The Top 10 Life Lessons from Golf

Golf is an amazing mirror of life. Yes, other sports provide life lessons as well, but golf happens to be my favorite sport and the one I understand the best. It is an addiction, a mystical experience, a test of character, an escape, a source of rare joy and excruciating pain. No psychological test will tell you as much about a person's character as a round of golf. With the arrival of spring, here are some of my observations about golf and the game of life:

1. Expectations & Flexibility. Golf, like life, is not mastered in a season, and it is particularly frustrating if we approach it with stiff and inflexible expectations. Great golf begins with stretching, bending, loosening up, and matching my desired outcomes with the realities of a body grown lazy over the winter. A sense of humor, and a sprinkling of humility go a long way!

2. Clarity of Purpose. Many golfers never stop to think about why they play the game. To win? To have fun? For social reasons, or for the challenge? For the exercise? Just as striving to become rich and famous often creates frustration and disappointment, few will ever play professionally, and striving for perfection is a setup for "failure". Know why you play the game and where you find your satisfaction and joy in it.

3. Equipment. Most golfers play with clubs that don't fit them, or that no longer suit their games. Graphite shafts and new club designs have revolutionized golf. Active golfers should have their clubs checked for loft, lie, and length, and have them re-gripped every season. Almost any job is easier with the right tools.

4. Solid Foundations. Golfers go to extremes. Some take lesson after lesson, trying to fix the tiniest flaw in their quest for the perfect swing. Others, ignore the classic foundations of grip, stance and swing in their eagerness to "do it my way." Success is usually found in a healthy balance of learning from the wisdom and experience of others, while celebrating your unique style and approach to the game.

5. Profitable Practice. On the day of a big tournament, I often go to the practice green and watch skilled, dedicated golfers practice missing putts. With a small crowd milling about, they quickly hit putt after putt, destroying their rhythm, timing and confidence. Then, in frustration, they wonder what ever happened to their carefully honed putting stroke! In golf, and in life, practice smart. Practice for success!

6. Smart Preparation. Tour players always play practice rounds. Ben Hogan used to walk the course at twilight before a tournament to learn all it's hidden tricks and traps. Top players rehearse every shot in their imagination before going to the course. They prepare in advance so they are ready when the moment of truth arrives. It pays off.

7. Show up. The biggest challenge for many Nike Tour and other young players is to play their best golf without a nickel in their pocket, often lonely and far from home. They have reasons to be distracted. What are your excuses? Ram Das said, "Be here now." In golf, and in life, it's hard to win if you don't show up, or only show up for every-other swing!

8. Warm up. Every great athlete, the ones in the best physical and mental shape, respect their bodies enough to loosen up, stretch and rehearse before competition. Unfortunately, most amateurs don't go to all that trouble. We jump out of the car, grab the clubs, and head for the first tee. Before any important event, arrive early, walk around, relax, and warm up to the task at hand.

9. Focus on Results. Every golf stroke creates a result. Sometimes the ball goes in the hole; sometimes it goes out of bounds. Golfers tend to focus (1) on the result they would have preferred, which is merely wishful thinking, or (2) on beating themselves up for being so "stupid", which is painful. Learn from every swing. Observe the results you actually get. Life never lies!

10. Review and Adjust. If you aren't getting the results you want, find the reason. You can trust the ball; it goes where you hit it. If you want a different outcome, change your setup, routine, or other actions until you get the result you prefer. Someone said, "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is a mark of insanity." Successful people learn quickly; others learn eventually.

Have a marvelous day and a wonderFULL week, and I'll see you on the links!

© Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com

---

One Out of Two Golfers Will Have a Golf Swing Related Injury - Can You Prevent Yours?

I have a friend who blew out his ACL in his left knee while playing old man basketball. Old man being relative. A bunch of guys playing... Read More

5 Golf Facts That Will Change Your Game

Are you seeing the same decrease in your handicap that reflects your hard work and efforts? Do you consistently fall short on your drives or feel exhausted... Read More

Golf Vacation Schools ? Choose the Perfect Golf School Vacation for Your Game

Golf Schools, like golfers, come in all shapes and sizes. Don't make the mistake of attending any golf vacation school. Do your homework and find the right... Read More

Golf Nutrition Is Not An Oxymoron - Listen Up

Golf nutrition is still a relatively new concept. However, everybody knows that leading athletes in the NBA and NFL quite often have special diets and specific nutrition... Read More

Golf Swing Trainer - What Is It?

