Yes, that means you (and me)!
Bother me tomorrow, today I’ll find no sorrow…
I’m always finding ways that golf is analogous to life. My poor friends and family, “Ugh, another, golf reference?” So this column is as much life as golf. But, hey, for me there’s pretty much a blurry line at best between the two! So, dear reader, as you’re a friend here, one I use a lot: At some point, you have to hit the ball.
How many times do we ponder, hem/haw, kvetch and drive ourselves (and others) to distraction over choices in life, work and relationships? Sure, we need “practice swings” and the proper “setup”. But at some point, that club needs to get to the ball. You’ve seen that player on the course. The waggles forever, practice swing after practice swing, then one more waggle for good measure until finally…SLICE!!! I see it with clients, such angst over minutia that end-users will never notice. To be clear, I’m not advocating against practice, preparedness, or contemplation on and off the course, they’re all essential. But ultimately, we have to take action on the tee box that is life.
I love the Dustin Johnson quote “I just hit shots. Wherever it goes, it goes”. I can recall many rounds where I’ve ended up with an awful lie off the tee and a playing partner will advise just dropping, offering to give me that one. While I appreciate the generosity I find getting out of the weeds (sometimes literally) is really good for my head and game and sure, sometimes it’s a hosel rocket and I have to try again. A bit like life, right? When I look back from the other side of a half century I find I’m way more inclined to regret the chances I didn’t take. That hesitation or timidity that could have changed my trajectory. This blog is a prime example. I’m not a professional writer (you’ve probably figured that out by now!) and I pondered putting my thoughts out there for way too long. But for me golf has been so much more than a game, it’s a part of my life. So if one person reads my words and gets something out of it, that’s a birdie in my book. And if you think it sucks, that’s certainly your right; but get your own damn blog! Kidding, kidding…
I was recently paired with a stranger and after the round he asked if I was in any rush to get back or if I’d like to hang and grab a beer. As we sat discussing our round the conversation turned into more life story than golf. At one point he told me “I really feel like golf saved me” which blew me away, having just published my own tale of how this incredible game got me through dark times. Here we were, two complete strangers – but after a round it never feels that way – telling our own stories yet the subject was almost word-for-word the same. That’s why I do this site, why I put out my journey out there. That’s why I hit the ball, let it roll where it may and play it where it lies. As the saying goes, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!
Hit ’em straight my friends,
