced easy watching for long periods often ratcheted up to high tension finishes. High skill level, thin margin of error. Tactics/ conditions influencing games.
To be honest this is all a load of shite, you have to experience your first golfing thrill to really get it. For me it was Harrington's emergence as a major winner and the Irish Open victory around that time. Real edge of the seat stuff.
I haven't even touched Ryder Cup golf which is simply a clear step above stroke play golf for entertainment.
I played golf once. Accidentally clubbed my boss around the back of the head. Never played it again.
If on the driving range, the thrill of hitting the driver to kingdom come. 200 yds for me.
Played tonight, first time in 2 years, I'm still at same standard, one par, 8 bogeys 2 dings 6 double bogeys 1 triple bogey? Something like that, playing off 28, should have been higher. But I actually enjoyed it and the amusement on their faces at my hurly swing :P
But I wont be joining clubs or societies, waste of time for me, 4 hours around the course, while the craic was mighty and slagging great I think I could do something better. I get bored around the 12th hole
Thanks for the info.
Appeal for participants?
You can always get better at golf. You can say this in any sport, but there's few if any sports in which you can so easily gauge your performance so accurately.
The handicapping system means that any two people, regardless of ability, can play a match against each other with a goal of winning.
In strokeplay/stableford, despite you often playing against a field of 100s, you aren't actually playing against any of them. You're playing against yourself. It's not other players that beat you, it's the drive you shanked, or the 3-putts you took from 10 feet.
There is so much fun in watching a drive go 300 yards. So much fun in hitting a pitch to a couple of feet. So much fun in draining a 30 foot putt. For the majority of golfers, these things are all attainable, but don't happen that often.
It's probably the only sport in the world in which the average fun player can actually play in the same arenas as the highest echelons of the sport. Some of these arenas will cost you, but some of them are surprisingly affordable.
You can play golf, within reason, for as long as you can walk. And due to the handicapping system, together with the need for a touch, you can still be competitive even after nature has slowed your athleticism down.
Appeal for spectators?
For me it's mostly about:
a) watching how some people have so much mastery over a game that is so difficult to master, but,
b) how these superstars also make, from time-to-time, the same mistakes that high handicappers make.
I also do love the way a golf tournament unfolds. Strokeplay golf is like no other sport, and it genuinely only takes one bad hole, at any time, for an odds-on favourite to tumble into the pack.
Ireland
Ireland has just under 1% of the world's golf courses. As countries go, it's awash with them.
It's actually a bit debatable if Ireland overachieve or underachieve on the international stage. At the minute we're very good (pro rata) at golf, but it was 60 years between Harrington's first major, and Ireland's previous major.
But as we've got stacks of courses, and very established routes and paths to get youngsters into the right environments, right coaching, right tournaments, the current success will continue for some time.
I played it for fun before the children were born - driving ranges, smaller courses etc.
After the arrival of the bairns it was more important/enjoyable to spend my free time with them instead of selfishly wandering around fields for four hours at a time hitting a ball with a stick. Seven years later it's still the same.
So golfers are pure cnust.
I used to laugh at golfers, then I started to play. It is 4 hours each week where my smart phone leaves me alone, no emails, no texts, no calls, no facebook...Fresh air and excercise. Competing again even if only against yourself.
Quote from: ONeill on July 19, 2013, 08:52:15 AM
I played it for fun before the children were born - driving ranges, smaller courses etc.
After the arrival of the bairns it was more important/enjoyable to spend my free time with them instead of selfishly wandering around fields for four hours at a time hitting a ball with a stick. Seven years later it's still the same.
So golfers are pure cnust.
So the wife doesn't let you out to play then? Same as me.
Quote from: muppet on July 18, 2013, 11:20:13 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 18, 2013, 10:40:31 PM
Can't stand the bloody stuff myself .
I see that McIllroy gasún about whom all the fuss was about seems to be rapidly going downhill.
Is there anything you do like?
