Say the word golf and more often than not, people would think of the word green. This is only understandable since the game is being played in an outdoor setting. The greenery of the golf course makes up the perfect picture of a playing field. When you compare golf to other sports, it stands out because they do not utilize a standard playing area. This means that unlike other famous ball games, the playing field varies when you move from one location to another. Their designs are unique, depending upon the preference of the land developer or course designer. Golf courses can either be composed of either 9 or 18 holes.

Competing players are more popularly known as golfers and they use various kinds of clubs in hitting a ball into a hole. The objective is simple. Try to hit the ball into the hole using the lowest possible number of strokes. It can be played either as an individual or team sport, depending on the rules of the competition.

One round of golf consists of 9 or 18 holes, played in a particular order. Typically, one round involves 18 holes. Unfortunately, if you are playing on a nine-hole course, you have to complete two successive nine-hole rounds in order to accomplish the task. This sounds like a tall order, right?

The game begins when the player hits the ball from the teeing box. The initial stroke that is carried out is called as a drive. Basically, this is a long distance shot made in order for the ball to travel down the fairway. When the ball has come to a halt, the golfer may strike it again with either of the following options: a lay-up, an approach or a green. The finishing stroke is called a putt and it is done when the ball is really near the hole. This is usually a very exciting part of the game.

The entire process may sound easy. Unfortunately, if you are beset by potential problems like a rough, or areas of long grass, a bunker and the notorious water hazard, you will certainly have a challenging task ahead. Add to that the heavy wind, the rains and for professional players, the cheering and jeering of the crowd and you have one hell of a circus.

Golfers can either walk or drive in motorized carts all over the course. They can go about their game alone or with their friends and helpers. Typically, a caddy accompanies the player. What they do is carry and manage the golfer’s equipment and give them sound advice on how to play the game in a better way.

A lot of golfers sport a simple top paired with a pair of cotton shorts and a sun visor. This is a no-frills get up. When the rainy season comes, one can don for a pair of comfortable pants and thick jacket to keep warm. A good cap may also be used to protect the head from a light drizzle. There are those who like to be prepared and bring an umbrella for cover.

There are many advantages of playing golf. The health reasons include its flexibility factor. Since swinging allows one to stretch, his overall flexibility improves. The same is true for his cardiovascular workout because the heart pumps blood to all parts of the body in an efficient manner if one walks fast from one place to another. Moreover, the refreshing air in the course can bring a calming effect especially to those who are stressed out from all the tension experienced in the office.

There are a lot of sports that have proliferated in the modern society. Ball games are very popular especially when played by teams, as evidenced by the wild reception of fans during basketball, football and volleyball tournaments. This is what made the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States a healthy industry. The same can be said regarding World Cup events where football fanatics from European, African, Latin American and Asian countries come in droves to watch their compatriots play in a competitive manner.

Nowadays, golf is receiving its fair share of attention. This game can be played by a single individual or a team. If you want to know how famous it is, you only need to see the number of sponsors the golfers have on their shirts and bags. Even advertisers are raring to get a piece of the action.

The goal is a no-brainer. The player needs to hit the ball in a hole. He starts the game by posing in a teeing box and from there, utilized various strikes so that the ball will enter the hole. Do you think this sound like a simple routine? Initially, it does. However, when you are already in the playing field, you might get some jitters. Add to that the wrath of Mother Nature like heavy winds, strong rains and even the sporadic thunderstorm while on a golf course. Even seasoned professional players even have to deal with the rowdy crowd who are watching their every move. They should prepare themselves for a wide range of reactions.

Nevertheless, despite the challenges in this particular sport, an increasing number of people are still enticed to participate and become masters at it. This should not really come as a surprise since it presents many advantages. Read on for the benefits that may be reaped while playing this awesome game.

First, it can serve as a total body workout for the player. You do not have to be a professional to get enough physical activity from this game. It limbers your torso thereby improving your flexibility. Your side muscles are also stretched, giving you a better reach even while doing your daily tasks. With the proper body mechanics, you become stronger and mover faster. You are also increasing the efficiency of your heart if you walk briskly from one hole to another.

Second, one can socialize with his peers while playing the game, thereby inducing moments of rest and relaxation. It takes the mind of a person into a different level, leaving all his cares and worries behind in the office or at home. The green fairway is also a perfect way to meditate because it can bring rejuvenation to the tired and weary soul.

If you are an entrepreneur, a round of golf can serve as a good start in negotiating business deals. Actually, many high level career executives prefer commencing and closing their transactions while in the middle of the game. Therefore, if you want to be with the best, brush up on your golfing skills right now.

Lastly, playing golf can inculcate virtues of patience, hard work and prudence. It is more than a physical game that requires pure brawn. It is also a mental game that calls for a meticulous analysis and consideration, especially in selecting the clubs to be used and in evaluating what is the current weather condition.

Whether you care to admit it or not, golf is a very attention-grabbing sport. It has lured its own share of fanatics and critics. There are those who support it because of the supposed perks it offers while others are assailing it for the drawback it entails. Right now, if you are still in doubt on which side to lean towards, here is an interesting list of drawbacks that may make you want to conduct a very thorough cost-benefit analysis.

The first and most obvious disadvantage in playing golf is the exorbitant fees involved. It requires that you have a very deep bank account because you need it to pay for the golf club membership, buy the expensive clubs, and pay the trainer, caddy and the use of the cart. If you are an ordinary person trying to become a master or a professional of this sport, you must have the courage to pursue your passion. You must improve your skills so that sponsors can notice you and take you under their wings. If not, you will just be left in the wayside.

In addition, this sport is not good for the weak of heart and spirit. You must remember that this is a more than just a battle between physical bodies. It is also a battle of intellectual skills because mental alertness and vigilant scrutiny are required in assessing whether the weather condition is appropriate for teeing off or striking a ball.

The second disadvantage is that it doesn’t contribute much to one’s physical health. Other sports would usually make you sweat because they are high impact. Golf does not belong to that classification because teeing does not burn that many calories. Also, it is quite disconcerting to note that most players opt to take the easy route and just ride their golf carts as they travel from one area to another. They also lose the chance of strengthening their upper body when they just let their caddies carry all their equipments.

So if you want to remove a few kilos from your weight, develop your flexibility or tone your body, this sport should not make it to the shortlist. You must look towards other games that can provide you a more strenuous physical workout.

Third, playing golf will make you a subtle destroyer of the natural flora of the environment. This is because you are encouraging property developers to waste hectares upon hectares of land for greenery only. You also have to bear in mind that in order to maintain such neatly manicured lawn, you must need thousand of liters of water every day to sprinkle the grasses with their nourishing effect.

Wasting a huge expanse of land is such a sad thing to do. Imagine doubling that figure if you have an 18-hole golf course. It is simply not a practical thing to do in this day and age where many people are living in the streets or in crowded areas.

So there you have it ladies and gentlemen! Hopefully, this article would make you realize that golf is unlike any other sport. Be careful before making a decision so that you will not feel guilty later on.