54 replies to this topic

[Ping-man]

I'm not REALLY looking for advice, as no sane person would actually suggest neglecting your livelyhood for a hobby.  I know the answer is to get my head out of the sand and put this game back in perspective, but I'm truly ate up w/ it.  I own my own business & it's fairly successful.  I have surrounded myself w/ smart, talented employees that I trust.  And, honestly, I deserve to be able to get out once a week or so & play.  That's not been the case lately though.  For the past month or so I've been like a drug addict.  I go to the range every morning for an hour before I go into my office.  I've been showing up sweaty & disheveled.  I then "before I get started" Google swing flaws or techniques that I want to work on.  I work for a few hours & at lunch, I'll go back up & putt.  Then, I'll go back to work, but on my way home at the end of the day, I'll stop by and play a lightening speed 9 hole round w/ a cart (that usually ends in frustration).  Add to this the fact that I haven't said "no" to playing golf with a friend or customer in I can't remember when.  And, quite honestly, I'm exhausted.  My shoulder hurts, I'm sore, I feel like I'm getting carpel tunnel syndrome, yet here I am at 10:30 posting this dumb golf story on a golf blog.  I think the worst was the other day when I told my wife I was taking out the trash at like 11:00 pm, 15 min later she "caught me" recording my golf swing in the garage.  It was as if she had walked in on me masturbating.  I threw my 9 iron into the corner and sulked in w/ my head down, face red w/ embarrassment.  Anyway, I'm feeling incredibly guilty.  It's just a damn game & I have a business that demands my attention.  Yet, I actually caught myself daydreaming about selling my business and getting a job as a starter.  What is wrong w/ me?!?!?!?

Edited by MrParr1Noid, 20 September 2012 - 10:11 PM.

[citizensdiscount]

Deep breaths.  Whenever I get to involved in something, I take a trip to Vegas without the clubs.  Sit down at a poker table for a good 10 hours, have a nice dinner and relax.    Hang in there Ping-Man

[BuckeyePaul01]

Naaaaw......you're not neglecting anything.   If you stopped showing up for days at a time, then there might be a problem.

[xabia]

I had some similar thoughts today, I was exhausted my shoulders are killing me, I have to put a tube of icy hot on my back to be able to play and there was a 20 mph wind today, yet I still went to the range and hit about 300 balls, most without purpose or poise. The game overhelms sometimes and we have to remind ourselves to take a step back if the play is overhelming or all consuming. Anyway, I am putting my clubs in basement and wont look at them until sunday at the earliest. If you keep them out of reach you can force some rest at least

Edited by xabia, 20 September 2012 - 10:41 PM.

[sheppy335]

If you are hitting balls without purpose then you are wasting your time. You need a game plan when you practice, even if it is to work on one trouble shot. You dont have an issue, you are still going to work, plus you worked hard to get into this position. the guys i work for are the same as you, practice before work, play lots of golf with customers and thier workers. Heck they even put to golf outing on for us workers twice a year and they are a blast.

I would practice with a purpose like your putting practice and keep up the good work. Oh BTW i go to the range everyday at lunch and dont own my company.

[J13]

Agree with Sheppy.  I understand where your coming from as right now I'm supposed to be working but i'm on here as I'm a golf nut but in the end I get my work done and do it well.  

I say create a practice and play schedule that you stick to.  And when you practice have a purpose.  Don't always think about technic instead focus on hitting your targets and let your body do the rest naturally.  Remember its a fun game.

[Willie Malay]

Instead of "beating balls", I go out to a 9-hole course and walk it, hitting different shots. I purposely go off the tee with different clubs so I get used to teeing off with them and so I hit different clubs into the greens. I'll play multiple balls(if no one is behind me) and nothing to cause damage to the greens. Chip from different spots, etc. I like that practice more than range practice, plus my clubs don't get a lot of wear because there is a good bit of sand on the ranges here. Sand and irons don't mix well.
I'll go at lunch or after work but I will admit to letting some things go at work lately. Not good, but hey you gotta have a stress reliever.
Oh yeah and it's $9 to walk 9 holes. A bucket of balls is sometimes more than that!

Edited by Willie Malay, 21 September 2012 - 08:54 AM.

[Ping-man]

 sheppy335, on 21 September 2012 - 08:14 AM, said:

If you are hitting balls without purpose then you are wasting your time. You need a game plan when you practice, even if it is to work on one trouble shot. You dont have an issue, you are still going to work, plus you worked hard to get into this position. the guys i work for are the same as you, practice before work, play lots of golf with customers and thier workers. Heck they even put to golf outing on for us workers twice a year and they are a blast.

