Golf As Life and Vice Versa
It is very simply the greatest test in sports. To play it well and treat it with the respect it deserves is synonymous with life. Now, a lot of you may wonder how this could ever relate to the rearing of kids. I’ll explain. It makes no difference whether you play the game or not. It is worth your while as parents to educate yourself on the principles of the rules of Golf, written or implied. They mirror the rules of life. Golf is self governing. In other words, you call the penalties on yourself. If you play within the rules you will have a better round, regardless of the score. If you cheat to win, well, you will always know it. Lot’s of others will too, they just won’t call you on it, usually. That’s your job.
When your playing partners are hitting, you are supposed to be still and quiet. That is decorum, which means polite, which equates to respect. You keep your own score and attest it at the end of the round. You sign your card, you put your word on it. If your score is wrong and you sign the card and turn it in, it can’t be undone. You can’t replay the round. You can only try to do better next time. Them’s the rules. You have to live with it. There is no excuse because it is your responsibility to validate that your word is good. You have time to go over the card before you decide to sign it. You don’t have to rush. It takes a long time, if you ever do , to undo things or even come close. That’s life. You can tell a lot about a person’s character by their behavior on a golf course, especially in competition. That can mean a tournament or a friendly weekly round played for a few bucks. The game reeks of integrity. The rules don’t demand honesty, they expect it. It is a choice. It is about how you treat not only your fellow playing partner/man but yourself.
Golf can be the most fun a human can have in its own way. Like any good thing, too much can be destructive. There is a distinct line. When you consider the game in its entirety it is quite beautiful. Not only is it a metaphor for life, if played correctly it teaches far reaching lessons. Golf provides healthy benefits through its physical “nature”.
Nature….golf courses are outdoors. You are spending time not only in the company of friends (usually) but also in the company of Nature. Birds are singing and the grass is green and manicured, at least for the better players that stay out of the rough more than I. Those players have worked their butts off to put themselves in the fairway consistently. When you get out of the fairway in daily living, things get a little rough. The worse you play/live, the rougher it gets. Makes you want to work to get better so as not to spend so much time in the “rough”. Work is key. Makes fun…well…funner!
Not every kid gets the opportunity to experience this wonderful game firsthand due to various reasons, mostly socio-economic. That is slowly being remedied. Organizations like First Tee and the Tiger Woods Foundation are shining examples of how golf is reaching the masses. I am thankful for that. I should do more. I wish every kid that may be even a little inclined would be able to experience the valuable lessons that “The Greatest Game” teaches. We’d all be better off. Talk to you soon.
