"If you think golf is relaxing, you're not…

British-American actor Bob Hope (1903-2003) loved golf; the Bob Hope Classic was named after him. Hope is frequently credited for having said:

“If you think golf is relaxing, you’re not playing it right.”

It’s not clear when (or if) Hope said this. “Golf Is Relaxing—If You Can Relax” is a story that appeared in the New York (NY) Times magazine in 1958, but the quote is not there. “One of his (Bob Hope’s—ed.) favorite observations about the game is posted on a sign: ‘If you think golf is relaxing, you’re not playing ft right’” was cited in print in 2005.

Wikipedia: Bob Hope
Leslie Townes “Bob” Hope, KBE, KC*SG, KSS (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003), was an British-American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer, dancer, athlete, and author. With a career spanning nearly 80 years, Hope appeared in over 70 films and shorts, including a series of “Road” movies also starring Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. In addition to hosting the Academy Awards 19 times (more than any other host), he appeared in many stage productions and television roles and was the author of fourteen books. The song “Thanks for the Memory” is widely regarded as Hope’s signature tune.

18 May 1958, New York (NY) Times, magazine, pg. 42, col. 1:
Golf Is Relaxing—If You Can Relax:
A survey shows that it is best played in a vacuum by people with private incomes and no wives, children, neuroses, guilts, aggressions or compulsions.
By Gilbert Millstein

31 January 2005, Joplin (MO) Globe, “Leonard wins Hope” (AP), pg. 3B, col. 3:
One of his (Bob Hope’s—ed.) favorite observations about the game is posted on a sign: “If you think golf is relaxing, you’re not playing ft right.”

Twitter
gowfing
‏@Gowfing
#fungowfing: “If you think golf is relaxing, you’re not playing it right.” - Bob Hope
5:22 AM - 22 Sep 2009

Google Books
Golf Is ...:
Defining the Great Game
By Paul Dickson
Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, Inc.
2012
Pg. 94:
BOB HOPE
If you think golf is relaxing, you’re not playing it right.
—On a sign at the tournament that bears his name.

29 January 2014, Wall Street Journal, “Whoever Said Golf Was Supposed to Be Fun?” by CHristian Chewnsvold, pg. A15:
“If you think golf is relaxing,” Bob Hope once said, “you’re not playing it right.”

Google Books
Palm Springs Golf:
A History of Coachella Valley Legends & Fairways
By Larry Bohannan
Charleston, SC: The History Press
2015
Pg. 67:
“If you think golf is relaxing, you’re not doing it right.”

Twitter
National Club Golfer
‏@NCGmagazine
“If you think golf is relaxing, you’re not playing it right”.. The Top 10 best golf quotes!
http://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/articles/article/top-10-best-golf-quotes.html …
8:01 AM - 2 Apr 2016