--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It wasn't until last year that I figured…" description: "\"It wasn't until last year that I figured out the problem: I just don't love competitive golf. What I love is the game itself. I love being outdoors, pr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06d/paige-spiranac-9801_golf_it-wasn-t-until-last-year-that-i-figured_1730499.jpg" --- # It wasn't until last year that I figured out the problem… ![“It wasn't until last year that I figured out the problem: I just don't love competitive golf. What I love is the game itself. I love being outdoors, practicing, and smelling the freshly cut grass at 6:00 a.m. as the sun rises. But I didn't love travel, or pressure, or the mean-spiritedness of my…” quote by Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06d/paige-spiranac-9801_golf_it-wasn-t-until-last-year-that-i-figured_1730499.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06d/paige-spiranac-9801_golf_it-wasn-t-until-last-year-that-i-figured_1730499.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06d/paige-spiranac-9801_golf_it-wasn-t-until-last-year-that-i-figured_1730499.jpg) > “It wasn't until last year that I figured out the problem: I just don't love competitive golf. What I love is the game itself. I love being outdoors, practicing, and smelling the freshly cut grass at 6:00 a.m. as the sun rises. But I didn't love travel, or pressure, or the mean-spiritedness of my competitors.” [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker realized they enjoy the pure aspects of golf—nature, practice, and the sport itself—more than competition, travel, or hostile opponents. **In simple terms:** Loving the game, not the competition. Key Takeaway Focus on what you love about the sport. Themes sports self‑discovery mindset Mood reflective calm Type personal motivational When to use this quote - personal training - morning routines - recreational play - team dynamics Key Concepts Intrinsic motivation environmental appreciation Questions to Reflect On - What elements of your activity bring you joy? - How can you structure your involvement to minimize negative aspects? A Different Perspective Competitive pressure can diminish enjoyment for some players. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competitive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competitive/) [Golf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golf/) [Golf love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golf-love/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) [Travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travel/) ## Related quotes > [I love to be competitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/redfoo/i-love-to-be-competitive/) [Redfoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/redfoo/) > [I played competitive golf all my life. Then all of a sudden, when I quit playing the game, I've got all this spare time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/i-played-competitive-golf-all-my-life-then-all-of-a-sudden-when-i/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [Obviously, anybody in the NBA would love to be on a competitive squad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lopez/obviously-anybody-in-the-nba-would-love-to-be-on-a-competitive-squad/) [Robin Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lopez/) > [Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course... the space between your ears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-jones/competitive-golf-is-played-mainly-on-a-five-and-a-half-inch-course/) [Bobby Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-jones/) > [You love the competitive one-on-one aspect, where you look across the net, and you're trying to beat your opponent. You're doing everything you physically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-barty/you-love-the-competitive-one-on-one-aspect-where-you-look-across-the/) [Ashleigh Barty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-barty/) > [I love playing competitive golf because it's really the only thing left that I'm still pretty good at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-fish/i-love-playing-competitive-golf-because-it-s-really-the-only-thing/) [Mardy Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-fish/) > [I've always wanted to see how far I could take my competitive golf, but I didn't want to sit and wait for things. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-smoltz/i-ve-always-wanted-to-see-how-far-i-could-take-my-competitive-golf/) [John Smoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-smoltz/) > [With cycling, I can still be active and compete, and ultimately, that's what I love to do, to be competitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oksana-masters/with-cycling-i-can-still-be-active-and-compete-and-ultimately-that-s/) [Oksana Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oksana-masters/) > [When the ball goes up in the air, I'm ready to play, I love the competitive side of it, but that's not who I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-hill/when-the-ball-goes-up-in-the-air-i-m-ready-to-play-i-love-the/) [George Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-hill/) > [I love that I'm competitive as fuck. I walk the walk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-that-i-m-competitive-as-fuck-i-walk-the-walk/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can accomplish all those. It's really awkward, kind of, for me coming out here and being in a competitive golf atmosphere. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-curry/i-can-accomplish-all-those-it-s-really-awkward-kind-of-for-me-coming/) [Stephen Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-curry/) > [I'm a competitive guy, and I love the competitive nature of video games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/i-m-a-competitive-guy-and-i-love-the-competitive-nature-of-video-games/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [All I ever wanted to do was play competitive golf against the best players in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/all-i-ever-wanted-to-do-was-play-competitive-golf-against-the-best/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [I happen to love Chase Daniel. I love his competitive zeal, how smart he is, how knowledgeable he is about the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dorsey/i-happen-to-love-chase-daniel-i-love-his-competitive-zeal-how-smart/) [John Dorsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dorsey/) > [I can sit here and hit all the balls and chip and putt all day long, but if you're not playing competitive golf... there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-daly/i-can-sit-here-and-hit-all-the-balls-and-chip-and-putt-all-day-long/) [John Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-daly/) ## More by Paige Spiranac > [Whenever I'm stressed out or having a bad day, the one thing that gets me happy or back into like a good place of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/whenever-i-m-stressed-out-or-having-a-bad-day-the-one-thing-that-gets/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [People seem to think I got where I am because of the clothes that I wear. That's unfair to me and unfair to all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/people-seem-to-think-i-got-where-i-am-because-of-the-clothes-that-i/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [I'm not refined, I'm raw and real and I wear what I want and I have always been so different and golf is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/i-m-not-refined-i-m-raw-and-real-and-i-wear-what-i-want-and-i-have/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [I always feel like an outcast... it's just always been very different to everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/i-always-feel-like-an-outcast-it-s-just-always-been-very-different-to/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [Every child thrives on encouragement, but beware of forcing it. I've seen too many family relationships crumble because of excessive ambition on the course…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/every-child-thrives-on-encouragement-but-beware-of-forcing-it-i-ve/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [I'm not ashamed of my social media following, my Sports Illustrated swimsuit shoot, or the tough time I had in my LPGA