You’re not running. You’re not jumping. You’re not throwing. And you’re not catching anything. In fact, when it comes to physical activity, your movement in golf varies comparably very little.

You hold a thin, narrow stick about 3-4 feet in length and weighing on average three-quarters of a pound. You swing at a little ball that has to weigh less than 1.6 ounces, hoping to knock it a couple hundred yards across a well-groomed field to a distant hole.

Your goal: Knock that little white thing with a skinny stick into a distant hole with a triangular flag. That is golf, a sport beloved by millions. In fact, the devotion to this ancient game transcends the usual allegiances given to any other particular pastime.

While touch football, table tennis, softball and pool, for example, may attract their zealous adherents, golf beckons the fringe. Golf is a game of quiet, self-contained (most of the time) passion. Golf almost steps beyond mere recreation into the realm of lifestyle. In fact, many communities tout their many amenities tailored to promoting the golf lifestyles.

What makes golf unique, besides the obvious?

While we at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club certainly understand the basics, such as the lush green course here, the beautiful countryside and the feel of the good, old-fashioned outdoors on a nice day, we want to delve deep into the fascination and the challenges of golf.

Golf Is Counterintuitive

The top reason for golf’s popularity – which is counterintuitive – is the assumption that the game is easy. According to Par Excellence Magazine, beginners think they can teach themselves how to play. The mechanics of golf go against conventional wisdom, which ironically explains why, once the basic techniques are acquired, the game becomes such a powerful form of recreation.

Teaching the golf swing, for example, seems to defy common sense. For longer distances, swing slower. What!? For more power, use a softer grip. Huh? Putting is an art, not a science.

The nuances of golf – and the required adjustments in thought processes – provide invigorating intellectual stimulant while giving the players the opportunity to enjoy the course scenery and the artistry of the landscape.

The relation between instructor and player (or between players of different skill levels) plays into the sports’ dynamic as well. How does a new player accept instruction or advice? How is information processed and incorporated into the game?

In other academic- or sport-related endeavors, it could be as simple as performing a certain action as demonstrated or reciting information that was heard. But in golf, information has to be processed differently; it has to be incorporated into the movement and observation of a process of the game and not just simply acquired mentally or physically, but mentally and physically.

Although perhaps not as physically invigorating, golf is a deeper, more comprehensive, cerebral game that presents challenges on all levels of experience.

Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club provides players the opportunity to play on an 18-hole championship course designed by Ron Garl. The course has tribute holes from the some of the world’s best courses including Augusta, Royal Troon, Baltusrol, Muirfield and St. Andrews.

The Golf Shop at Golden Ocala offers clubs, clothing and a wide variety of golf accessories, stocking only the finest in the sport. Private lessons are available with Golden Ocala’s PGA professional instructors, led by acclaimed golf instructors John Elliot Jr, Nick Montanaro and Daren Robinson.

Come and experience the sport of golf at its finest. Keep up with all of the latest news from Golden Ocala by following us on Facebook and Twitter.