If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, you may be affected by something known as the "golf bug". There is no known cure at this time, but remedies include playing more golf, getting your friends to play golf, and generally making golf your entire personality.
Your closet is overrun by golf apparel
Society of Golf Historians on X
On the course, in the office, at a wedding...is there any occasion where you won't rock a golf polo? And of course, you'll need a hat to match all of those outfits—because every golfer knows it's not just about playing the part, it's about looking the part, too. Can you really get by with only one pair of golf shoes?
If those sound like statements you've made before, chances are your closet is overflowing with more polos, hats, and shoes than some of the wardrobes featured on MTV Cribs. You've likely got a rotation of golf outfits for every possible scenario, because why wouldn't you? For you, golf is more than a game—it's a lifestyle, and your wardrobe proves it.
You have more clubs collecting dust in your garage than in your bag
Golf Digest
Do you wait anxiously for announcements on the newest driver drops like a kid on Christmas Eve? If you're one of those golfers that is constantly looking to game the newest equipment, each new purchase sparks a new question: what do you do with your old gear? You could sell it and try to recoup some of that cash you just dropped. You could find a friend in need of an upgrade and tap into your charitable side.
But what likely is going to happen is you'll hang on to those clubs for a bit as a sort of security blanket in case the new clubs don't fit your game like you hoped or because you have some special attachment to them. You claim you'll find a use for them at some point, but let's be honest. Those clubs are just going to pile up until you have a collection large enough to start your own second-hand golf shop. Which of course you won't, because otherwise you wouldn't be here in the first place.
You can't stop watching swing tip videos
If you're going to spend this much time playing and thinking about golf, you should probably be better at it, right? You spend hours falling down YouTube rabbit holes of top coaches and players, endlessly seeking that one magic key that will unlock your true potential. The fact that you haven't found it yet should be a sign, but you don't let that deter you. Greatness only comes to those who persist, so keep on grinding.
You put those swing tips to practice anywhere, any time
Golf Digest
We all wish we had more time to spend on the course or at the range, but life keeps getting in the way. You can either sulk over all that lost time or you can commit to getting better wherever, whenever you have a free moment. Waiting in line at the store, watching TV, in the shower—all of these time sucks are now a chance for you to work on your swing. Ignore all those weird glances as you make a phantom swing in the middle of a crowd; only the true golf addicts will get it.
Your social media feed is nothing but golf memes
@golfguyfilms
Your friends and family aren’t the only ones that know you’re completely consumed by golf. The hours you’ve spent watching swing tutorials, analyzing pro games, and religiously following golf influencers have sent clear signals to the internet's algorithms. Now, every social media feed, YouTube recommendation, and even targeted ads seem to cater exclusively to your golfing obsession. From memes to training aids to golf course vlogs, your digital world is constantly flooded with content designed to keep your brain hooked on golf.
Sometimes it’s like the algorithms know you better than you know yourself. Every once in a while, you imagine a world where there was some more variety to your digital life...until you realize that all that golf would be replaced by your ex's wedding photos, your co-worker's attempt to be a fashion influencer, and deranged comments from that weird relative. Who says obsession doesn't have some positive outcomes?
You plan your weekly schedule around when you can play golf
A round of golf is many things, but short isn't one of them. For most that would simply mean less opportunity to play golf, but for you that means that everything else on the schedule gets shifted to create the window you need. Whether your out with the dawn patrol, sneaking in a twilight round after work, or scoring that coveted weekend tee time, blocking out time for your round comes first and foremost. All those other responsibilities—work, family, sleep—will just have to find time somewhere else.
Your initial research into vacation destinations revolves around nearby golf courses
Golf Magazine
When most people start thinking about a vacation, they generally start thinking about where they want to go sightseeing, what food they want to try, where they want to stay, and so on. Not you though. You hear "vacation" and your first thought is "which courses can I check off my list on this trip?"
And this isn't just talking about making plans for your annual golf trip and debating with the gang whether you want to do Pebble, Bandon, or Scotland this year. Any time you're planning on traveling means an opportunity to check out some new tracks. Your significant other says they're feeling like a beach resort vacation and you immediately Google "best golf courses in Cancun". After all, there are tens of thousands of golf courses around the world; how else are you going to play as many of them as possible?
You fall asleep by counting golf shots
Who decided that counting sheep was the best way to ease a restless mind as you toss and turn in bed? For you, the easiest way to settle down is reliving your latest round, shot by shot. All starts to fade away as you recall striping a drive and then draining the 20-footer for birdie. The trance is briefly interrupted when you're confronted by that blowup on the 11th, only for the bounce back on 12 to ease you back into slumber. As you try to remember the layout of each hole, one-by-one, you drift off into dreams of playing each one exactly as it was designed to be played.
Nobody struggle with gift ideas for you
Gone are the days of having to subtly hint at what you want this year, only to end up unwrapping something that neither you or anybody else on this planet would hope to receive as a gift. Everybody knows what you're about now.
There's never been a golfer who's been gifted a box of ProV1s and thought "I really don't need another one of these." And while this may also mean you end up with multiple rangefinders, divot tools, head covers, towels, and training contraptions, at least you can usually find a use for them (or regift them to a golfer who can). Plus, when you consider the alternatives of wacky ties, ill-fitting sweaters, and corny joke mugs, it's hard to complain.
You run a golf club
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Imagine I offered you a job where your responsibilities include organizing schedules, collecting and tracking payments, resolving disputes, and, oh yeah, you wouldn't get paid for it. You'd tell I'm crazy, right?
Now put all of those roles in a golf tournament setting. Does it suddenly sound more appealing? If your answer is yes, then it probably means that you run a golf club. There are thousands of communities of golfers in Southern California alone that only exist because of people that live for this game and want to create a home for people that share their obsession. It can often be a thankless job, but it's a vital part of keeping golf alive and well.
If you answered yes to the question above and you're not part of a golf club, maybe it's time to consider finding one where you can get involved or starting one of your own.