Lots of things - not in order of preference
Everything Roscommon related ( maybe with the exception of some Councillors/Senators/TDs)
Football
Porther
The missus ( used to be women in general but ...)
the kids
Traditional music played by a Ros person
Lough Ree Lough Key Lake O'Flynn etc etc
An Ghaeilge
TG4
local GAA club's teams
Crossing any of the Shannon Bridges back into Ros
The Ballagh Rossies
Whoever bates Mayowr ...
As well as Golf I don't like Rubby, Soccer, horse racing , greyhound racing, other football teams, Cos. Layhtrum, Mayo,Galway, Politicians, Orange Order, Developers, Bankers, Country and Western music and so on.
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.
― Bob Newhart
Quote from: Rossfan on July 19, 2013, 01:40:58 PM
Quote from: muppet on July 18, 2013, 11:20:13 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 18, 2013, 10:40:31 PM
Can't stand the bloody stuff myself .
I see that McIllroy gasún about whom all the fuss was about seems to be rapidly going downhill.
Is there anything you do like?
Lots of things - not in order of preference
Everything Roscommon related ( maybe with the exception of some Councillors/Senators/TDs)
Football
Porther
The missus ( used to be women in general but ...)
the kids
Traditional music played by a Ros person
Lough Ree Lough Key Lake O'Flynn etc etc
An Ghaeilge
TG4
local GAA club's teams
Crossing any of the Shannon Bridges back into Ros
The Ballagh Rossies
Whoever bates Mayowr ...
As well as Golf I don't like Rubby, Soccer, horse racing , greyhound racing, other football teams, Cos. Layhtrum, Mayo,Galway, Politicians, Orange Order, Developers, Bankers, Country and Western music and so on.
You should get out more. Maybe even leave the black hole of Roscommon every now and then.
Quote from: Hardy on July 19, 2013, 01:44:11 PM
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.
― Bob Newhart
That's fairly good.
Quote from: Jonah on July 19, 2013, 01:45:02 PM
You should get out more. Maybe even leave the black hole of Roscommon every now and then.
I've seen a lot of the rest of the World and I wasn't impressed.
Certainly not a patch on this special place the Good Lord gave us - his Chosen People.
( Pity about some of the neighbours He gave us but i suppose ther ehas to be some pain)
It's a challenge against yourself, and against the course. You can make it a challenge against your opponent but basically your opponent is par.
Most golfers can par any hole at their regular course. Most golfers cannot par every hole at their course during a given round. Which is weird, because I know I've parred every hole at my club, and I've birdied all but 2 of them, so why can't I shoot 72? Maybe some day I will, and that's what keeps me going out. The thrill for me is to quietly watch my improvement through the mechanical, and the mental aspects of my game.
They say that golf doesn't build character. It reveals it, for better or worse.
Plus I like wearing golf shirts on casual Friday.
I like wearing them every day :D
Quote from: Applesisapples on July 19, 2013, 12:19:15 PM
It is 4 hours each week where my smart phone leaves me alone, no emails, no texts, no calls, no facebook...Fresh air and excercise.
Could do all of that if you go fishing,cycling or walking.
Nice way to relax for a couple of hours or so with good mates in good weather. Find 18 holes far too long, 9 holes just right. Would never play golf in the rain.
Still cannot get my head round this handicap system. Personally would find it humiliating to beat a much better golfer in a competition because I am so bad that my handicap drags my score up above his. Like an astro team playing a much better team with 1/2 stone weights attached to their legs to "even things up".
If you aren't good enough then you shouldn't win ................ end of.
Doesn't seem to bother alot of golf alickadoos though.
Quote from: ONeill on July 19, 2013, 08:52:15 AM
I played it for fun before the children were born - driving ranges, smaller courses etc.
After the arrival of the bairns it was more important/enjoyable to spend my free time with them instead of selfishly wandering around fields for four hours at a time hitting a ball with a stick. Seven years later it's still the same.
So golfers are pure cnust.
Eventually you will get past that stage, and the kids are too embarrassed to be seen with you and want you out of the house.
