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Green Fees
Activities, are important. They define us. They are integral to our identities. They echo our hopes. They reflect our values. Where we don’t, strictly speaking, need many of these activities, pastimes, or pursuits to survive, we do need them to survive happily. The world would be pretty bleak without the joy we get and character we build from participation in these things.
Although I at times preach, pontificate, and place judgment- I try not to. I don’t claim to have the answers on how to live correctly, or even well (at least in clear-headed, rational moments). I realize that each person cultivates his or her own cultural values, and more over, has a fundamental right to do so. But doesn’t our choice of activities reflect our values? And shouldn’t therefore we be held responsible if not accountable for that choice. It’s right conduct. We are judged by our actions- if by no one else but ourselves.
Now, if we consider that every action has an equal reaction, then we must also admit that to some degree every action is worth analyzing as its effect is equal in significance to someone or something. This line of thinking can at best lead to better practices, and at worst, be crippling.
Consider environmentalism and the push to be “green” (a horrid overuse of what was once a great word, color, and concept). We should all be stewards of the very thing that allows us to exist- so I won’t go far in preaching here. The push toward environmentalism is important, but unfortunately- difficult. Somehow we have lost our best practices for convenient ones. Perhaps in the name of capitalism, perhaps, productivity- perhaps they are too intertwined to separate. Either way, most people can agree that our current practices need to change; we can see that in action at the gas pump, or in the grocery store.
Some people get stuck when they either realize that they alone can’t make a big enough change, they know academically what they should do but can’t act on it, or they realize how much they would have to do to not have as much of a negative impact. We can’t make all these changes at once, but the good news is- we don’t have to.
If we really tried to have no negative impact on the world, we wouldn’t have any positive impact on it either. We do what we can do. We make small changes in our practices, and when they become the normal mode of operation, they are no longer a burden.
I started thinking about this some time ago when I considered the economic and environmental costs of golf. I know George Carlin famously went through this, but I’ll reiterate. It is an annoying, elitist, and arrogant game. It uses too much land and more importantly is a pointless activity that costs money we as Americans don’t have.
Are we so well off as a people that we can spend billions of dollars annually to wander around a chemically manicured environment for countless hours?
Again, hobbies and pastimes are important. People shouldn’t feel that they have to bear the weight of all others. They are allowed and deserve activities that bring them pleasure in their free time. But we should seek activities that fit our beliefs and ideals.
This is my last season as Boys golf coach, in part because I plan to start another degree, but also because I have grown to truly dislike the sport in a lot of ways. There are things I love about it- the walks with friends, the often beautiful landscape and occasional beautiful shot, the feeling of a good swing, the sound of a well-struck ball, the peace one can feel when they relax and let go. It can be meditative, reflective.
But often it’s not. Courses in the Northeast are jammed with carts the same way our interstates are jammed with cars. I can see the waste of resources like water, the overuse of chemicals, the bombardment of snake-oil sales pitches and miracle swing fixes, the elitism, the cost on an individual for equipment, lessons, clothing, and greens fees.
It isn’t a natural interaction with the world. We walk in circles on manmade manicured, chemical soaked fairways crammed between groups of Type A’s trying to relax.
A good walk spoiled? To say the least. And that is why it’s time to move to pastimes that are more utilitarian, that serve both pleasure and function, that fit with my values, and that mirror me as an individual.
Many well said things, my friend. It really makes me think. Perhaps I should be spending my Sunday mornings hiking, gardening, taking care of my chickens, but I’m torn. You mention the meditative, reflective nature of the game. For me, it really is that. On a Sunday morning, at 6:30 am, the warm sun provoking a gentle mist to rise over the green fairway, I am able to just be with me for a little while. I play mostly by myself on those mornings. I get a moment to reflect on my previous week, look ahead to the next, and try to make some order of my usually chaotic life. I’m off the course by 9 feeling relaxed, refreshed, and ready for the next week. I get home just as my two girls are ready to start their day. It seems like a perfect release. Unfortunately, I had never stopped to consider my personal impact on the environment, and society in general, however small it may be, during those early morning rounds. Perhaps I shall. Now, I’m not saying that I’ll quit cold turkey or anything (where does that idiom come from anyway?), but hitting a good hiking trail may be a good substitute. On the other hand, I could always take up ATVing. That’s pretty environmentally friendly, right?
I agree with everything that you wrote, however, my cost/benefit ratio in relation to golf is a bit different than yours. While we have similar values in regards to environmentalism and choosing hobbies according to our principles, I tend to get more enjoyment out of golf than you do mainly because I have had more opportunity at an earlier age to become proficient in the activity. In truth, success usually breeds enjoyment in almost everything that we do in life.
Golf is also one of the few activities that my brothers, my father, and I find enjoyment doing together. Despite our differences, we all find pleasure, not only in the activity of golf, but in participating in the game together. This may seem to be a rather trivial reason to turn a blind eye to the concerns that you raise, but playing golf with my family and close friends is one of the few things that I find completely enjoyable and relaxing. It is a mental vacation from the stresses of work and life.
Of course, if it weren’t for my position as a golf coach, I would probably play a maximum of five rounds of golf a year. I do think that the expense is exorbitant so I restrict myself to very few paid rounds annually. As someone who doesn’t even use fertilizer on their own lawn, I also have serious problems with the amount of chemicals necessary to keep a well-manicured course. It is because of these reasons that I remain morally conflicted despite my love of the game. For now, I try to balance these competing influences by playing only a few rounds of golf a year (once the coaching season ends)