A quick 9 holes after work or the first tee time on a Saturday morning. There’s just nothing quite like the game of golf.
But for many golfers out there, what starts as a new hobby, becomes a full-blown addiction to the game.
I’ve been obsessed with the game of golf for as long as I can remember. There’s certainly worse addictions you can have, but it’s an addiction nonetheless.
Perhaps you might be thinking you’re in the same boat as me. If so, here’s a look at a few reasons why you might be addicted to golf.
Founder, Editor
Ed is the founder and editor at EEE Golf. He’s been playing golf for over 20 years, competing in many top amateur events. He’s played courses all over the world and played with some of the best players in the game. His aim is to help educate people about the game of golf and give insights into the sport he loves most.
Signs You’re Addicted To Golf
Practising Imaginary Swings
If you’re the type of person who will stop at a mirror when you’re out and about and work on a few of your swing angles, you’re probably a little obsessed with golf.
Regularly practising your golf swing without a club, whether at home or in public places, whilst it’s a great way of improving, it’s also a sign you’re addicted to the game.
Just make sure you don’t get caught by your mates.
Watching Golf All the Time
For most golf fans, they’ll tune into the big events like the majors and perhaps watch a few hours of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour a week.
But if you’re the kind who only needs one channel on their TV, the golf channel, you’re probably addicted to golf.
And when you haven’t got it on the TV, you’re scrolling through social media watching every single Rick Shiels video to try and pick up a new tip.
Indifferent to Weather Conditions
If you’re teeing it up come rain or shine, snow or sleet, it sounds like you might have a golf addiction.
Playing golf in any weather, including harsh conditions, shows a strong dedication to the sport, unlike a normal golfer.
Mr Remembers Every Shot
As golfers, we all hit the odd good shot which we love to tell our mates and family about occasionally.
But some golfers take that one step further and describe their whole round to anyone who is stuck with them in the clubhouse.
Don’t be that guy. No one cares about your round as much as you do.
You’re obsession with golf is losing you friends at the club.
Frequent Equipment Updates
If you’re caught up each year with the latest marketing campaign from the big club brands and you’re investing your cash into their new equipment in the hope of gaining a slight edge, you’re probably addicted to golf.
If you’re not buying the equipment, you’re on the range testing clubs hoping to find a new driver.
New golf clubs won’t fix that slice and just because Rory McIlroy has added it to his bag doesn’t mean you need new pro golf equipment.
Dressing to Impress
There’s always that one guy at the golf club who thinks they’re Ian Poulter, wearing the brightest clothes and the loudest patterns.
They’ve seen the top players looking good on tour in all this gear, so they reckon if they look that good, then their game might match it.
There’s no harm in wanting to look good on the golf course. But usually, that means leaving the pink trousers at home.
The 24/7 Golfer
Have you got a friend in your group who is constantly up for a game of golf no matter what the weather or time is?
It’s midday on a Wednesday and they’re messaging the group to try and squeeze a few holes in.
They’re constantly playing and practising, and still can’t break 90. Doesn’t matter, they’re addicted to the game.
Clubhouse as a Social Hub
If the answer to “Where shall we have date night tonight?” is the golf clubhouse, then you’re a little too addicted to golf.
As great as the clubhouse is for a quick bite and a drink after 18 holes, it shouldn’t be your first choice for every meal or night out.
Golf Affecting Mood
Life is full of stresses, but if your biggest stress is whether you shot your handicap or not, you’re a little addicted to golf.
Most golfers play their round, have a quick drink and a laugh then go home and get on with their lives.
But for addicted golfers, the rest of the day is dictated by how well or how badly they played.
Growing up, if I shot over my handicap during a round, it would literally ruin the rest of my day and maybe even the week.
Don’t be like that. It’s supposed to be fun, after all.
Golf-Inspired Home Maintenance
If your garden resembles more of a driving range than a family home, you love golf a bit too much.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve put a ball through next doors fence panel.
Your lawn doesn’t need to be manicured to perfection and you certainly don’t need that practice net.
Your neighbours will thank me.
Golf-Centric Family Holidays
You’re planning a family holiday, but instead of finding the place with the nicest pool, you’re checking how much the airline will charge to add your clubs to the flight.
How can you possibly go and enjoy a few relaxed days in Spain without playing golf?
Leave the clubs at home and enjoy a few cocktails by the pool.
Playing Through Pain
You’re not Tiger Woods. You’re not trying to win the US Open, yet you’ll carry on playing despite that sore back or dodgy knee.
If you can’t spend a few weeks resting up from an injury, you’re probably a bit too obsessed with golf.
Getting ‘Golf Fit’
You want to get fit, but getting fit is pointless unless it’s designed to help your golf game.
Of all the signs you’re addicted to golf, getting golf fit is a pretty good addiction to have to be fair, but it’s not what you’re average golfer is doing.
Mental Preparation Pre-Rounds
It’s the night before your monthly medal round and you’re sitting there planning out the round in your head.
“I’ll lay up on the 3rd and maybe I’ll attack the flag on the 7th”.
It’s always a good idea to have some sort of strategy when heading into a round of golf and maybe even a look at the course beforehand if it’s a new place.
But planning out every shot is a little excessive and a sign that golf is demanding too much of your brain capacity.
Unrealistic Expectations
It’s good to have goals in life and golf is no different.
But too many obsessed golfers think they have what it takes to make it onto the PGA Tour when they really don’t have any chance at all.
Even those who don’t dream of the bright lights of pro golf have way too high expectations when they’re out playing.
This only leads them to become down and frustrated with their games because they’re not achieving what they believe they can.
Obsession with Club Technology
New golf club technology is great. Over the years it’s helped the regular golfer gain a few extra yards off the tee and made the game a little easier to play.
But if you think that adjusting the driver head by 1 degree is going to stop you from topping it, you need to have a long hard look at yourself in the mirror.
Golf club fitting sessions are great for finding clubs that fit your game. But don’t get too stuck in the weeds tinkering with the technology.
It’s obsessive and it’s probably doing more bad than good.
Final Thoughts
So you’ve read all of this and it sounds like you could be a little bit addicted to golf?
Don’t worry, there’s plenty of us out there in the same boat as you.
Golf is the best sport in the world and it’s also one of the most addictive. Once you’ve got the ‘golf bug’, you’ll do just about anything to keep trying to get better and hit more perfect shots.
Just make sure you keep it fun and don’t let it ruin other parts of your life!