I would practice with a purpose like your putting practice and keep up the good work. Oh BTW i go to the range everyday at lunch and dont own my company.

Thanks for the kind words.  Makes me feel a little better.  I do my best to practice w/ a purpose.  I warm up w/ a wedge and work my way up, odd numbered clubs, to my hybrid (& sometimes driver).  Our range is very bad about having good yardage marked, and you are hitting down hill, so it's easy to loose purpose.  However, I do work on various issues, key swing thoughts, alignment, ball position, etc.  I'm trying to create some kind of muscle memory, but the trouble is, the longer I'm out there, the more I slip back into my "old" ways.  I am seeing improvements though.

[Ping-man]

 Willie Malay, on 21 September 2012 - 08:46 AM, said:

Instead of "beating balls", I go out to a 9-hole course and walk it, hitting different shots. I purposely go off the tee with different clubs so I get used to teeing off with them and so I hit different clubs into the greens. I'll play multiple balls(if no one is behind me) and nothing to cause damage to the greens. Chip from different spots, etc. I like that practice more than range practice, plus my clubs don't get a lot of wear because there is a good bit of sand on the ranges here. Sand and irons don't mix well.
I'll go at lunch or after work but I will admit to letting some things go at work lately. Not good, but hey you gotta have a stress reliever.
Oh yeah and it's $9 to walk 9 holes. A bucket of balls is sometimes more than that!

Good idea about walking 9.  I did that a lot in spring and as it got warmer (hot) I have gotten away from that & started riding.  I honestly played a lot better.  It wasn't as rushed, more relaxed, etc.  I also agree about the range.  Our range is super sandy & the bermuda, even when cut, is still thick.  I'll try that as well.  Thanks!

[Shiram]

Sell the business. Get a job as a starter. Become a range rat.

Life is short - enjoy yourself.

[mwkbmw]

I fail to see the problem.  

[farmer]

Listen to your body.  If you're tired and sore, take a break.  Give up practicing and just play if you can't stand to back off for a couple of weeks.  If you practice while tired and sore, you will build some compensations in your swing as your body tries to protect itself.

[2putttom]

There are worse things to be addicted too.

[RRFireblade]

I feel your pain.

Got to the point I couldn't take it anymore and no choice but.......to quit my job and play golf full time.

All better now.  

[ahopkins13]

I was just thinking about this the other day.

I wake up, i think about golf, i go to work catch up on my work and come to this site or youtube golf swing tips.

About noon i think about going to the range for a quick bag of balls, but i dont.

I go back to work, catch up again, think about golf more.

Go home, load up the cart and get the course as fast as i can. Sometimes my wife goes so i dont feel like im neglecting her. i play 18 then try to decide if i can fit in a few more holes before it gets dark.

Go home, enter my score on callaways website.

Watch the Golf Channel if my wife doesnt complain to loud.

lay down, think about golf, then fall asleep.

hello my name is anthony and im a golf addict.

[blink3665]

I'm glad this thread went this route!  I feel the same way.  Golf is ever consuming on my brain and body.  I go to sleep each night by replaying that days round or practice session in my head.  I have started to build an indoor hitting cage for the winter as well.

When I first read OPs post I thought some people would get in here on their high horse and say how shameful it was to come to work disheveled, blah blah blah.

It sounds like you are getting your responsibilities done.  ENJOY LIFE!

[harbor17]

just curious, what type of business and how long have you run it for?

[J13]

I play a round of golf in my head before bed.  It helps me sleep.  By hole 4 I'm out like a light.

[harbor17]

What led you into this business?

[butch33611]

Add me to the list. I cant skip work but other then that im playing or thinking about golf. Summers are short in minnesota so the golf season dont last near long enough. I dont want to put my clubs away for the winter so im creating this in my garage for my daily gota hit some balls fix. Its not done yet but you get the idea. The netting will be in next week. My wife just rolls her eyes. I dont think she gets it!!! I wonder if cable would be cheeper if I only wanted the golf channel?

Attached Files

•  range2.jpg   59.67K   5 downloads

Edited by butch33611, 21 September 2012 - 08:19 PM.

[KaTooM]

I like the part about dreaming to become a starter!!!

LMAO!!!

