Golf is more than just a game. It’s a mental battle, a walk in nature, a test of character, and a source of endless frustration and unparalleled joy. It’s a sport so beautifully complex that it has inspired commentary from legendary players, witty entertainers, and world leaders alike.
Whether you need a little motivation before you tee off, a good laugh after a tough round, or a new perspective on your swing, these words of wisdom are sure to resonate.
Here are 20 of our favorite quotes about golf from some of the most famous people to ever pick up a club (or at least talk about it).
- On the Mental Game
“Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course — the distance between your ears.”
– Bobby Jones
- On Endless Improvement
“No matter how good you get, you can always get better, and that’s the exciting part.”
– Tiger Woods
- On Perspective
“The most important shot in golf is the next one.”
– Ben Hogan
- On the Nature of the Game
“Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening – and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.”
– Arnold Palmer
- On Luck vs. Hard Work
“The more I practice, the luckier I get.”
– Gary Player
- The Comedian’s Take
“If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you play it, it’s recreation. If you work at it, it’s golf.”
– Bob Hope
- On Imperfection
“Golf is so popular simply because it is the best game in the world at which to be bad.”
– A. A. Milne
- A Statesman’s View
“Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose.”
– Winston Churchill
- On Attitude
“A bad attitude is worse than a bad swing.”
– Payne Stewart
- The Most Famous Quip
“Golf is a good walk spoiled.”
– Mark Twain
- On Fear
“Of all the hazards, fear is the worst.”
– Sam Snead
- On Ball Flight
“You can talk to a fade but a hook won’t listen.”
– Lee Trevino
- A Crossover Athlete’s Opinion
“For a competitive person, golf is a great way to relax because it’s the hardest game to play.”
– Michael Jordan
- On Life and the Game
“You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.”
– Walter Hagen
- On the Humbling Nature of Golf
“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots – but you have to play the ball where it lies.”
– Bobby Jones
- From a Modern Legend
“I don’t believe in luck. In golf, you get what you deserve.”
– Annika Sörenstam
- On the Agony and the Ecstasy
“They call it golf because all the other four-letter words were taken.”
– Raymond Floyd
- For the Amateur Golfer
“The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can’t see him laughing.”
– Bill Murray
- On Priority
“The game of golf is 90% mental and 10% physical.”
– Jack Nicklaus
- A Simple Truth
“The only thing a golfer needs is more daylight.”
– Ben Hogan
Which quote is your favorite? Did we miss one that you always think of on the course? Share your thoughts in the comments below and we’ll see you on the fairway!
Which quote is your favorite? Did we miss one that you always think of on the course?
Feeling inspired? Now it’s time to move from words to action. Put your skills and newfound perspective to the test on our beautiful course.
Come play a round at Hideaway Hills Golf Course. Book your tee time today by calling us at (610) 681-6000.
We’ll see you on the fairway!