“Golf is like taxes. You drive hard to make the green, then end up in the hole” is a jocular saying that has been printed on wall signs. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1952 and is of unknown authorship.
   
 
17 July 1952, Pocahontas (IA) Record-Democrat, pg. 2, col. 2:
Watching those fellows play reminds me that golf is a lot like taxes—you drive hard to get to the green and then wind up in a hole.
 
27 August 1953, Aberdeen (SD) American-News, “Today’s Chuckle,” pg. 1, col. 1:
Golf is like taxes. You drive hard to get to the “green” and then wind up in the hole.
 
Google Books
Braude’s Handbook of Stories for Toastmasters and Speakers
By Jacob Morton Braude
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall
1975, ©1957
Pg. 156:
Golf is a lot like taxes — you drive hard to get to the green and then wind up in the hole.
 
19 April 1981, Dallas (TX) Morning News, “Northern Texas Golf News” by James McAfee and Harvey Johnson, pg. 2B, col. 7:
Golf is like taxes—you drive hard to get the green and then wind up in the hole.
 
Google Books
14,000 Quips & Quotes:
For Speakers, Writers, Editors, Preachers, and Teachers
By E. C. McKenzie
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House
1990, ©1980
Pg. 211:
Golf is a lot like taxes — you drive hard to get to the green and then wind up in the hole.
   
Google Books
Golf Is ...:
Defining the Great Game
By Paul Dickson
Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, Inc.
2012
Pg. 11:
“Golf is like taxes. You drive hard to make the green—then, end up in a hole.
 
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12:52 PM - 8 Jul 2014