Golf: the game explains itself

This archived article was written by: Katie Felice

For those who haven’t played golf before, it can seem a little overwhelming. Some people have first misconceptions saying it’s “boring” or “the only fun part is driving the golf cart.” These misconceptions could be because they have never played or understood the game. For those who are avid players or who have ever tried to golf, they would know that it is one of the most unique, challenging and greatest games ever.
The mental endurance of golf can only be understood by someone who has ever played in a competitive tournament or just a round of golf. As much as golf is a physically demanding sport, it requires a great deal of focus, strategy and composure. Of course it takes a great deal of muscle strength to make a golf swing and hit a long golf ball, but aside from that a good golfer must have a great deal of mental strength.
The ability to keep a positive attitude through the duration of a four-hour round is just as important as it is to be able to hit a good golf shot. When you are in the middle of a round of golf, whether during a tournament or just out playing and you hit a bad shot or have a bad a hole, you have to be able to let it go and move on and try your best to make up for it. 
 You have to be able to brush off the bad shots and focus to make the next shot your best. Not only do you have to focus for one shot or one hole, but you have to maintain composure for nine or 18 holes lasting anywhere from two or four hours.
Golf is a sport of etiquette and sportsmanship. It is about respect, belonging to an organization and maintaining a good attitude and relationship with your playing partners. Many rules of the game pertain to etiquette on course management and respecting your playing partners. It is about honesty and integrity and always being honest with your score. 
Arnold Palmer said, “Success depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character.”
One of the biggest ideas that separate’s golf from other sports is that the age limit is endless. Whether you are a child, a teen or elderly, you have the ability to play. It is a game that can be passed down from generation to generation. Families can go out and enjoy it together and the golf course can be a place to meet new people and acquire relationships that last a lifetime. 
 Golf is a continuously growing and changing sport. In fact GOLF is an acronym for: gentleman only, ladies forbidden. Many years ago when golf was first getting started, it was to be a sport for males only. For many years women have taken the sport into their own hands and are successful. Present day women’s golf has taken over with the LPGA and women’s teams and tournaments throughout the world. 
The No. 1 golf course destination on basically any golfers bucket list would be to play a round at St. Andrew’s Links in Ireland. Known as the “home of golf,” it is a club that holds true to the ancient traditions of golf. One of the rules was that men only could be members. Women could play on the course, but they could not be members. For the first time in 260 years, the club is now allowing women to become members. About 85 percent of the 2,500 global members of the club voted in favor of the change. 
It is a sport unlike any other; more like a lifestyle really. For anyone with doubts or misconceptions about the game, the number one way to find out about it is to try it for yourself and I promise you the power of the game will explain itself.