I like to golf. As a player I suck but, I love the game. I also love watching the professionals who play this mind boggling, throw the clubs in the lake, never picking up a club again game. What is it about this game that keeps us coming back?

As a golf junkie, I’m ashamed to admit, I have yet to break 100. Although, given more time, lessons and patience, feel that I’m ‘right there’. And maybe that’s it. We all have that one shot during a round that we think, ‘man if I could do that consistently every time, I could rule this game’. But, it doesn’t happen that way. Even for the pros. We have watched several pros advance it only a few feet out of thick rough or even fail to get out of greenside bunker. Those are the exact shots that, not only humbles them, but makes us realize, they’re human. They are like us.

Professional golfers are some of the few professional athletes we feel like we can relate to. We can get closer to them during a tournament than any other athlete, except maybe in the bleachers at Wrigley. We can watch them on the practice range and practice green before a tournament. We can follow them step for step through a round. And if we are lucky, as my husband was, even play in a pro am with one or two of them.   What other sport can you play with the athletes?

My husband and I go to the Heritage every year and we, like hundreds, sit and watch these guys on the range and green. Like at a museum. We’re behind the rope looking at an exhibit. It has to feel strange for the pros too. Talk about feeling like you are in a fish bowl!

But they are just like us. They goof around, place bets on practice shots and even have to juggle which parent is taking which child after the round. We saw Ben Crane finish his round at Harbour Town a few years back and his wife immediately brought their two children over. My husband and I watched, almost in awe, their discussion about who was taking which child. And it occurred to us, wow, no matter what your profession, you still have the logistics to work out. You feel bonded over that brief encounter and again realize, they are just like us.

It doesn’t stop there. Like baseball players, golfers have a lot of time to ‘chill’. Whether it’s waiting for their tee time, a weather delay, or a slow group ahead, golfers have to be patient and learn how to relax and pass the time effectively. So they do what a lot of people do. They entertain each other.

Now, we have all seen bloopers and behind the scene videos of athletes and their antics. But with golf, if you watch carefully or follow the players, you get a sense of who they are and relish in their banter. This is not only prominent on the PGA but the LPGA as well. Think girls don’t know how to have fun? Think again. Care to bet for a pair of Jimmy Choos or Minolos? The point is, these athletes are funny and fun to be around. And who doesn’t enjoy being around fun people?  If you don’t believe me, check out the video of Ben Crane and Bubba Watson rapping on the 16th tee of the Phoenix Open.

The best part? A lot of people think golf is boring. Really?! Well, I have two things to say about that. 1. Try to play the game and you will appreciate what these athletes do week in and week out and 2. Even if you don’t want to watch or play the game, follow a few players on twitter or facebook. I can’t tell you the joy that I’ve found following Bubba Watson and his new toy the General Lee. Or check out the Golf Boys Youtube videos. If you don’t find them mildly entertaining then you need to take a long look in the mirror because remember, they are just like us. Just with deeper pockets, sponsors and cooler cars.