debut, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/i-m-not-ashamed-of-my-social-media-following-my-sports-illustrated/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [Almost every woman I've met has encountered bullying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/almost-every-woman-i-ve-met-has-encountered-bullying/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [The numbers don't lie, so make sure to come in with an open mind when it comes to building your bag. For example, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/the-numbers-don-t-lie-so-make-sure-to-come-in-with-an-open-mind-when/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [The ability to act as a role model shouldn't depend on owning a pile of trophies. Instead, we should look at role models as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/the-ability-to-act-as-a-role-model-shouldn-t-depend-on-owning-a-pile/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [I always seek people's approval and I'm always never good enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/i-always-seek-people-s-approval-and-i-m-always-never-good-enough/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [But if I feel comfortable swinging in a short skirt or shorts, if I feel athletic and strong and confident, I can do that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/but-if-i-feel-comfortable-swinging-in-a-short-skirt-or-shorts-if-i/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [Growing up, I had a hair condition where my hair would fall out easily, and I had bad asthma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/growing-up-i-had-a-hair-condition-where-my-hair-would-fall-out-easily/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [The gymnastics community is toxic. You just do what they say no matter what. It's really scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/the-gymnastics-community-is-toxic-you-just-do-what-they-say-no-matter/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [Turns out, the enjoyment I receive from growing the game through content creation and collaborations, and the work I do with the Cybersmile Foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/turns-out-the-enjoyment-i-receive-from-growing-the-game-through/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [I want to be less of a role model and more of a mentor. I don't ever want kids to put me on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/i-want-to-be-less-of-a-role-model-and-more-of-a-mentor-i-don-t-ever/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) [Explore all 70 Paige Spiranac quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) ## More Competitive quotes > [If life were like a competitive race, some people would be given a flying start and others would line up with weights tied to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-grothe/if-life-were-like-a-competitive-race-some-people-would-be-given-a/) [Mardy Grothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-grothe/) > [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/) [Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [My dad is a competitive guy. That's a part of me. It's just a certain drive, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/my-dad-is-a-competitive-guy-that-s-a-part-of-me-it-s-just-a-certain/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I was a serious competitive figure skater and still ice-skate as much as I can. Anyway, I once brought a date to the rink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-serratos/i-was-a-serious-competitive-figure-skater-and-still-ice-skate-as-much/) [Christian Serratos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-serratos/) > [Don't compare your career to anyone else's. It's tough when you're in a business that's competitive. I was having a difficult time with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-brooks/don-t-compare-your-career-to-anyone-else-s-it-s-tough-when-you-re-in/) [Danielle Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-brooks/) > [In any competitive environment, whether you're in sales or marketing or whatever it is, you have to know your competition, understand who they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-moses/in-any-competitive-environment-whether-you-re-in-sales-or-marketing/) [Edwin Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-moses/) > [I just love this sport and it's so competitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-coleman/i-just-love-this-sport-and-it-s-so-competitive/) [Christian Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-coleman/) > [Everyone must be in the same competitive situation, including on the fiscal level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/everyone-must-be-in-the-same-competitive-situation-including-on-the/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [I've always been competitive and determined. It's part of my personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-simmonds/i-ve-always-been-competitive-and-determined-it-s-part-of-my/) [Ellie Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-simmonds/) > [Uruguayans are competitive, and we always want to win. Even though we try to hide it, it is impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-godin/uruguayans-are-competitive-and-we-always-want-to-win-even-though-we/) [Diego Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-godin/) > [I'm quite competitive. Not with other models but with myself. I have to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arizona-muse/i-m-quite-competitive-not-with-other-models-but-with-myself-i-have-to/) [Arizona Muse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arizona-muse/) > [I'll miss the competitive side and the camaraderie of being around the players and competing each and every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-ll-miss-the-competitive-side-and-the-camaraderie-of-being-around/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [We always want to see each other do well. And I think we all want to win. As competitive as you are, you always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-brown/we-always-want-to-see-each-other-do-well-and-i-think-we-all-want-to/) [Antonio Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-brown/) > [Any physical practice can be a competitive sport. What level you can take postures to create the maximum challenge and show your maximum skill,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajashree-choudhury/any-physical-practice-can-be-a-competitive-sport-what-level-you-can/) [Rajashree Choudhury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajashree-choudhury/) [Browse all 1,008 Competitive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competitive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It wasn't until last year that I figured out the problem: I just don't love competitive golf. What I love is the game itself. I love being outdoors, practicing, and smelling the freshly cut grass at 6:00 a.m. as the sun rises. But I didn't love travel, or pressure, or the mean-spiritedness of my competitors.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paige Spiranac" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/it-wasn-t-until-last-year-that-i-figured-out-the-problem-i-just-don-t/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Competitive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/it-wasn-t-until-last-year-that-i-figured-out-the-problem-i-just-don-t/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06d/paige-spiranac-9801_golf_it-wasn-t-until-last-year-that-i-figured_1730499.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06d/paige-spiranac-9801_golf_it-wasn-t-until-last-year-that-i-figured_1730499.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06d/paige-spiranac-9801_golf_it-wasn-t-until-last-year-that-i-figured_1730499.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It wasn't until last year that I figured out the problem: I just don't love competitive golf. What I love is…” — Paige Spiranac", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Paige Spiranac", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It wasn't until last year that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/it-wasn-t-until-last-year-that-i-figured-out-the-problem-i-just-don-t/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/it-wasn-t-until-last-year-that-i-figured-out-the-problem-i-just-don-t/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```