“Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.”
– Arnold Palmer
Today was scheduled to be my first round of the season, however as any Canadian golfer knows, weather in Canada can be unpredictable. Fortunately it’s not snow that cancelled my round, something we saw in late April, but instead, 8 straight hours of rain will keep me off the course. I still managed to get an hour session in on the golf net in my apartment, but rather than write about that, I’m going to discuss why I chose golf as my focus for summer 2023.
Golf is a great mix of all my favourite aspects of life; time outside in the sun, four hours of time with close friends and family, it’s competitive, challenging both mentally and physically, and I can’t think of many other sports where drinking while you play is practically encouraged. With all of those factors, how could I not choose golf?!
First, Canadian summers are notoriously short, spanning just three months from June through August, with the golf season only expanding slightly beyond that, permitting play in May and September. Many Canadians endure the bitterly cold and snowy winters dreaming of the time they’ll spend outside when summer mercifully arrives. Golf is one activity that ensures you’ll receive a healthy dose of Vitamin D.
Second, golf is a highly social game. Often played with three friends or family, it is one of the few occasions where people put their phones away and just spend time together. My dad is a huge golfer, so a focus on my game guarantees we will play at least 10 rounds together this summer, allowing for 10 hours spent together distraction-free. Additionally, most of my friends golf, and as many begin to get married and have children, is often one of the few ways to get four of us together for an afternoon of laughs.
Third, golf is a competitive game that can be played by virtually anyone. With a handicap system, golf ensures that novice players and professionals can play together and still have a way to make it competitive. I cannot think of another sport where even with a major disparity in skill level, two people can enjoy a competitive game that goes right down to the wire.
Fourth, golf is challenging both mentally and physically. While the physical demands are obvious; hitting a small ball with a long club with a club face barely larger than the ball into a small hole located 500 yards away creates an interesting physical challenge. It is the mental demands, however, that really draw me in. 90% of golf is played between the ears, making it a great way to practice mental discipline. For me, my temper has always been my Achilles heel, and nothing brings it out quite like a shank into the water when you’re having the round of your life. Golfs blend of mental and physical demands make it a great avenue for improving both mentally and physically.
Finally, I’d be remiss to gloss over the drinking aspect. Golf practically encourages having beers with friends and family in the sunshine, whether its an 11AM or a 4PM tee off. Further, the ‘golf trip’ has gained popularity, especially since COVID, which often entails 10+ friends travelling to spend a weekend away drinking and golfing, far away from life’s responsibilities. With one golf trip planned for late May and another in the works for the fall, there will be plenty of laughs and lost balls shared with friends.
All in all, golf is a great way for me to spend time outdoors with friends and family this summer, challenge myself both physically and mentally, and maybe enjoy a few beers while I do it. It is for these reasons that I’ve decided to dedicate myself to the game this summer. Let’s just hope there aren’t too many more rainouts.
Breaking Ninety 