With regard to high handicappers beating low handicappers. It is only embarrassing if you are a cowboy playing off 28, when you shoudl really be off 20. Even with the handicap difference, low handicappers are generally more consistant, and I would say on average the low man tends to win.
Quote from: Rossfan on July 19, 2013, 01:40:58 PM
Quote from: muppet on July 18, 2013, 11:20:13 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 18, 2013, 10:40:31 PM
Can't stand the bloody stuff myself .
I see that McIllroy gasún about whom all the fuss was about seems to be rapidly going downhill.
Is there anything you do like?
Lots of things - not in order of preference
Everything Roscommon related ( maybe with the exception of some Councillors/Senators/TDs)
Football
Porther
The missus ( used to be women in general but ...)
the kids
Traditional music played by a Ros person
Lough Ree Lough Key Lake O'Flynn etc etc
An Ghaeilge
TG4
local GAA club's teams
Crossing any of the Shannon Bridges back into Ros
The Ballagh Rossies
Whoever bates Mayowr ...
As well as Golf I don't like Rubby, Soccer, horse racing , greyhound racing, other football teams, Cos. Layhtrum, Mayo,Galway, Politicians, Orange Order, Developers, Bankers, Country and Western music and so on.
It's not reciprocated.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on July 19, 2013, 12:35:04 AM
Played tonight, first time in 2 years, I'm still at same standard, one par, 8 bogeys 2 dings 6 double bogeys 1 triple bogey? Something like that, playing off 28, should have been higher. But I actually enjoyed it and the amusement on their faces at my hurly swing :P
But I wont be joining clubs or societies, waste of time for me, 4 hours around the course, while the craic was mighty and slagging great I think I could do something better. I get bored around the 12th hole
Always get fed up/ tired after 12 or 13 holes. Crave a few beers at theat point. Often wondeered why it was not a game with 15 holes.
Quote from: joemamas on July 19, 2013, 04:14:38 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on July 19, 2013, 12:35:04 AM
Played tonight, first time in 2 years, I'm still at same standard, one par, 8 bogeys 2 dings 6 double bogeys 1 triple bogey? Something like that, playing off 28, should have been higher. But I actually enjoyed it and the amusement on their faces at my hurly swing :P
But I wont be joining clubs or societies, waste of time for me, 4 hours around the course, while the craic was mighty and slagging great I think I could do something better. I get bored around the 12th hole
Always get fed up/ tired after 12 or 13 holes. Crave a few beers at theat point. Often wondeered why it was not a game with 15 holes.
I've often played 27 holes in a day and have played 36 a few times.
I love Golf both playing and watching. Nothing like a sunday back 9 in a major for pure sporting entertainment. Unless you are into Golf you won't understand the edge of your seat excitement one can get from watching the last round of a golf tournament.
I don't like rugby or Tennis but I can understand why someone else does.I can't understand someone not getting why someone likes a different sport though.If you just love one sport surely you can get why someone else might like another? Sport is about emotions and excitement and entertainment. All sports are the same no matter which one you happen to like.
I'm not a very good golfer.I play cack handed,can drive a ball a mile but can't pitch one a few feet to save my life.
I enjoy being out on a Golf course though whatever the weather. It's relaxing and at the same time can be frustrating as hell but always enjoyable.
My favourite thing about playing Golf is when I play with the aul fella. He is nearing 70 and I know there will come a time when he isn't around to play anymore.
I'll miss it when the time comes.
I think it boils down to those that have never played the game understanding it...
E.g. mate sitting at City Hall on Thursday with 3 others sitting near enough him that he could hear what they were talking about. The big screen had the golf on and one of the guys turned to his other mates and said - "I don't see the point to that game its easy".
So these guys clearly do not understand how hard the game actually is. To watch on tv and see pro's putting the ball a few feet from the hole time after time and hole after hole... is the envy of any amateur golfer as no matter how many times they try it 1 out of 100 might actually land a few feet from hole. It is that one shot that the amateur golfer recites to himself and his mates until the next close shot.
Its a great days craic and for those that don't get to see their mates as much as they use to it is a great way to catch up.