Why do so many men love golf?

[beebella]

I know why

I don't know why

[WindAtMyBack]

It's a sport of skill and a social thing. It's outdoors with nice scenery. A golfer once said to me that all golfers are friends. It's a networking thing.

Actually, the biggest lovers of golf that I know are women. The course is shorter for them by quite a bit. Apparently there is more strength in golf than it appears.

I have never golfed, but I tagged along with a golfer for the first time a few months ago. Just being there and watching was enough to realize why people like it. I also tried a few putts and chip shots while I was there.

[wolfcat87]

Golfing is a lot like sailing. It's a wealthy man's sport. A great way to network your way to wealth is to learn a wealthy man's sport and play it with those wealthy men regularly. My uncle started life in the ghetto and cleverly worked his way up to working from home managing retirement portfolios for companies by the time he was in his 50's. Golf was a part of that journey. He also played chess and was involved with many other sports. My husband is a boss over about 300 people, and he also plays golf. The military was a boost for both of them as well. There are just certain hot buttons you can push in life that give you an edge over everyone else, and golf is definitely one when done right.

[loveslongnails]

Bit of a misconception there. Golf isn't only for the wealthy, but that's more applicable if you want to become a pro. There are many cities with municipal courses that offer seasons passes and cheap tee times. Obviously, it's not free like outdoor tennis, basketball, handball or soccer can be, and the super nice courses are indeed pricey.

I live near a military base with a course that's open to the public. It's $25 with or without a riding cart, any time, any day. That's an all-day rate too, not just 18 holes. And then, there are courses like Pebble Beach that cost $525 for 18 holes! LOL I agree, it's a better place to get a deal done than in a conference room!

[wolfcat87]

@loveslongnails You're right that it has become more accessible to the non wealthy, but overall it's still considered a rich man's sport. It was started for the wealthy, and the wealthy are still more likely to play it. It's still not a sport easily accessible to all people everywhere far a few different reasons listed n the articles below. It's not as exclusive as something like sailing, but wealthy people and poor people are not usually playing on the same courses, with the same people, or the same amount of time. Even ignoring that it's more accessible, it's a sport preferred by the wealthy and ranks second highest median household income after skiing.

www.linkedin.com/.../why-most-times-golf-perceived-rich-people-game-winfrida-seba

www.golfspan.com/why-do-rich-people-play-golf

www.sportsdestinations.com/.../nsga-study-8221

[loveslongnails]

I'm not going to argue over perceptions, and yes, the facts are undeniable when it comes to today's game and the income required to play it. That said, its origins are still a debatable subject, though historians agree it was firmly cultivated by the Scots. There's debate that it first started in the Netherlands by Dutch farmers simply hitting stones over sand or dirt, then later moving to fields and setting up targets. They certainly weren't rich or aristocrats.

If anything, golf was definitely a very sexist game. Women simply weren't permitted to play back then. Although Mary Queen of Scots tried her hand at it in 1550's, it wasn't for another 200 years that women were known to play. The first recorded women's tournament wasn't until 1811 in Scotland - in the middle of winter!!

Thank you for your interest in golf. The pro game is about to be ruined by limiting ball flight.

[handsomelad70]

@loveslongnails It's a good boy bonding sport which requires only a modicum of fitness, though some walk the course rather than ride the cart.

[handsomelad70]

@loveslongnails Racist, too. Until VERY recenty, plenty of golf courses disallowed blacks, Jews, Hispanics and any other non-WASPS. Tiger Woods' epic 1995 Masters romp was marred by "patrons" unleashing racial slurs at Woods. The outsized expenses incurred by golfers also keep the game close to lily-white.

[loveslongnails]

@handsomelad70 All of those things are true, but keeping it white isn't why so many men like golf, unless you happen to be rich, white racists.

