Thoughts on Golf (Part 1)

A good number of Manila Rotarians play golf, and it is always a joy playing with them. Golf fellowship games and fun tournaments are always something that RCM golfers look forward to.

Golf has always fascinated me. I picked up the sport in the middle of 1997, and regularly played (once a week) for a couple of years. I stopped in 2001 until 2003, then played again on an irregular basis from 2004 to 2008. I played particularly well in 2005-2006, and it was in fact in September 2006 when I made my first and, to date, my only hole-in-one. I again played irregularly in 2009 and eventually stopped sometime in 2010.

During the pandemic, in the last quarter of 2021, my wife and I decided to go back to golf after about 13 years. Golfing became our “weekend dates” during the woeful COVID era. But I was not able to really improve my game. Through luck, though, I managed to bring home two trophies since then -- one from a Rotary Golf Tournament at Villamor (my flight mates were Manila Rotarians Romy Nones and Mike Roxas), and another from a San Beda Golf event at Valley Golf. I also got a nearest to the pin award during an invitational golf tournament at Manila Southwoods. Other than that, my games have been average to bad; sometimes epically bad. In fine, gaining a good measure of consistency in ball striking is still elusive to me.

I concede that I am not a naturally gifted athlete and will most likely continue to struggle as a “forever beginner” golfer. But I nonetheless love playing the sport – for its health benefits, for the fellowship, for the laughs, for the banter, for the good and memorable times in the fairway with my wife and with my friends.

As many golfers know, to be really good at it, as in any sport, one needs to invest time and diligently train. One needs to understand that the most important golf equipment every player possesses is his body. Maintaining a good physical condition is therefore a must. I am also told that to become a good golfer, driving range sessions must be done religiously (at least twice a week), coupled with at least once a week fairway game. Am I able to do this without fail? No. My schedule does not allow it. So, to be realistic, I do not entertain any illusion or expectation of becoming a great ball striker.

Playing golf has taught me a lot of things, among them being the interconnected lessons of humility, perseverance, of not losing one’s focus, and of simply enjoying the game. Many golfers, me included, are drawn to the sport because of the valuable lessons it imparts. As already mentioned, it teaches perseverance. It also schools you to be patient and humble. As a mind game, it trains you to look beyond the traps and hazards, and single mindedly aim for the pin. It pushes you to block off all environmental distractions and concentrate on the shot you are about to make. Losing your cool and focus almost certainly engenders devastating and disastrous results. The added lesson, therefore, is to simply enjoy the moment, savor the fellowship, and appreciate the beautiful environ enveloping you.

Focus. Be patient. Persevere. Enjoy the moment. Golf will definitely be much more fun if these lessons are put to heart.

(Part II Next Week)