Are we talking about the disadvantages of playing golf ON A GOLF SITE?!
Yes, please stop yelling so I can explain…
Key Takeaways
What are the disadvantages of playing golf?
The disadvantages of playing golf come down to how hard the golf swing can be, playing with injuries, golf equipment costs and playing fees, and the economic impact of maintaining a golf course.
Is golf a sport?
How dare you ask me this question.
But yeah, golf is widely accepted as a sport.
Many people see golf as a hobby where people get to drive around in carts and drink all day…fair, but they play golf in the Summer Olympics now, so it’s definitely a sport.
Is it the hardest sport, though?
Why golf is the hardest sport
Because Michael Jordan said so 🤷♂️
In an interview with Steph Curry, MJ had this to say about why golf is the hardest sport…
Mainly because from a competitive standpoint, to me, it is the hardest game ever. Absolutely. I can always respond to an opponent. Defensive guy, offensive guy, whatever.
Golf is the hardest sport because we are in constant battle with our toughest opponent…our brain.
Playing 18 holes of golf can take a long time
We’ve discussed in another article about how long it takes to golf 18 holes, and if you pick the wrong time of the week/day to play you really could spend up to 5 hours on the course.
Now, you could save yourself some time if you just decide you would rather get some light driving range practice in and play 9 holes of golf.
Why is the golf swing so difficult?
The golf swing is so difficult because it’s quite possibly the hardest movement to replicate in sports.
Just think, if Tiger Woods continued to replicate his swing from the early 2000s all the way through today, he would have never lost a golf tournament.
Every part of the body plays a key role when executing a [good] golf swing.
The “short” checklist of things involved in the golf swing consists of:
A bad grip basically screws any golfer from the start.
A poor golf stance rarely lends well to keeping the club on a nice, consistent plane for solid ball striking.
How you balance your weight makes a big difference.
If you feel the weight too far back on your heels, the tendency will be to pull the ball, and vice versa; if the weight is too much on your toes, you may be crowding the ball too much with no room to drop the club “in the slot.”
If your feet and lower body move too much on the takeaway, it derails things from the hips to your upper body, and there’s simply no unison to the swing.
On the flip side, if your feet and lower body stay too quiet(move less), then your upper body is forced to take over, and from there, you are getting little-to-no power because the strongest part of your body is not being used at all.
Tempo plays a huge role when replicating a good golf swing over and over.
Every checkpoint of the swing needs to happen at the exact time in every swing to develop consistent ball striking.
It’s safe to say that finding a repeatable golf swing is a very big disadvantage of playing golf, but hey, most golfers are psycho, and we keep beating balls because we love golf.
Is it bad to play golf everyday?
Scream loudly right now if you’ve ever heard anyone say this…
“Why do I play good golf one day and bad the next?”
On the surface, this sounds really bad.
However, every single golfer in the history of forever experiences this.
So, if someone were to ask me, “Is it bad to play golf everyday,” I would say no, it isn’t.
Our goal to play better golf all hinges on REPITITIONS!
So what if we play great one day and suddenly terrible at golf the next day.
We would get out there the very next day and try it again because you never know what swing you make that unlocks something that feels repeatable.
Getting our reps in is one thing, but doing so when injured or especially after certain surgical procedures is another thing.
When to play golf after surgery
Playing golf after hip replacement surgery
Hip replacement surgery has become less invasive and traumatic with the use of keyhole surgery. Recovery time is also shorter and requires less work than before.
However, it is important to consult with your doctor or surgeon before returning to golf after hip replacement surgery. Rushing back too soon can result in injury to the joint. It is essential to prioritize safety and avoid unnecessary risks.
Playing golf after cataract surgery
If you’re having trouble seeing the ball on the golf course due to cloudy vision, a cataract operation may be necessary. Foggy sight can negatively impact any golfer’s game.
Cataract surgery often saves your golf and improves your scoring, but trying to play golf too soon after cataract surgery can make things way worse.
Playing golf after wisdom teeth removal
Since swinging a golf club isn’t quite the same as playing a contact sport like football, you may feel like golfing after your procedure is perfectly safe.
