What does Zen have
to do with golfing in less than 4 hours?
You might think of trying to remain calm or at peace on the golf
course. Yes, this would be Zen for
yourself. The Zen referred in this
article has to do with providing calm throughout the entire golf course or an
outing of guys playing together on a Saturday morning. When you are reading the article for a moment
reflect on how your actions on the golf course are holistically an anti-Zen
like.
You are 14-handicap
player or maybe you are a 3-handicap about tee off number 1. You look down the fairway standing on the
tee. Stop! Look again…what do you see in front of
you? Maybe it's the trees on the right
or the water on the left or the one-hundred fifty yard marker in the middle of
the fairway. What do you see?
No one really
cares about the trees right or water left.
If you are in a Zen mindset, that stuff comes naturally. Why?
If you are really interested in getting in the Zen of golfing in 4 hours, you need to be aware of the other people around you. Yes, other golfers are watching you! Don't be the guy; that guy people talk about
for the entire round. First, why are
you that guy? Am I that guy?
Golfers who
score their best rounds and strike the ball the well while making a bunch of
putts. It is because they are golfing
when it's their time to play. Just the
other day watching the PGA Tour on television.
They played as a three-some. Two
players were in the fairway; the third was in high grass off to the left just
ahead. The group in front was still on
the green. So, what? The Zen-less thinking third player in the
high grass was standing around chatting with his caddy about who knows
what. In the meantime, the other two
players where getting yardage, checking wind, locating the pin, and even
watching the group putt out to get a read of the green. Mr. Zen-less still standing chatting with
his caddy stood and watched the other two players play their shots. He had not even located his golf ball and
two other players already hit their shot.
What's the big deal? Well, Mr. Zen-less was not really creating calm on
the course when it took about 3 minutes to locate his ball in the high
grass. In the meantime, the other two
players were already nearing the green.
Mr. Zen-less continued to create some tension in the group as he went
back to his bag again to get another club.
At this point, the other two players start talking about "that
guy", is that you?
You can help
create some calm and peace on the golf course by being prepared to play your
shot. When it's your turn you should
know where your ball is, the yardage, the club you are going to hit, and get
ready to go through your pre-shot routine.
Imagine for a moment if a similar
scenario like this happens on every hole or even every other hole; Mr. Zen-less
is never ready to play. This is going
to impact the entire course or outing.
Don't be "that guy".
Challenge
yourself to be prepared to play when it's your turn. A golf course with many Zen-full players
makes for a day when everyone has fun, potentially shooting a good round, and
allows time for a post round beverage or maybe even a little extra practice
time on the range or putting green.
Don't be that
guy! Dare yourself to make the entire
golf course to remain calm and at peace; play ready golf by being prepared to
hit your next shot.
Enjoy your
round!
