Golf is walking around shooting the shit with your friends, being outside, drinking, and enjoying the sun. Stripped of it's social and ecological implications i get it. You're just fucking around, being outside, being with friends. You've got a skill based game with lots of doodads you can build mastery in, or you can just say fuck it and hit the ball.
I think the appeal is similar to mini-golf, just on a macro scale.
That's why disc golf is kinda a good replacement. It's a walk outside with friends, but it can be in smaller spaces, doesn't need reserved space, and can even be in places where it's lightly wooded.
I agree but because throwing a frisbee is the only athletic thing ive ever been ok at. I sucked at Ultimate significantly less than other sports. Well actually now that im remembering i had a thing when i tried baseball that i was always pretty accurate with a bat, but couldnt run fast enough to get oh base. Or do literally anything on defense.
But with golf, while i can putt ok but i cant drive the ball literally at all.
I think you've got the right idea. A lot of the people I know that are into golf just like hanging out outside with friends. Sure a few of them are well off, but I think the appeal as you age and have kids has more to do with being the 'third place'.