I agree taking a course is a good thing. All of us learn differently and have unique circumstances. I too took an ASA course when I was starting out and it was a great experience. I guess for me it is like any other interest, how far and how deep do you want the knowledge to go. At this stage I spend a lot of time trying to develop skills. A few years ago I wanted to be comfortable to charter. One of the things I most like about sailing is that it is one of those sports / hobbies that you can spend a life time to explore and experience or it can be a part time interest.

Above all else: enjoy and explore at your own pace and interest. The rest of us are just "talking heads".