Golf: What's It All Fore?

Because I'd never envisioned this blog to be random musings, or forced and uninspired, I've been far removed mentally from updating the progress of my game.  The irony, though, is I've played more golf in a shorter time period than ever before.

Over the course of the last two weeks I've managed to get five rounds of 18 in, although a few days it felt far less than golf.  Coming off my best round, ball striking wise, I entered this weekend with optimism and excitement.  But because I know this game is humbling to say the least, I was cautious to get ahead of myself.  Maybe I should have because after my most recent round, my mechanics left me hooking and thinning irons all day.

I was left baffled.  My friend thought I played well, but for some reason the round didn't feel good at all.  Perhaps it was the 101 I mustered up, but afterwards I had a hard time recalling well struck golf shots.  Sure, there was a solid sand shot on 18; some decent, albeit average, drives early on; a few pars sprinkled in amongst a penalty laden day; and one drawing 8-Iron that would have been stellar if only it were a seven.  

Taking in a few cold ones after the round, I felt compelled to declare to my playing partners, "I have to stop taking golf so seriously."  Because honestly, this game is wearing on me.  The joy was being sucked out of me, which is unacceptable due to the love I have for this game.  Golf is supposed to be cherished for all the qualities "outside the lines": beautiful scenery, great company alongside, good cardiovascular activity, and many more I am probably forgetting.  

But considering the time I've been devoting, shouldn't I becoming more consistent?  Should my last five rounds look like this: 95, 100, 96, 88, 101?  After looking at these scores, perhaps the 88 was an anomaly. Maybe I'm just a hacker aiming to hit in the high 90s or low 100s.   But it's just this attitude that leads to crappy golf and endless frustrations.

Golf demands our best at every moment.  And allowing our thoughts to wonder off into the abyss, only to discover them hanging around with poor influences like, "you're terrible", or, "you're wasting your time", leads to more bad golf.  It's this aspect that attracts me back each time.  If this game were easy, we'd all be doing it, and quite well for that matter.

But it isn't.  The most incredible feature of this game is that it builds its players' characters up while showcasing a parallel of life.  

In the beginning, hackers struggle and curse their way around the course.  They throw fits and sometimes clubs and, overall, create an unenjoyable day for everyone around them.  (Our temper at its finest.)  

Slowly, if they're committed, their game improves and their mentality shifts to an understanding that strong composure brings better results.  Suddenly a poorly struck ball is just that.  And the attitude of its striker moves on to the next shot with an acceptance of what happened.  They punch out from behind a tree rather than go for it all, settling for a double bogey rather than a blowup hole.  (Sometimes life isn't fair.)  

Finally, they have an amazing round and look back to relive the moments.  Their journey was one of fairways and greens with smart decisions and focused determination.  Getting from point A to point B seems like such a short line and in doing, was actually relaxing.  (With a little hard work, we all can attain what we're after.)  

Golf doesn't have to be about scores.  Playing well is about remaining calm and concentrated.  If done correctly, the experience can be therapeutic and spiritual.  Don't worry, I won't get all profound on the meaning of golf.  It's just that in order to continually play this game and accept the ebbs and flows it has in store, a greater purpose is required.

For me, that greater purpose is the person it allows me to become off the course.  Composed, patient, strategically focused, and driven on any task at hand.

Maybe I won't always see results at the end of each round, but realizing this is just another juncture in the process.  

And if it helps me for next time, I'll accept it.

Hours of practice: 475 

Comments

[Brian Connelly]

Excellent post. You just discribed what keeps me from going straight to the 19th hole in life.
Keep the faith brother.