[@Garattee], the appeal of golf is to provide older men, usually, even more so those who style themselves as having reached a notable point of achievement in life often by virtue of their working history, a sport that is still competitive and largely skilled based without being too physically demanding. Likewise, it can be enjoyed by their general peers or superiors as a way to instill bonding and endearment. It is also used as an avenue of escape to avoid conflicts outside its normal associations, such as by letting one put either their mind at ease just through repetition, effect of practice, conversation and for the satisfaction of executing aggression by the virtue of striking. 

Golf itself also comes with a plethora of accessories and allows for competition even among its equipment, just by quality and make alone, as well as common ground of discussion among its usual age bracket. A golf bag with a number of clubs and the opportunity to play often might be viewed as that person being more successful than someone who owns only the minimum and plays infrequently. It could be seen as a measured form of "success" and something to do instead of being "idle" or left to activities that would be considered more boring.

Mind you I have never so much as played it, but my first hand experiences and observations in having been present for it seems to suggest at least this much.

What is the appeal of people calling themselves, "insane", "random" or "evil"? I level this predominantly at the internet and its various communities, but why and what draw exists and what purpose does it [i]actually[/i] have? Is it an expedient way to develop an "identity", despite how positively cliché the effort is? Is it attempted endearment? Attempted excuse for behavior? Stereotypical angst? Immaturity? I ask this in particular because almost everyone has witnessed it, some even having done it.

I would prefer an actual attempted answer.