[handsomelad70]

@loveslongnails There are LOTS of rich (poor, middle-class) white racists. Apart from that, lots of golfers of both sexes aren't physical specimens, so in that way, it's the anti-athletic activity

[loveslongnails]

@handsomelad70 No one EVER claimed golf is an athletic sport/game, nor do you have to be an athlete to compete in it on the professional level. It helps if you are, but you don't need to be, you just need to have an exceptional golf game.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

My best guess is a combination of elitism, athleticism made extremely simple, and the fact that it always involves other guys so it’s kind of one of the few times they can have a sense of camaraderie like girls do

[loveslongnails]

Here are some reasons:
* Golf is the only game in which you do not play against a mortal foe - it's just you and the elements, so there is no team to blame for performance, just yourself. * It's extremely challenging - men like challenges.
* You can drink alcohol while you play.
* There's an opportunity to spend a lot of fun time with your buddies.
* You can wager on your own ability.
* The scenery is often quite beautiful.
* Unlike bowling, where you can attain a perfect score, no one can or ever will make a perfect score in golf.

* And the least likely reason - it teaches you a lot about yourself, especially the parts you don't want to know about.

[katiesmuff]

As a life long Floridian my father had me on a golf course by 8 years old and I have been playing the game ever sense and love it. My now husband also loves the game which makes it nice for us to spend some fun time together.
Your description of Golf is a perfect example of what it is all about.

[loveslongnails]

@katiesmuff Thanks. People either get it or they don't. Most of what you need to know in life, you can learn on a golf course by playing with others or by yourself.

[Anonymous]

I would never watch golf in a million years. It's boring as hell to watch. But I love to play it for several reasons. It is severely annoying and challenging -- If you are playing with a group of guys and you aren't total shit -- they are going to be impressed because they too know how difficult it is to be any good. But, why do I actually like it?

1. Golf is like going for a relaxing walk outside, but your also getting a break from your woman, playing a sport, drinking beer, and hanging out with friends at the same time. What more can a guy ask for? Hahaha

2. It is impossibly challenging. It will teach you to keep your cool when things aren't going well.

3. Business networking. More money has been made on the golf course than the board room, ten times over.

Look... I also do Jiu Jitsu and Kick Boxing. I can drive 340 yds, so physicality makes a difference, but that's not what golf is about. So sure, you can make fun of the fat bloke and his putter, but that's one of the lessons of Golf, you can make up just as many points by sinking a 4 ft put as you can by driving 340 yds instead of 200 yds. This is an analogy for life: mind the details, perfect the close, make the short game routine. And when you blow it, and get off in the rough, or have to traipse through the woods only to find your shot obstructed by a tree, be capable of getting out of bad situations, knowing you can make it up on the next hole.

[Anonymous]

Different people have different reasons. And not just men, I know a good number of women who love it as well, including some of my most frequent golf buddies.

It can be done alone, it can be done with friends, or it can be done with completely random people. All of those can be very enjoyable.

For me, there are some good, very affordable courses nearby, so it can actually cost less than many other sports. It's outdoors at a relaxed pace, combined with a long walk for those who choose to walk instead of using a cart. Going that way, it's great exercise – I've walked 8-9 miles up and down hills some days, hauling a 20-ish pound bag the whole way!

It's a good way not to "clear" my mind so much, but to actually refocus my mind on a specific challenge. Every shot has a strategy, a risk/reward decision. If I just made a bad shot, it's about setting that aside and smartly recovering from it. It has been a truly welcome, needed distraction during some very stressful times – just going out there at the end of the day, when there's nobody else around, and listening to the still air, the trees, the birds, while enjoying this game, taking in a sunset, until it's too dark to keep going.

There's also just nothing like the feeling of the way that contact feels when you hit an iron absolutely pure – and it takes off with perfect flight.

[HawkPerception]

I don't. When I played soccer competitively, "Go play golf" was used as an insult. I'm not saying golf doesn't take skill. I know it does because I tried swinging a club a couple times and it's actually pretty difficult if you have no clue wtf you're doing. But golf is definitely an old man or rich sport. It's one of the few sports you can be fat as hell and it will have no effect on your performance because it doesn't require physical endurance of any sort. Not many people even have the opportunity to practice it when they're younger because it's rich sport. And to top it off, there's a reason people play golf for business trips. It's one of the few sports you can just chill, walk around and talk as you play. I have no love for it, nor will I ever see any hype in golf. Now if we're talking about soccer, volleyball or ping pong, those are hella fun. My favourite is soccer tennis, but I don't really have anyone I can play with because it requires a lot of skill 😅

[Peter_Penetrator]

A lot of young people play as well. Not just the Old Farts. It ain’t like Caddyshack. You don’t have to be wealthy either. Like a lot of other hobbies, you must spend to enjoy. Think of the medical bills incurred by elementary, junior high and high school football players or the cost of that protective equipment. Public courses have lower fees and are open to everyone. Once you have your set of clubs, gloves and shoes, then you are just basically buying balls and tees and that isn’t very often. If you’re an avid golfer, you’re pretty much going to be gifted the balls and other nick knacks. I have watched many broke ass rednecks spend more money on alcohol, cigarettes and dip, than on supporting their hobby.

