I used to be a halfway decent 'gaffer', and I only went downhill from there! 
Golfing anymore has become a huge investment. Between the cost of the clubs, the greens fees, cart rentals, membership costs, other gear purchases, lessons, and the beat goes on. At the same time, golf has become this (not sure how to describe this) like "required" business event where you go golfing with the primary goal of "business networking" (and so many other buzz phrases). "Hey, let's hit some golfballs this weekend!" (when your real intention is (supposed to be) to build this social relationship and drum up more business. I know at my company they'll even let you expense off most of your incremental costs as a "business expense". The company will say things like..."Why not take that client out golfing a few times?"...or whatever, almost encouraging people to play. And then there's all this pressure to be halfway good so you're not constantly embarrassing yourself (and your company). So, if you don't spend the time and effort to take all those high-end lessons, then you're constantly "Army golfing" (i.e. right, left, right, left, right...right.), or 'golfing for squirrels' (i.e. constantly off in the bushes looking for your ball)...when the guy you're with is a scratch golfer. So, now I just say..."I don't play golf anymore, bad back" (which technically isn't a lie, I do have really bad lower back issues).
But the truth is, I just don't enjoy it anymore, all the pressure for a whole variety of reasons other reasons besides enjoying yourself, and the sport/game. I dunno, it might be different if there wasn't so much pressure from peers and the company to play for business reasons. Then, there's all the peer competitiveness..."What'd you shoot today??? I shot a pretty terrible 4 over, not my best day!" (heck, if you can average better than that on a consistent basis, then you're in the wrong business, dude! You should be on the tour!). I think that part actually bothers me...even more!. That's not "fun" anymore...it's work! (I guess it's kind of like fishin' lies!)
Golfing anymore has become a huge investment. Between the cost of the clubs, the greens fees, cart rentals, membership costs, other gear purchases, lessons, and the beat goes on. At the same time, golf has become this (not sure how to describe this) like "required" business event where you go golfing with the primary goal of "business networking" (and so many other buzz phrases). "Hey, let's hit some golfballs this weekend!" (when your real intention is (supposed to be) to build this social relationship and drum up more business. I know at my company they'll even let you expense off most of your incremental costs as a "business expense". The company will say things like..."Why not take that client out golfing a few times?"...or whatever, almost encouraging people to play. And then there's all this pressure to be halfway good so you're not constantly embarrassing yourself (and your company). So, if you don't spend the time and effort to take all those high-end lessons, then you're constantly "Army golfing" (i.e. right, left, right, left, right...right.), or 'golfing for squirrels' (i.e. constantly off in the bushes looking for your ball)...when the guy you're with is a scratch golfer. So, now I just say..."I don't play golf anymore, bad back" (which technically isn't a lie, I do have really bad lower back issues).
But the truth is, I just don't enjoy it anymore, all the pressure for a whole variety of reasons other reasons besides enjoying yourself, and the sport/game. I dunno, it might be different if there wasn't so much pressure from peers and the company to play for business reasons. Then, there's all the peer competitiveness..."What'd you shoot today??? I shot a pretty terrible 4 over, not my best day!" (heck, if you can average better than that on a consistent basis, then you're in the wrong business, dude! You should be on the tour!). I think that part actually bothers me...even more!. That's not "fun" anymore...it's work! (I guess it's kind of like fishin' lies!)