The Case for Golf
I recently read Daniel Frank’s The Case Against Golf. It was a good piece with some animated GIFs that I enjoyed. Frank highlighted some of the logical reasons to avoid golf altogether. His basic arguments:
- Golf costs too much.
- Golf is difficult to learn and requires constant practice.
- Golf is time-consuming.
- Golf makes people angry.
Six years ago, I think I could have written the same piece, but with some additional fervor.
So why I am taking time to write the case for golf? Because I had a unique change of heart. Here’s the backstory:
I grew up in a city with high poverty rates. It’s safe to say that golf wasn’t a part of my childhood.
Eventually I grew a bit, graduated from high school and headed off to a small college in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The campus was surrounded by mountains and open land. It was a game-changer. I realized that I didn’t love city life as much as I thought I did.
There were several golf courses near the campus, and during my four years higher education, I had the opportunity to play golf a few times. I wasn’t good, but the athlete/competitor in me enjoying being with friends and trying to string together a decent round.
Fast forward into full blown adulthood.
I graduated from college, got married, took a “real” job and started a family. My career of choice happened to be a stressful one, so I poured my youthful energy into that job for six years before making a transition. My genius idea was to build a miniature golf course in my community.
Ideas like easy money, seasonal hours and low maintenance flooded my imagination. This was going to be the career everyone dreams of.
Unfortunately, buying land in a desirable location and then constructing the course fell way outside of my budget constraints.
The solution? I signed a lease on a par 3 golf course that had just closed.
From 2013–2020, I worked tirelessly to turn this neglected course into a community gem. Every year, as course conditions improved, I watched more and more people show up. Keep in mind, golf has never really been part of my DNA.
Women would play a morning round to connect with friends. Guys would compete with each other after a long day of work. Dads would bring their kids and let them hit golf balls into the oblivion. High schoolers would roll over after school. Grandparents would entertain their grandkids while trying to instill some etiquette. The crowds were diverse, but the smiles were uniform.
All in all, my par 3 course was a unifying factor that brought joy (or at least healthy outdoor time) into people’s lives.
So back to Daniel Frank’s The Case Against Golf.
- Not all golf has to be expensive. I committed to rates of $6-$9 per round (juniors and seniors got a discount). I didn’t get rich off of this experiment, but I was able to pay the bills and feed my family.
- Not all golf has to be time consuming. Our par 3 course required less than 45 minutes to play. I am a big advocate for par 3 and executive courses. They require a much smaller time commitment and still offer the fresh air and sunshine that all of our bodies need.
- Not all golf has to be frustrating. Like any experience, golf is what you make of it. I met many “golfers” along the way who knew they weren’t good. They came out to hit a few balls or hang out with a more talented friend. There was no illusion that someday they were going to go on tour.
Most pointed critiques of golf are based on negative country club experiences. I understand the criticisms — many of which are fair — but golf at its core offers so much more than an empty wallet and a bad taste in your mouth.
I’ve seen the possibilities firsthand.