Golf swing trainer is a term you might think of for a training aid that works on your golf swing. I've come up with a new definition... Read More

Play Better Golf Through Exercise

Play better golf. Isn't that what every golfer thinks about 24/7? Golf can be the most humbling game you will ever play?but we keep coming back for... Read More

Important Mental Perspective For The Senior Golfer

One would be hard pressed to find an individual who isn't feeling an increase in stress and anxiety in these troubled world times. Both domestically and abroad,... Read More

5 Sure Fire Ways to Build a more Powerful and Pain-FREE Golf Game

Until recently being physically fit was of little concern to most golfers, but the tides of changes have recently taken hold of the golf world and only... Read More

Secret Sneaky Tactic To Get A Complete Used Golf Club Sets On A Discount With Auction Sites

Have you experienced this when you're bidding on ebay or other auction site? You bid on an item, lets say used golf club sets, you put you're... Read More

Guide to Playing Golf for Free and Getting Huge Discounts on Golf Balls, Golf Gloves, and Golf Stuff

If you love to play golf as much as most golf enthusiasts, you would probably play more if the great game of golf and most golf equipment... Read More

Secret 7 Necessities for Great Golf

The game of golf can be difficult when you consider all of the individual elements. Most golfers are overwhelmed with information regarding which tips will benefit their... Read More

Perform Better Golf By Training Your Body

What will it take to get you to perform better golf? I'll bet you've tried the gimmicky golf training aids. Did they work? How about equipment? How... Read More

The Basic Golf Swing Is Pure Physics

If you've been on a golf course and have tried to use all your strength in the basic golf swing so that you hit the ball as... Read More

Using A Golf Fitness Video Will Save Time And Improve Your Game

Using a golf fitness video is a great alternative to going to a gym. Just think of the time you're saving not worrying about what you where... Read More

Myrtle Beach Golf Packages - What to Know Before You Go

There is a lot of money in the Myrtle Beach golf package market. Unfortunately, like any other opportunity, this can bring out scam artists and bad business... Read More

Understanding The Rotary Nature of The Golf Swing

The golf swing is really a rotary movement in nature. Actually part of the real secret behind the perfect golf swing has to do with a golfer... Read More

What A Good Golf Workout Program Should Have

Golf workout program?with the exploding number of so-called golf experts these days it becomes very confusing and it is easy for a golfer to be misled and... Read More

Are You Wearing the Right Golf Shoes When You Golf?

For those of you that golf you know that golf shoes are an integral part of the game. Not only do you need the support and comfort... Read More

The Golfing Greats - Arnold Palmer

Arnold Palmer, General of Arnie's Army, was speaking of golf, but he could have been describing his own life when he said, "Success in golf depends less... Read More

Can A Golfer Do Without Golf Fitness And Exercise

Just how important is golf fitness and exercise to a golfer today in the modern game? Can a good amateur or even professional golfer do without it... Read More

The Cost/Benefit Analysis

There is a very useful method that many accountants use called "The cost/benefit analysis". You may be familiar with it. The analysis is done to cut the... Read More

Why Do You ?Not Benefit? From Coaching Golf Tips

Most golfers have had dozens of opportunities to receive coaching golf tips from numerous sources. However the most interesting aspect of it all is that many are... Read More

How A Golf Trainer Can Take Your Game To The Next Level

Having a golf trainer in your corner to give you guidance, motivation and ongoing, cutting-edge golf fitness information will put you leaps and bounds above your playing... Read More

Getting to the Core of the Problem with Your Golf Game

How do you fix it? Well, there's no magic core strength pill or patch. It takes some good, old-fashioned flexibility training and exercise. Now, I'm not talking... Read More

Golf! How To Power That Drive Away

Anyone who tells you, that he or she would not like to hit the golf ball further is either a liar, or Tiger Woods.Drive for show and... Read More

Can a Stability Ball Help You Strengthen Your Core For Golf?

Some call it a Swiss Ball, some call it a fitness ball, others use the more modern term 'stability ball.' Whatever you call it, the stability ball... Read More