Golf has been played for at least 400 years, according to the “Spirit of Golf Foundation.”
It began in Scotland, spread to England, and has since extended its reach around the globe. Whether a golfer plays the game as an occasional escape or for frequent pleasure, many incentives can compel him/her.
It might seem like such an intense sport but here are a few reasons why it’s completely fun.
Competition
Anyone who enjoys the thrill of competition should definitely play golf. A golfer is in a constant state of competition with the course itself. If additional stakes are sought, golf tournaments are among the few sporting competitions readily available for adult nonprofessional athletes.
Exercise
The average length of the golf course is about 6,000 yards or almost 3.5 miles. For a golfer willing to walk the course, there is tremendous potential for a good workout. A cart driver will also benefit from intermittent walks between cart rides, bearing the weight of his equipment, and the muscle flexibility maintained by repeatedly swinging a club.
Nature
On a beautiful day, a golfer would find the course can seem like the perfect setting. Immaculately kept fairways, constructed water hazards and well-pruned greenery set against mountains, lakes and even the ocean make a golf course a wonderful place to experience enhanced nature. Couple this with a nice breeze and some sunshine, and it’s is a great way to spend half a day outdoors.
Vacation
The quiet and serenity of the course is an ideal place to unwind from an everyday schedule. An outing can be an activity within a longer vacation or a vacation on its own. The tranquility of the setting juxtaposed with the freedom to take aim and swing is a great recipe for stress relief.
Family
The appeal of the sport can span the age range of all members of a family. A young player may enjoy the challenge of making contact with the ball for the first time, learning a new sport or the delight of spending the day with an adult relative. For an adult, it may be a great opportunity to isolate his family from distractions and focus on spending time together in the context of a fun game.
Friendship
Golf is the perfect venue to make new friendships and strengthen old ones. When a golfer joins a friend for 18 holes, he/she’s guaranteed three to four hours of time with him. If she shows up at course alone, a golfer has the potential to meet someone new, share a tee time, and spend the afternoon getting to know him.
Business 
A round on the course can substitute for a business meeting, a boardroom conference, or even a letter of introduction and a resume.