[genericname85]

no idea. i don't feel that way but here's my guess:

men have more testosterone. that's why men are more eager to get into competition. they love fighting. low income men will typically get into some sort of physically demanding sport like soccer, football, rugby, martial arts and such.

the more old and/or wealthy men get, the more they valuable their health and bodily integrity gets to the, cause with no money in the world could they ever restore that. so the previously mentioned sports are not viable anymore as they conflict with that priority.

so that's where golf comes in. you can still satisfy your urge for competition in a sophisticated and chill environment that is minimally physically threattening to your health and bodily integrity.

[Peter_Penetrator]

Opportunity to drink lots of beer. Great exercise if golf carts aren’t allowed. It can be a great networking opportunity and somewhere that business can be done, deals can be made. Or simply wagering on club strokes per hole. An 18 hole golf game can last many hours. Followed by the 19th hole. Then you have nighttime golf games involving candles and glow sticks.

[TadCurious]

Bella I think it's partly because it gets them outside with their buds. And it's a very challenging game to play. It's not easy to hit that little ball and make it go where you want it to.
⛳ 😊

[lightbulb27]

it challenges their focus and physical skills at once. the better you get, the more difficult it gets. it's also competitive w other high level people.

or maybe they just enjoy walking around in the woods?

[Fuentes]

What men? Old men now I know what type of caliber of men u been talking to too lol

[beebella]

I don't talk to anybody, Fuentes. 😂

[Fuentes]

Lol what makes u think a majority of men like golf then? Hahahhaa

[beebella]

I grew up around a bunch of men that like to golf. 😆

[Fuentes]

Lol u mean OLD MEN right lol theirs a difference hahaha

[beebella]

If you say so. 😂

[Fuentes]

U been caught red handed lolol

[NYCQuestions1976]

A lot of business deals are done during rounds of golf.

[Fuentes]

@NYCQuestions1976 by OLD MEN hahahaha

[NYCQuestions1976]

@Fuentes Many of them are, but not always. You'd be surprised.

[ShadezMcgee]

Not so much a liking of it, but more of a way to get outside and play a game with your boys and throw back some beers for fun. That is the main appeal.

[spartan55]

@beebella 🐝 From someone who completely sucks at golf, I like it for the social aspect. The hanging out with the guys, maybe some beers, enjoying whatever course we are on etc.

[Apple1996]

It's a low energy sport and gets them out of the house with their friends. Seems nice tbh I should get into golf when I'm old

[MasseurDeMojo]

Most men see gulf as an easy game to play with friends, and just relax in the sun. They also see it as a way to network and have fun. You can get out a lot of aggression and anger on the golf course.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

I often hear this unfunny joke from guys:

Gentlemen

Only

Ladies

Forbidden

[katiesmuff]

I've been playing golf since I was a little girl out with my dad and now 30 years later still playing the game.

It's a peaceful game where you are challenging yourself

[molonski2]

Because , its an incredibly difficult sport that is never truly mastered , I've been playing golf since I was 9 years old , and at one point I played everyday for 8 years , its a great sport.

[DaveJord]

Because it's a whole day basically that you can spend on a golf course clear your mind get away from work, and avoid being home and getting nagged at.

[Dargil]

*To get out of the house and kids without The Third Degree from the Mrs.
*To get some fresh air, sunshine and exercise.
*To network with friends and associates.

[DJB72]

It's a game where guys chase small balls because we're too old or out of shape to chase anything else.

[DarkWinterNights]

Same as fishing, it’s overly male dominated so it allows them to escape and hang out with their buddies, BS around, drink and relax.

[exitseven]

Probably to get away from their wives and to get drunk afterwards