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By Dave Begel Special to OnMilwaukee.com E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Dave Begel

Published Jan. 27, 2009 at 5:43 a.m.

Tags: golf, brown deer golf course

I'm close to giving up golf forever.

There -- I've said it.

One of the best things about writing this column is the relationship that I establish with readers. Today, I'm asking for advice.

The question is whether or not I should give up golf.

Here's the background:

I played my very first round of golf when I was 14 years old. I rode my bike with Bill Hilgendorf out to Brown Deer Golf Course. It was a six-mile ride, one way. That summer, we rode out there three or four times and week and played.

That's 51 years of golf. I'm still playing at Brown Deer, although I don't ride my bike there anymore.

I've been a good golfer and a lousy golfer. Nowadays it's a lot more lousy than it is good.

I love golf. I've played football and baseball. I was a pole vaulter in high school. Nothing matches the allure of golf.

I read all the golf magazines. I watch The Golf Channel, including those paid programs. I am in a fantasy golf league.

I have made very, very good friends playing golf. Guys who will be friends for life.

My garage is filled with golf stuff. I've got four pairs of shoes, three Foot Joy and one Adidas. I've got four drivers -- Taylor Made, Nike, Cobra and Titleist. All fairly new. I've got irons. I've got a half-dozen putters. I've got about 10 dozen golf balls, Titleist ProV1.

I'm a public links golfer and proud of it. I've played almost all the good courses in Wisconsin, because I have some friends who get passes to the most expensive courses.

I love changing my shoes in the parking lot. I love figuring out who's going to be riding with whom. I love getting a soda from a cute cart girl. I love playing with guys who don't drink beer on the course.

I'm a member of the Brown Deer Seniors golf club. Every Tuesday, we play another course in the area. It's a great, great club.

But the zing has gone out of golf for me. I'm not sure why, but there are a number of things that I'm considering.

First of all, I'm not very good anymore. Once in my life, I played to a single-digit handicap. As recently as three years ago, I could pretty much hold my own with many golfers. Now, single digits are a long forgotten dream. I used to play to break 85. Now I'm pretty happy when it's a 95.

Golf is also very expensive, and I have to watch what I spend. My golf revolves around good courses. Good courses cost a lot of money.

Golf is very time consuming. No matter what, when you play golf it just about shoots an entire day. I've got three great grandkids and I want to spend a lot of my time with them. I may even teach them how to play golf.

There are things about golf that I'd really miss. But nothing more than my friends. It's entirely possible that I might never see some guys I really like and care about. Our relationship is occasioned by golf, and without it, there may well be no relationship.

So, I don't know what to do. I guess that by thinking about giving up golf, I should realize that I ought to give it up. Clearly, the fire to play and compete is gone.

I wonder what other people think. It doesn't have to be a firm decision, but I am clearly in the market for input here.

A big part of me hopes that I decide to keep playing. Right now, I wouldn't bet on it.

11 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by Badgerbreeze on Jan. 28, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. (report)

Dave, Same age, I had the same feeling two years ago when my boys moved away. don't quit just change the way you play, throw the scorecard away. I walk 9 holes during the week instead of the 6 hour full round commitment on weekends, I play early in the morning or late in the afternoon, most often by myself or end up with a newbie who just enjoys playing or is learning. I consider it practice for my grandkids, none yet but maybe someday, I still play in occasional outings with friends, bestball or scramble events so score doesn't matter but time with friends does. I play with family and friends when the opportunity presents itself or if I'm invited. It's more about me doing what I've always enjoyed, fresh air, a good walk, a little challenge, a few good shots, too many do-overs, time with friends, a cheap cigar, a cool drink of water, find a few balls, take a rest when I feel like it and time to reflect. Nice to find you here, same as with golf you have been around a while, I lost track for a while and it good to find you pondering, contributing and thinking out loud or in print. Thanks, BB

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Posted by Mr_Puttle on Jan. 27, 2009 at 11:19 p.m. (report)

hi Dave, Though I've not played as long as yourself, given your point of view I'd stay give up golf for a year and see how you feel afterwards. You've had highs and lows with the game and maybe you just need to step away from it for awhile for you to appreciate what kept you going out there all those years. Golf is quite taxing both the pocketbook and the mind, especially one who plays to score. I'm a little bit younger than you but know that my best days of golf are probably behind me, but I'm in complete denial. So give up the ghost and see what happens. Either you'll really enjoy the increased time with your grandkids or you'll feel a itch that can't be scratched until you lace up one of those pairs of shoes in the garage. In the meantime, consider playing some Puttle with your grandchildren and maybe they'll want you to take out to the course some day. cheers Mr Puttle

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Posted by sortagolf on Jan. 27, 2009 at 9:48 p.m. (report)

Dave, You're not alone. There is a legion of frustrated recreational golfers. The dirty little secret of the golf industry is that as many quit the game each year and join it. But there is hope. A grass roots, radical movement dedicated to recreational golfer satisfaction. It's name is SORTAGOLF and its motto is "gimme mulligan or gimme death". Come join the revolution at www.SORTAGOLF.com

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Posted by rstary on Jan. 27, 2009 at 9:27 p.m. (report)

Dave: You have to understand why you play golf. I enjoy it more if I play well, but I enjoy the camaraderie of my playing partners. I enjoy the idle banter that goes on during the game. It's fun to have an occasional birdie, eagle or even the elusive ace! If you are as into golf as you say you are, you'll end up awfully lonely. Most of your friends are golf related. Stick with it and learn to enjoy the time with friends!

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Posted by DanEBoy on Jan. 27, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. (report)

Dave: Don't even think about giving it up. I know the knees are bad, but you can work around that. It's such a great game and there's something there for everyone, young or old, high handicapper or pro. We've all gone through saying "the hell with it" I know that you would miss it. I also know that the Brown Deer Senior Mens Club would definetly miss guys like you and Terry. Dan

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