By Graeme McLeish

GolfWRX Contributor

It sounds like a rather strange title. Surely we all play the same game? To an extent we all do, but the way that we go about it couldn’t be further apart.

It is like an evolution process. First of all you start playing golf and then you eventually turn into a golfer. So what is the actual difference between the two?

Let’s start off discussing those who play golf.

Those who play golf play on a casual basis and as a result everything that they do when it comes to golf is casual. They may have all the gear and play at some top courses but they don’t really go deeper.

They also watch golf on TV from time to time. Those who play golf are good for the game. Without them, it would be near impossible for golfers to play. Those who play golf are likely to pay a year’s membership at a golf club and then play once or twice a month. They have likely held the same handicap for the past ten years but change clubs every year when the latest models arrive in the pro shop with the belief that it will make the difference. They support the golf industry possibly more so than the golfer in a monetary way.

Golfers on the other hand are a completely different breed.

They approach the game from a completely different angle and as a result play the game in a different way with differing viewpoints on the game.

Golfers as a group tend to be very knowledgeable when it comes to the history of the game. They take pride in respecting the traditions and the integrity of the sport and that reflects in what they do on and off the course.

Golfers can generally be found on the range for hours on end working on refining their game in the attempt of knocking off that elusive shot. If you look in their bag, you will tend to find wear patterns on their clubs. The chrome plating will usually be missing from the leading edge off their irons and there will be a circular pattern around the sweet spot, especially on the wedges from the repeated impact of the ball.

It is almost a pre-requisite to become a golfer that you have to wear out at least one set of clubs.

So, golfers in my opinion tend not to change their equipment as often as those who play golf.

What does this tell you about the different approaches to the game?

It would suggest that golfers tend to find something that they like and something that works and then stick with it. They place a whole lot of trust in the club delivering what they want to achieve with each shot.

Those who play golf on the other hand don’t have as detailed requirements from their clubs. This could be because of the more casual approach to the game and are happy to “go with the flow”.

There is a greater commitment from the golfer. They have a lot more invested in the game of golf and their game. Those who play golf do so more for fun, whereas the golfer gains a certain amount of fun from the game, but is also looking for results and a level of satisfaction from the way that they played and the way that they managed their game and their self.

Golfers are the ones that will record their scores, fairways hit, etc., and work out the percentages and sit and analyse what it all means and what they can do differently.

Here is a summary of the traits of each:

Traits of those who play golf

• Play for Fun
• Play once or twice a month
• Tend to buy new equipment frequently
• Not too serious about their golf game
• Scores and handicap don’t tend to improve
• Pull out the same club on the same hole every time they play
• They play on an ad-hoc basis
• If they don’t play it isn’t a big deal

Traits of Golfers

• Play to improve their golf game, for results and enjoyment
• Play more frequently, but enjoy spending time on the range on their golf game
• They explore different possibilities with their swing, shots and strategy
• Knowledgeable about the history of the game
• Serious about the integrity of the sport
• Enjoy the traditions of the game
• Absorb everything that they can about improving their golf game
• Invest a good chunk of their time, effort and money into golf
• They plan their golf
• Playing and practicing is a priority for them and they move events in their diary to fit in a game of golf

One characteristic that I always found quite fascinating was that you could tell a golfer by the way that they walk. It is a more confident, purposeful walk and you could identify how good the golfer was by their walk. Maybe it is a hand eye coordination thing, or maybe it is a deep set confidence that they can play the game to a relatively good standard. Have a look at how the tour pro’s walk compared to a casual golfer from your club.

So, no matter what type of golfer you class yourself as, both groups serve the game of golf and the golf industry in a very different but necessary way for the game to grow and develop, but the most important part is that every time you step onto the golf course you enjoy your game, the company you are with and have fun.

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