From the outside looking in, golf may seem like it's boring. A bunch of old men, one ball, a bag of clubs and a hole, about a few hundred yards long. Everyone says it's boring, so it must be, right? But unless you've actually played golf on a real course (mini-golf does not count) for an entire round, then how do you know it's boring?

As someone who enjoys playing golf, having someone who never plays call it "boring" is incredibly irritating.

Golf is more than just hitting a little white ball around a big grassy area for a few hours. It takes concentration, dedication and mental strength, unlike any other sport I've ever played.

Notice I just referred to golf as a "sport" and not a game or pastime. That's because it really is a sport. If you disagree, then why is it in the 2016 Olympics? Would there really be a "pastime" in the Olympics?

Sport or not, golf is fun. Nothing beats hitting one good shot the entire day because after that, all you'll want to do is hit more good shots. And when you do, nothing feels better. It's the pursuit of improvement that makes golf so addicting for me and the millions of other people across the world who play.

But, golf can also be frustrating if you're out playing on a day where your swing just isn't working. For some people, that struggle is enough to put away the clubs forever, but if you choose to persevere through the tough times with your swing, you will be rewarded. Finding your swing again and playing better than ever is the greatest gift any golfer can be given, no matter if you're a weekend warrior or a touring professional.

Those who claim golf is boring say that it's too slow. I guess I can understand that, but being outside and enjoying the fresh air, as cliche as that may sound, is undeniably refreshing. Being on a golf course gets you away from life for a little while, and that's certainly not boring.

If you're still complaining about golf being boring, you probably haven't tried hard enough to make it fun. Go out and play with friends and play each hole for money. Play on teams and make bets, maybe you'll end up with a free meal at the end of the round if you beat your friends. Maybe go to the course alone and get paired up with a stranger and get to know someone new.

But what makes golf so interesting isn't the game itself, but the people who you play the game with. Golf isn't meant to be played alone, but with friends and family. For me, playing on the school golf team made for some of the greatest memories in my high school years. The people you'll meet while playing golf, whether they be coaches, teammates or playing partners will become your friends, whether you want them to be or not because you all have one thing in common: the love of the game. So if you still think golf is boring, sorry, but you're missing out.