A Good Walk Spoiled

Golf is a game. Each game ends with one winner among the customary four players in a group. The winner is determined by the total number of times the ball is fairly hit with equipment conforming to the rules of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, from prepared starting areas into small holes dug into the ground at the end of longish fields typically from 1 to 5 football fields in length. There are 18 such fields, also called “holes”, in a standard game. The collection of holes is called the golf course. After the game you sit with your fellow competitors and recount the heroic shots that you played, as well as the ones that got away and pay any wagers that were made on the outcome of the game.

or,

A Stroll in Beautiful Landscape

In the company of friends or like-minded players, the golfer spends 4 to 5 hours strolling over or through greenery, sharing stories and laughs, while hitting and then chasing down a small ball through tall grass, trees and the occasional stream or pond. You are the batter, the fielder, the hunter and the fisher. You are the master and the dog at the same time. Score is irrelevant as is ever getting the ball into the hole. After the game you share a beverage with your friends and chat about anything but the score.

You must know which version of golf you are enjoying and ensure that your playing companions have similar goals. A competitive player is frustrated by a social group as the RULES are not being followed. Similarly, a social player in a competitive group is frustrated because NATURE is ignored. Play your version of golf the way you like it.