sportsfanIQ

I always knew the hardest aspect of this quest towards golf perfection would be how I articulated my thoughts here. To continually expand upon my experiences—a round of eighteen, a few hours on the range, or a reading on what's mentally needed to succeed in golf—and connect with my readers posed the greatest obstacle.

So as I sit here now, I feel that our relationship, in order to grow later on, must pause for a second.

I understand that my goal of golf perfection is somewhat far fetched. I say "somewhat" because I truly believe my capabilities allow me to reach a level only achieved through hard work and focused determination. I say "far fetched" because, by nature, I'm a realist. I realize the chances of playing alongside professional golfers are slim to none.

All of that said, know this: I will not give up. 

This admission/commitment is twofold. 

For one, whether you decide to remain a part of this ride or not, I ask that you keep in mind how much this journey means to me.  I've always believed that if you set your mind to something you will accomplish it and each moment I stand over a golf ball, it's this belief that fuels my subconscious thinking.  This endeavor is my chance to practice what I preach, so to speak.

But secondly, and definitely more importantly, it's my opportunity to make a difference. Through leading by example, I hope to inspire. Not just in golf, but for any goal or dream. Whether it's self-satisfaction or monetary gain, hard work equals great reward. There are no shorts cuts.

Furthermore, golf is much more than simply working on a craft or a game. The depths of golf's meaning become woven in your existence each time you seek its mastery, and understanding that a mastery of it may never come actually makes the road more enjoyable.

A quest by definition is a search or pursuit made in order to find or obtain something.What something relates to is unclear. Rather, it's customized to fit each individual differently. For me, it's the feeling of inner peace.

Life brings great challenges and playing golf doesn't solve them or enable us to hurdle our obstacles any easier. What it does, though, is create an outlet to find meaning in our surroundings.

The age old question has always been, "What's the meaning of life?" Although I'm not saying that golf is the meaning or that it will help you answer the question, I am implying it's a symbol of what's necessary to find those answers: in order to hit a good golf shot, you must find calmness within yourself; in order to live a good life, you must find peace. You may or may not ascribe to this philosophy, but the parallels do exist. I feel it's just a matter of experiencing them.

I promise that this forum will not become a philosophic platform about the meaning of life. I will remain concentrated on the task at hand; that is, to perfect my golf game.

It's just that, for only a moment, this explanation felt appropriate.  

And perhaps it's all a part of the process.

Hour of practice: 348