Most people know all about the great things golf does for a person, like exercise and stress relief. But the dark side of golf is often something that people choose to be rather selective about and choose to ignore. This dark side can include a lot of aspects that can cause a normal person to be driven quite insane by the game, leading to some serious conclusions about the game of golf that need to be aptly considered.

One of the cons of golf is the possible medical problems that can result from playing the game intensely. Those who play the game of golf incorrectly may injure their arms. Golfer’s elbow is a common condition found among avid golfers. Similar to tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow is characterized by a pain in the elbow, particularly in the medial area of the joint.

The pain can be present at rest, but is intensified when the flexor muscles are activated. The pain is caused by an inflammation of the tendon that attaches the flexor muscles to the elbow. The flexor muscles are the muscles in the forearm that cause the fingers and thumb to bend. Golfer’s elbow is particularly painful when the fist is clenched.

Golf easily can become an excessively expensive hobby! Not only does the golfer need to have all of types of golfing equipment to be successful in the game, but he or she will also need to pay the green fees to play on golf courses. Typical greens fees on quality courses can run around fifty dollars or more to play in the peak time of day. Of course, those golfing on a budget can golf in the later evening hours for closer to twenty dollars, but many people find that they have other ways to spend their money than on a round of golf. And this does not even consider the cost of golf lessons and golf cart rental, as well as the food you will eat while you are out golfing. There is no way around it: golf is a very expensive hobby!

Golf is not an easy sport to teach a child. In order to teach your son or daughter to golf, you will need to invest considerable amounts of money, time, and energy just to get your child on the golf course! You have to pay the greens fee, buy or rent the equipment, and pay for lessons, all before your little golfer decides whether or not he likes the game.

In order to be exceptionally good at golf, potential pros really should start as children. Unlike other sports like basketball and football, a group of kids cannot start a pick up game of golf in the back yard. If a kid is going to learn to play golf, it will take a level of commitment and dedication that most kids are not ready for.

The proof is in the inherent substance of the game. With expenses and other negative aspects of golf in the way, the sport has a definite negative influence on a lot of society. But this influence isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It is a stark reality, bright with the contrast of money making and the impossibility of teaching golf to kids. With this type of negativity, it’s a wonder that they hired Tiger Woods to become really good at it and then sell it to children. But it is what it is and we need to realize that before it’s too late and our world is swallowed up by holes in the green.

Graham Johns owns and writes regularly for http://GolfingLife.net where you can read many more articles on this often difficult but all consuming sport. Also go to http://www.wellspokenaudio.com for entertaining and informative audiobooks on golf, it’s rules and personalities.