[Conrad1953]

 RRFireblade, on 21 September 2012 - 01:05 PM, said:

I feel your pain.

Got to the point I couldn't take it anymore and no choice but.......to quit my job and play golf full time.

All better now.  

I've never been jealous of anyone..........til now

[jprox]

...its 3am and i just  played 36 holes.

[Swisstrader98]

Hey, passionate people are a bit obsessed and just guessing that that kind of energy that you put into your golf game you also put into your work and anything else you do in life. As long as you're not putting your business at risk, you're fine.

[RecreationalHacker]

This game can definitely get a hold on people. I love to play and wish I could get on the course (or driving range) more often.  I usually go by myself since none of my friends or family love to play as much as I do.  In my opinion, there is nothing better than an early morning round when everything is quiet.

[brian575]

I went through this phase a few months back.  And then all of the sudden it was gone.  I rarely play anymore.  I still want to but things in life have stopped me.  I was getting obsessed with golf because I had very little in my life to focus my energy.  Now that I am working on a masters degree I have another thing to focus my energy.  I am sure when I am done I will be right back to my crazy self.

Edited by brian575, 27 September 2012 - 10:05 AM.

[1puttwoods]

Get it together Bro....you don't have a problem, others who don't understand your passion have the problem.

[mdgoo]

 Ping-man, on 20 September 2012 - 09:33 PM, said:

I'm not REALLY looking for advice, as no sane person would actually suggest neglecting your livelyhood for a hobby.  I know the answer is to get my head out of the sand and put this game back in perspective, but I'm truly ate up w/ it.  I own my own business & it's fairly successful.  I have surrounded myself w/ smart, talented employees that I trust.  And, honestly, I deserve to be able to get out once a week or so & play.  That's not been the case lately though.  For the past month or so I've been like a drug addict.  I go to the range every morning for an hour before I go into my office.  I've been showing up sweaty & disheveled.  I then "before I get started" Google swing flaws or techniques that I want to work on.  I work for a few hours & at lunch, I'll go back up & putt.  Then, I'll go back to work, but on my way home at the end of the day, I'll stop by and play a lightening speed 9 hole round w/ a cart (that usually ends in frustration).  Add to this the fact that I haven't said "no" to playing golf with a friend or customer in I can't remember when.  And, quite honestly, I'm exhausted.  My shoulder hurts, I'm sore, I feel like I'm getting carpel tunnel syndrome, yet here I am at 10:30 posting this dumb golf story on a golf blog.  I think the worst was the other day when I told my wife I was taking out the trash at like 11:00 pm, 15 min later she "caught me" recording my golf swing in the garage.  It was as if she had walked in on me masturbating.  I threw my 9 iron into the corner and sulked in w/ my head down, face red w/ embarrassment.  Anyway, I'm feeling incredibly guilty.  It's just a damn game & I have a business that demands my attention.  Yet, I actually caught myself daydreaming about selling my business and getting a job as a starter.  What is wrong w/ me?!?!?!?

Wow I thought I was the only one lol. I cant go 30 minutes would out saying the word "golf". I think I have a problem. But maybe my problem will get me on the PGA tour, not likely but hey I can dream right.

[rge]

I know exactly where the OP is coming from.  I don't think there is a day that golf in whatever shape or form does not become part of my day.  I am either playing, in the range, tinkering with clubs, buying equipment, or in here along with several other golf forums.  Like the OP, I also have my own business and I bet it could really do sooo much better if I put the same kind of enthusiasm into it as I do into golf. Nonetheless, the business is healthy and the wife doesn't (usually) complain.  I am fortunate that my wife also used to be an avid golfer but has other things preoccupying her now. She understands my obsession and allows me to indulge in it. I guess she'd rather that I was obsessed with golf than with other vices.  I sometimes feel guilty about how I can set things aside when it conflicts with my golf activities but as soon as I am playing, all guilt disappears.  I am fortunate though that the kids are grown and my youngest is almost done with college. I always reflect on my life usually when I get to thinking about how I could have made more or gotten into more ventures as many of my very motivated friends do but in the end it all boils down to whether I am happy with who I am, where I am at this stage in my life, and what I do and when I come to terms answering the question, I always arrive at I'm happy as a clam right where I am.  So I guess if the objective of life is to live it, then I am exactly where I should be.  Fore!

[stevejason]

Before I returned to the game last year, I dreamed about Charlize Theron. Now I dream about hitting the driver straight