However, this seemingly routine procedure may not be as straightforward as it seems, and rushing to play golf after wisdom teeth removal could have serious and potentially painful results.
Playing golf after a prostate biopsy
A prostate biopsy is a serious procedure, and making the decision to play should depend on the severity.
Playing golf after a prostate biopsy may not be a priority due to the physical after-effects. This is because the prostate is located inside the rectum, and the procedure requires at least a local anesthetic, which can make you feel less than your best.
Playing golf after prostate surgery is obviously a much more serious matter when you consider how invasive the surgery can be, and consulting with your doctor is a must.
Ok, so we’ve touched on some very common surgical procedures, and now let’s move to the part of the body that takes the most stress in the golf swing…the back.
Golfing with a bad back
Playing golf when suffering from a bad back can be both challenging and painful.
According to Spine-health, individuals with a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease should be careful when playing golf because the twisting motion of the golf swing can cause additional strain on the spine.
This can lead to increased pain, inflammation, and further damage to the back. It’s recommended that golfers with these conditions consult their doctor before playing to determine if it is safe to do so. Each case is unique, and some golfers may be able to play with modifications, while others may need to avoid golf altogether.
Playing golf with a herniated disc can worsen the condition. Golf swings can strain the back and cause more pain, inflammation, and even irreversible damage. Golfers with a herniated disc should consult their doctor before playing and take necessary precautions to prevent further injury.
While playing golf with degenerative disc disease, there are several disadvantages, but the main one is the potential for increased pain and discomfort.
Degenerative disc disease is a condition where the intervertebral discs in the spine gradually deteriorate. These discs act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae, providing flexibility and cushioning during movement.
When playing golf, the repetitive swinging motion, rotation of the spine, and impact forces can put additional stress on the affected discs. This can lead to increased pain, stiffness, and discomfort in the lower back or neck, depending on the location of the degenerated discs.
Hey, let’s not stop there. We’ve completely left out injuries from contact sports.
Golfing with ligament and tendon tears
Two of the more common sports injuries are torn meniscus tears and rotator cuffs.
If you have a torn meniscus, playing golf can be painful and challenging. A tear in the cartilage can occur during the golf swing, causing pain, inflammation, and instability.
Before attempting to play golf with a torn meniscus, seeking medical attention for proper diagnosis, treatment, and advice on modifying your golfing routine to prevent further injury is essential.
Playing golf with a torn rotator cuff presents a significant disadvantage due to the potential for pain, limited range of motion, and compromised swing mechanics.
A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint, and a tear can result from the repetitive and forceful motions involved in the golf swing. A torn rotator cuff can cause pain, weakness, and difficulty in raising or rotating the arm, which can greatly impact a golfer’s ability to perform an effective swing and maintain accuracy.
A disadvantage of golf: Golf equipment
Why is golf equipment so expensive?
This may not sound like news to you, but golf can be expensive.
Before even heading to the golf course, the initial costs include clubs, bag, balls, and clothes.
Many golf courses charge hefty green fees, but if you do plan on playing a substantial amount of golf, then finding a reasonably-priced membership is a good way to go.
Other disadvantages of golf courses
When considering the environmental aspect, golf can have a significant impact on our surroundings. Golf courses require vast amounts of water for maintenance, and chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides contribute to pollution.
Simply put, golf courses are resource-intensive. They consume vast amounts of water, primarily through continuous irrigation, to maintain the greens in pristine condition. This high water usage can strain local water supplies and places a burden on communities suffering from water scarcity.
It is important to note that the economic benefits of golf courses may be restricted. Golf is generally a costly sport that involves several barriers to entry, such as green fees, membership costs, and the need for golf clubs.
As a result, golf courses tend to cater to a limited market, which can restrict their economic impact and exclude individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Ok, I have to be honest. It’s been hard answering questions on the disadvantages of golf, but I wouldn’t be the Wolf it Golf guy if I wasn’t using my experience to touch on any and everything golf related.
Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/wolfitgolf and let me know how you save money playing golf.
This article was written by Kyle Broughton. Kyle has been involved in golf for over 35 years, and has learned more than enough about the game of golf to pass along his expertise to amateur golfers across the globe.