Golf Wisdom (1)

Alcott, Amy

“Golf is a spiritual game. It’s like Zen; you have to let your mind take over.”

Comments

There is a close connection between the body, the mind, and the soul when it comes to playing golf.  That’s why Zen may play a pivotal role in golf success.

Zen can affect your body, mind, and soul because it forms a link with science, religion, and philosophy—they may contribute to your golf success.

First of all, Zen is spiritual, but not a religion; it does not impose on anyone to believe in a particular version of God. As a matter of fact, Zen encourages opening of your mind, and therefore allows you to be more receptive to the spirituality of Zen and, accordingly, more open to the spiritual benefits associated with Zen.

In addition, Zen is more of a philosophy than a religion. As such, it embraces eternal truths (e.g. the Eight Noble Truths), and intrinsic human values (e.g. compassion and loving-kindness) that promote emotional wellness of the mind and the soul.

Furthermore, Zen is practical and easy to incorporate. Zen is easy to acquire and assimilate: all it requires of you is a willingness to open to experience and to practice meditation consistently. Medical science has already vindicated the health benefits of meditation and its salutary effects on the body, the mind, and the soul. Through meditation, Zen can train your mind to focus on the present moment. This mindfulness is critical to your golf success—before, during, and after your golf swing

Cotton, Henry, about British Open Champion, Harry Vardon

“He would not play any course twice in the same day. Why not? Because he was so accurate, that in his second round, his shots finished in the divot holes he had made in the morning, and that took the fun out of the game.”

“I wouldn’t advise any professional golfer to marry before the age of thirty. Marriage means a division of interests, and golf, particularly tournament golf, demands all your time.”

Comments

Golf is a fun game, but it demands a lot of mental focus and concentration. If you decide not only to enjoy the game but also to turn it into a golf success career, then you do have to make some sacrifice.

Stephen Lau