Have you ever fell out of love with the game?

[Brunchz0r]

It hurts everytime I play. Just a lot going on with the health. I love the game, but have always competed and been pretty decent. I still play, but have stepped away from competitions and only play casual rounds now. Trying (Like really trying) to love the game without needing to shoot around par, but I find it challenging to say the least.

So not fallen out of love, but "It's complicated"

Edited February 14 by Brunchz0r

[onuzim]

Just come back to golf after taking 8 years off. I was my own worst enemy before I stopped playing and my attitude sucked all the joy out of playing. 

 

Taking time off from the game and my relationship with it has made a huge difference to my attitude on the golf course. I now make a conscious effort to enjoy every shot and every hole I play, regardless of the result. 

[Carl Spackler3]

during the covid boom, I was completely down on how crowded every course was > I was down on how quickly etiquette disappeared, dress code disappeared and music became the rule rather than the exception. I never looked at golf like bowling where I would  grab three morons and just run around the course drunk as fools. that is just the way it goes I guest.

 

bit the bullet joined a club and fell in love with the game again 

[Ranchobob]

Quit for almost ten years after lessons destroyed my swing and am just now dipping my toes back in. 
 

Frankly, if the 5.5 hour public round is still the norm I’ll shove my sticks back in the rafters and walk right back out.  

[electroleum]

I quit after High School because I became insufferable to play with. I played competitively in HS, and every round had to be a good one, otherwise I'd get miserable.

Got back into it a couple years after University, and have kept playing until present day (I'm currently 44). Definitely not the player I was in high school these days, but to be honest, my game is in such shambles right now that I'm on the brink of falling out of love with it again.

Edited April 8 by electroleum

[Ranchobob]

5 hours ago, electroleum said:

I quit after High School because I became insufferable to play with. I played competitively in HS, and every round had to be a good one, otherwise I'd get miserable.

Got back into it a couple years after University, and have kept playing until present day (I'm currently 44). Definitely not the player I was in high school these days, but to be honest, my game is in such shambles right now that I'm on the brink of falling out of love with it again.

 

[msimpsoneh]

YES...Through 17 holes...Then birdied the 18th and fell back in love again!

[sjcc]

You can’t fell out of anything.

[forrester_fire]

I'm currently there.  Over the past 5 years I've lost practically all of my regular playing partners to moves, kids, etc.  I've tried going out as a single and matching up with incomplete foursomes, but it kind of sucks.  50% of the joy in the game is getting out of the house with the guys, having a couple of beers, and busting each other's chops for 5 hours.

[rwc356]

On 5/13/2025 at 2:14 PM, forrester_fire said:

I'm currently there.  Over the past 5 years I've lost practically all of my regular playing partners to moves, kids, etc.  I've tried going out as a single and matching up with incomplete foursomes, but it kind of sucks.  50% of the joy in the game is getting out of the house with the guys, having a couple of beers, and busting each other's chops for 5 hours.

Maybe you can find a 9 hole league - great way to meet other golfers. I moved into the city about 13 years ago and struggled to find a regular game. Most of the local courses wouldn't let a single book a tee time so I had to show up and beg the starter for a spot. Hated it! Found a course with a league I could join and it made all the difference. Had a regular tee time and group of guys that became friends over time. Best of luck!

[SurfDuffer]

Over the past two years I've pretty much lost it.  Course changes and condo construction on my long time home course.  One playing partner died at 46 and another stopped playing due to illness.  My son who was my regular playing partner growing up and having a career.  Injuries that have hindered me from practicing to maintain the level of play I expect of myself.  A knee that is making it so I can't walk 18 anymore and I hate cart golf.  I went from playing and practicing five days a week for about 20 years to having played just twice so far in 2025.

Edited June 8 by SurfDuffer

[chachang25]

I reliably get "down" after a big buddies golf trip.  It's just not as fun getting back out there without those full 4somes of guys you love to golf with.  Typically it passes after some time, as I find something new about the game I enjoy.  But I think ultimately, there's a lot of things about the game that people enjoy.  The time with friends/family, the challenge of game, the many facets required to put together a truly great round, the course, just being outside... whatever it is, think it's different for everyone.  If it turns too much into one specific aspect, that one aspect can inevitably let you down, and you need another thing to re-spark the joy.

