I'd Rather be Teed Off, than Teed On....

I never really understood the appeal of playing golf til today.
To be clear, you won't find me tearing up the green anytime soon. I always found it slightly ridiculous in concept- Let's see how far we can whack this tiny ball across a field of chemically enhanced grass and perfect our technique of aiming said ball towards a small hole. I suppose you could look at sports in general with the same train of thought...
Granted golf is generally associated with "Country Clubs" that shelter the appalling sort of people born into privilege and spoiled from it. However, I don't find any sport more infuriatingly pointless than "Curling". That maybe because I find no enjoyment in Bowling, and Curling is reminiscent of Bowling on ice...only, not. Whatever. Curling is stupid. the end.

Someone once very dear to me had a love for golf and even though I didn't understand it, I appreciated his spirited enthusiasm about it (of course, I'm a sucker for passionate people so there is no real surprise there). I even concluded there's something dignified about the history behind the game, something very gentleman-like. Still, if a brain can "roll its eyes" mine did a little.
Admittedly there is something artful in this sport's composure. Aside from the very aesthetic surroundings, the glint of silver in the sun, the "fresh air and exercise", you have this strive for perfection that I cannot help but admire.

What on earth has inspired this random mental venture into the world of Tiger Woods? Well, recently I have taken up racquetball with my roommate. (Bare with me, there is a method to my madness) We are strictly amateurs at this point, but it's fantastic exercise, and induces epic levels of hilarity! We have a friendly competition in volley, which may or may not include a rampant use of profanity and derogatory remarks. ;)
Both of us being artists/musicians, we are prone to finding deeper (or eccentric) enjoyment in activities like this. There's something so delicious in the sound of the swooshing racquet as it connects to the ball with a videogame-like resonance. Finding sweet release in the accomplishment of a goal with physical exertion has proven to be quite liberating! Perhaps it's a form of escapism, but it sure seems a lot healthier than watching a movie!
I realize there's something more oafish about lobbing a rubber ball at a wall, but it somehow connected with me that golf is as much of the same pleasure. The competition to perfect a swing, an angle, a form. The satisfaction that comes from actually striking the object you were intending to hit, sending it soaring thru the air on a beautifully executed ride to its intended destination. The endurance and diligence required in training are definitely beneficial to one's health and well-being.
I have to admit, I love the aggressive tendencies in sports that seem to be lacking in golf. I'm not as classy as I could be I guess. :) I initially became interested in watching football when the guy teaching me about it during a game on TV got all crazy and freakishly loud (mid-sentence) over a bad play. I fed off his passion and ferocity and felt a strange connection to him. Somehow it made me feel like less of a dweeb. All the rage and intensity I feel inside about music and art suddenly felt less insane!!! Someone was as crazy and loud about something that made them happy. I think I could like football :)
Anyway,back to the whole golf thing. I get it now. Even though I may never even play it, and it's technically nothing like racquetball (other than the use of a ball and a swinging motion). Over all, the comparison gave me clearer insight into the world of sports. I can take this new respect and apply it to pretty much any sport.
...Except Curling... that's still stupid.