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 Cherishing the moments of comfort and friendship on a course is what makes the game great (PHOTO: Susan Wong - fotolia.com). Having spent the better part of the past 30 years at a golf course, I’ve taken part in more than my share of golf talk. The topics are typically similar. Some players labor over their score or a poor shot. Others complain about the condition of the greens or pace of play. There are many complaints we can have, but don’t you play the game because of the way it makes you feel? It could be the way the wind feels as it blows through your hair or how the sun warms your face. It could be the way the architect used the topography to create a beautiful design. Or maybe it’s the feeling of hitting a perfect shot and having it fly as you pictured it in your mind. Do any of those things bring you joy? Golf is playing a series of shots over 18 individual holes. Each hole requires you to execute a series of shots to complete the hole. Each shot is an equally important part of the round. The game feels best when you’re not thinking about the outcome and allowing your best performance to flow naturally. It’s the feeling of freedom that allows you to play your best, whether you’re playing a casual round or competing in the U.S. Open. I spend a lot of time with great players, and we rarely discuss score. The conversation is more about the feeling of comfort that allows them to play their best during intense competition. This feeling of comfort is something that every player could benefit from. When we look back on our lives, we likely won’t think about a lost bet or a missed 3-foot putt. And I don’t think major champions will be thinking about how they spent their prize money. I believe they will ultimately remember the joy they received from how the game felt. Jamie Mulligan is chief operating officer and an award-winning PGA professional at Long Beach’s Virginia Country Club. |
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