[Rail]

It's actually good to read some of these thoughts and what guys have gone through. I was all golf all day for so many years. Life changed about 12 years ago when I took a new job that required a lot of my time (60-80 hrs/ week) and 2 teenagers that were into every sport they could find. Seemed all I did was work and chase them from event to event. Might have played 10 rounds in 10 years. 2 years ago I decided I wanted to get back into golf and started playing 2-3x month. The journey back has been so frustrating to say the least. I was a +2 when I changed jobs and now I can throw out a sub-80 round or mid-90. No one really knows.. Trying to change the mindset and forget about the was and work on the is can be very depressing at times. 

[elwhippy]

Two knockout ties to play in next 8 days. Will not hit a shot outside of these games. Lessons, practice, course in good nick, and cannot get the ball in the hole despite driving it well. I need a break as golf has gone from a hobby to a major source of stress. 

[parbung]

right now. 

 

struggling with my wedges this week, and it's been frustrating me like no other. 

 

ill be back out later today tho for twilight lol.  

[jpgolfs04]

Yeah, I’ve definitely gone through stretches where I wasn’t feeling the game. I was frustrated with my swing, not scoring well, or just mentally checked out. What brought me back was either finding a new part of the game to work on, like putting or short game, or just playing a super casual round with no expectations. Sometimes taking a break is exactly what you need to miss it again.

[xabia]

in a deep loathing cycle all year -- first baby coming pressing too hard swinging like an idiot always figure out why I am screwing up after the round etc.. 

 

It feels like I am just embarrassing myself out there time and time again. But here is the thing, I just love hitting golf balls its my favorite thing to do in the universe - all f my issues are related to competition, induced pressure, perception, country club shenanigans and other areas. once the baby comes all that goes away and I can just find time to hit balls with no other thoughts I will be fine again. 

[AdamMW]

Yes. I want to quit like maybe for good a few times a year. 

[migosham]

about 10 times a round...up until I hit the shot that convinces me I'm ready for the tour 😂

[Ghostbeezy]

I was in a relationship, we weren't a good couple. I didn't love the man I was so for 12+ years I barely had the space to put my brains in the place to challenge myself with golf. 

I'm coming back to it to *work* at something, as a hobby. Can I take lessons and work and make myself better. 

[rwc356]

@Ghostbeezy good luck!

[WesternRacing]

DELETED.

Edited July 6 by WesternRacing

[AtomicJoe]

I fell out of love with the game for about a week while I was in the midst of a swing overhaul. I went from pretty decent to not even being able to make contact with the ball at all. The day after I considered quitting for good I started flushing it again. 🙄

[Johnny Biarritz]

Not exactly, but I have gone through periods where I played very little golf. I think from September 2023 until early May of this year, I played twice. But I played a couple times and I'm right back in it. Maybe the time away helped. My kids are asking to play golf a lot nowadays, so hopefully that keeps up and I get to hang with them more. I'd like to take the next few years to really get my game back into shape so that I can play some fairly serious competitions when I retire.

[caniac6]

I’m kind of in a bad spot, and I hope it’s temporary. Our course did a renovation last year, and I don’t like the results. The summer heat has been tough, and I am starting no looking forward to playing. I’m usually very positive, but I’m starting to dwell on all the negative things about my club. Don’t know if I need a break, or look for another club.

[Barfolomew]

 

Trying playin much less

Only play for the fun of being out there..... Dont Be A Score Whore!

[hawkeye13]

Yes pretty much every year for a few weeks. Out of all my friends I am the only one who actually practices. For the past 3 years - I record my range sessions and have disciplined, deliberate practice working on drills from my instructor etc. I would say none of it has transitioned to the course, and some of it has led to shank problems. Every time I get a case of shanks I get all woe is me, I put too much time into this game to be doing this s***, blah blah blah. I usually start playing better after taking some time off and not practicing

[TNwanabe]

4 hours ago, hawkeye13 said:

Yes pretty much every year for a few weeks. Out of all my friends I am the only one who actually practices. For the past 3 years - I record my range sessions and have disciplined, deliberate practice working on drills from my instructor etc. I would say none of it has transitioned to the course, and some of it has led to shank problems. Every time I get a case of shanks I get all woe is me, I put too much time into this game to be doing this s***, blah blah blah. I usually start playing better after taking some time off and not practicing

So true. Funny how it works. 

[bekgolf]

Haven't played since November 2024.  Taking the season off this year to let my body heal up (it seemed like something was always injured the last few seasons).  The longer I stay away the less I miss playing.  I went through something similar about 10 years ago, just lost interest in playing and practicing but the interest came back after a few years off.  I haven't bought a club or spent any money on golf for the year to date.

 

I plan to start golfing again at the end of the year or beginning of next year.    

[Bruiser419]

No.  I just had to take a hiatus due to no time to practice or play.