For many of us who golf on a regular basis, we share a love-hate relationship with this sport. For some reason, golf keeps us coming back for more and more while at the same time frustrating us beyond any normal levels for any other pastime. Is it possible to have fun each and every time you hit the links for a round? It all comes down to what your expectations are when you are playing the game you love (or hate).

When you tee off on the first hole of any golf course, where do you expect the ball to go? Most of us expect a perfect shot, straight down the middle and at least 200 yards out. Is this realistic? In most cases, not even maybe. Sure, there are those of you out there who can hit a decent tee shot each and every time but for the rest of us, were lucky just to keep it in the fairway. Do you know that only 10% of all golfers consistently shoot below 100 each and every time they play golf?

If only one in ten golfers can consistently score below 100, how can this game be worth coming back for time and again? It all comes down to what you expect to shoot when you head out. Expect an 80 and maybe you shouldnt if you usually play in the high nineties.

If you want to have fun golfing, it can be done. Most people who truly enjoy the game just go out and play it, no expectations brought with them when they hit the links. Many golfers find that as soon as they stop thinking about their score on each and every hole, not only do they start to enjoy the game a lot more but their score goes down as well.

Golf can be fun and it can also be serious and fun at the same time. Think of Tiger Woods. When hes winning he looks like he is having the time of his life. Tiger only gets worked up when he is not winning or in a position to win the tournament. Is it realistic of him to expect to win every time he takes out the clubs? No, and considering that he is the best golfer in the world he does have a good chance of winning. But, for the rest of us we should just expect to play as good as we can play and once in a while, a little bit worse or a little bit better.

The key, as I see it is to try to accept that every game will not be perfect, and to try to enjoy each time we have the privilege of playing, even if that means playing worse than we are usually used to. Golf can always be fun, as long as out expectations are in line with our capabilities.