Golf is a sport that many people might struggle to see the appeal of, while to others, it might be one of the few sports that entices them at all. The slow, calmer nature of the game is certainly a trait that is quite unique among sports, especially the more popular candidates that often feature roaring crowds and a great deal of anticipation regarding the results of tournaments and matches. That’s not to say that golf doesn’t feature those things, just that it might require a shift in perspective if you’re trying to get into it.
There are many strong reasons to get into golf; the fact that it’s outdoors, there are famous courses all over the world, there is a vital social element involved, and you can get fit and healthier with a lot of exercises – all of which is low impact so that there is no bar or entry level of fitness which you need to attain.
You could start tomorrow and go on for decades if it appeals to you. That raises the question, what can you do to get into golf? You might find that it has a lot to offer you once you get over the initial hurdle and start playing.
Test the Waters
The most straightforward way to see if golf is for you is to play it for yourself. In some ways, golf differs from many sports by being much more focused on player involvement. Many people who are into golf are into it for the experience of playing it themselves rather than watching professionals climb the ladder.
That’s not exclusively true, of course, as there is a substantial interest in professional golf, but you don’t need to worry that you might not enjoy golf simply because you don’t enjoy watching other people play. There are many reasons to watch professional golf if you get into the sport (technique being the main one), but many people who enjoy playing it as a game have no interest in watching other people play.
Playing it yourself might illuminate the primary source of interest for many. It is a wonderful opportunity to get out in the fresh air and all the benefits that it brings – many people put stock in the idea that the calming nature of golf is something that can help to reduce stress, potentially proving advantageous to your mental health as well as your physical.
If you want to play golf yourself, or at least give it a go, you should try to approach a club or fitness center near you. To get the most out of the experience, it would be a good idea to sign up for a few lessons for beginners.
This way, you have someone who knows what they’re doing and loves the game to show you how to start, rather than ambling around a course and not having much fun because you aren’t even sure which club to use. Use a borrowed or rented set of clubs to begin with until you’re sure that this is the sport for you.
Watch Some Games
On the other side of the coin, you have the approach of getting into the golf sphere by simply watching games unfold. This might be a new experience for you, and it’s important to set your expectations, as coming in from a different sport might lead you to be somewhat surprised at how different the experience of watching golf can be. Still, it’s worth a go to see if it’s for you.
There is overlap between other sports, like football or basketball, though, such as how they are all subjects of online sports betting at sites like Unibet or the interest in following a particular golf player – but the ways in which those similarities present themselves might just help to further showcase the subtle differences of being a fan of different sports.
There are many ways to approach watching games – you can either follow a large tournament, or you can follow a player and their career – either way, you can increase your interest in the game. Have a little research online to see what is being played and where. You might even find a bit of advice on who the most exciting players to watch are.
Watching the game will give you a good insight into the rules and different playing styles (even a helping hand as to which clubs to use!). You will also get to see some of the most amazing courses and scenery around the world – if you need any encouragement to go try them out for yourself!
The Digital Option
As with many other sports, though, golf is a popular candidate for digitization, finding itself with multiple video games across many different platforms. While perhaps not as popular as examples like the FIFA series, you don’t have to look far to see golf games that might help you get your foot in the door.
For example, there is a similar yearly series produced by EA in much the same way as football, but you might find that the interests of you and your friends instead lie with the Switch Sports version, which can provide a more casual and accessible point of entry for non-fans.
It might not seem an obvious path to get into golf, but if you decide you want to pick up the game during a bout of horrible weather or when there are no tournaments on, then it can make sure you keep your enthusiasm during a bit of a low period for the game. It’s certainly great to keep up alongside starting to play yourself.
Your previous experience with sports might dictate which path you’d rather take, but it’s important to be aware of all your options if you feel as though you’re struggling to connect with a new sport the way you normally would.
Ultimately you won’t know if you enjoy golf as a hobby without picking up a club at one point or another – but actually playing the game is just one hobby; watching golf and gaming are two others that you can do but are still focused on the game.
Sumayya Parrish, a golf aficionado and wordsmith extraordinaire, brings her wit and wisdom to the fairways of FloridaEliteGolfTour.com. Known for her uncanny ability to turn a bogey into a birdie with her humor, she serves up engaging content that keeps readers chuckling even when their golf game has them crying.
