Arnold Palmer famously described golf as both rewarding and maddening, and as a game that “satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect.” But, the King concluded, “it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.”
It’s a fantastic summary of the sport we all love, and an apt explanation as to why it attracts people from all walks of life, from professional athletes and politicians to moguls and celebrities.
One particularly notable celebrity who loves the game but says he’s never been very good at it is actor, director, producer and two-time Oscar winner Ron Howard. And on this week’s episode of Off Course with Claude Harmon, Howard described why playing a round of golf has never disappointed him.
“I’ve never gotten good at golf,” Howard began. “Anytime I break 100, I’m pretty happy. And most times I don’t. But it doesn’t get much worse than that. What I like about it is, it does clear your mind. Whether it’s grab my little bag and play six holes late in the summer, or meet up with people and have a full round, I’ve never had a bad day out there.”
Howard, whose new book “The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family” you can buy right here, said that part of his positive outlook involves not taking the game too seriously.
“If I’m not playing well, that’s not ruining my day,” he said. “But I’m just good enough to be pretty happy when I make a par and thrilled when I make a birdie. So there is a sense of satisfaction in the sport. And I like sports.”
The golf experience is about more than your own performance, Howard said, and much of the joy comes from meeting and interacting with new people.
“It’s the conversation, it’s the people you meet,” he said. “I don’t always play with people I know. I show up and get plugged into a foursome. It’s fun. I’ve never had a bad experience with that in my life. I appreciate the kind of zen of it. It’s just athletic enough, and you’re keeping score. It pulls you along, and there’s drama. And they always say, that good shot on the 18th keeps you coming back.”
For more from Howard, including what it takes to make a good golf movie, and the things golf gives you that other sports don’t, check out the full interview below.
