As with any sport, golf has its problems and little displeasures that can make the game less amusing to watch or play. This is even more annoying for golfers as most of these issues go over the heads of those who don't play golf.
Trying to explain basic golf concepts to a non-golfer is difficult. Trying to explain what a 110-yard wedge to within five feet is can be trickier.
This guide highlights six problems golfers go through every time they are on the course. If you’re an ardent fan of golf, stick on. You might learn something or two. Let’s dig in!
Talk of Tempered Playing Partners
There’s something about golf that brings out the utter worst in people. This is significantly worse for those people who have relatively bad tempers.
Just like children who are told they cannot have a specific toy, many golfers go through a stage of irritability.
In most cases, it is unexplainable and uncomfortable for the other team members.
The solutions to your golf problems start with you – by working on your emotional balance first.
Throwing your golf club isn’t tough, and screaming your lungs out to everyone doesn’t take away the fact that your shot was poor. You need to understand one thing: it is part of the game.
More Lessons, No Improvements
The number one issue golfers have in golf lessons is that they often make you play worse before playing like a pro. However, you shouldn’t take this as an opportunity to miss your lessons.
Taking golf lessons is vital if you want to improve your skills. But, that phase of unfamiliarity with a swing can change.
This means you can feel alien and strange, and most golfers will go back to their former ways because it feels comfortable.
The best advice is to follow your lessons religiously. You also need to accept that your results on the course could get worse before they get better.
Feeling Nervous
Being nervous is a natural part of human identity. Our emotions have helped us survive for centuries, but they’re not always helpful for playing golf.
In most cases, we tend to feel nervous because something is essential and valued by us. For example, to show others how competent we are in golf.
However, the outcome is uncertain. On your first tee, you might feel nervous because you want to land the ball on the fairway.
The problem is you’re not confident if you can execute the skill as you would like to do so.
This means that you worry that those around you might suggest you’re not a ‘good golfer’.
The best advice on your first tee is to pick the club that offers you the best chance of landing the ball on the fairway.
Slow Play
Slow play is known to cause issues in golf. No one enjoys waiting on every tee for any group to discuss each of their shots before leaving the green.
This can be bad, especially if it’s hot or rainy outside. It isn’t enjoyable having to spend six hours on a round that should take three hours on the only off day you have in a week.
Even though golfers joke about slow play a lot, people are trying to solve this issue. Ideally, no one wants to play with a golfer who marks their ball on the course several times per putt.
Or someone who has to step away countless times to check their line.
Leaving Equipment Behind
Every golfer can attest to this. Whether it’s leaving a club by a green or a utility piece falling off the bag, this can impact your performance.
You might be lacking that piece when you need it next.
Additionally, you’re coupled with the fear that it could also be stolen. The bottom line is to keep track of all your equipment.
Losing Golf Balls
The official time for looking for a ball is five minutes. Yes, that’s all you get.
So, if someone spends 15-20 minutes walking through the thick grass, things can get infuriating very fast. Sometimes, you’ll need to take your L and admit your golf ball is lost so that people can continue with the round.
Consider playing a provisional off tee if it looks like a ball is heading out of view to save everyone’s time.
And there you have it!
Top six problems every golfer goes through, although there are always more. Some golfers blame their clubs for a poor shot – another classic example of bad workman syndrome.
Golf players need to take responsibility for their poor shots. Even though all your equipment might need an upgrade, there are chances that a poor shot comes from a poor swing or an inexperienced player.
Photos: Shutterstock
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