Why Golf?

-

Since I returned from the Northwest Women's Open in June, I have been asking a lot of golfers why they play the game. I do get my fair share of "I don't know" but every now and then I do get a meaningful response from the souls who are willing to slow down and consider the question. But then yesterday, the question was asked back to me and it has taken me 12 hours to generate a few ideas as to why I chose and continue to choose golf. However, one thought continues to stand out; golf has been my ROCK. It is my CONSTANT. Golf being constant is ironic to me as the game itself is ever-changing. So how could it provide stability for me? 

I was handed a golf club when I was five.  Or was I really handed a FUTURE or an ornate gift? Or was it Pandora's Box? Golf has outlived my childhood, teenage years, boyfriends, and jobs. It has survived college, pregnancies, herniated discs, and lost loved ones. It has traveled the world with me and continues to stay by my side after missed cuts, heartbreaking losses, and an occasional success story.



What is it about golf that makes it stick around? 

Golf is the everlasting gobstopper. Always changing flavors; layers and layers of knowledge, experiences, challenges, triumphs, scenery, weather conditions, personalities, alter egos, friendships, and connections with people I may have never crossed paths with in daily routines. And all of that can happen in 18 holes! It has shown me adversity in so many different ways and holds my hand as I overcome my own limits.

It feels weird saying that golf is my EVERYTHING, but it does make the best kind of significant other. The game has provided almost every kind of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual evolution tactic available, and can make me go from human to superhero to back to human in the span of one golf hole! Golf is the highest of highs and lowest of lows. And most importantly, this relationship makes me feel alive every time I engage in it.

And that is ONE reason I play golf! Why do you play?

Many Birdies,

Melissa

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2nd Annual Tri County Junior Open

-
Image
  2nd Annual Tri County Junior Open Junior golf… why is it important? The PGA of America’s number one reason is to develop life-long benefits. What does that entail? It gives them a chance to see what makes this game great, from etiquette to how much fun one could have. It’s also chance to get out and find other kids who share an interest in this sport. Golf, as we all know, is social as much as it is competitive. Some have said, though, it can be difficult to find something for their child to get involved in. That’s why the Tri-County Junior Open exists. It’s a chance for the kids, of ages 10-17, to experience what a tournament style atmosphere is like, but reminding them to still have fun and take it all in. The number one priority, as we’ve mentioned, is to get out and play. We want the kids to come out, enjoy this great game, compete, and see what it’s like to start taking golf seriously. How does this open stand out from others? A huge aspect of this is having a USGA ru...
Read more

Know Your Worth, Pumpkin!

-
Image
I have pumpkins showing up everywhere in my world.  The first started growing behind the golf shop in the weeds where I dump spent pumpkins every November.  Then I noticed one growing next to my driveway at home. Strange place, but I've learned that strange things happen in my world. And then yesterday, I noticed one growing at the end of the driving range. I really have no idea how that one got there.  However, when an animal or autumnal fruit or aberration shows up, I tend to research the meaning of this sign in my life. Why is this symbol or sign showing up for me right now? The first internet search of pumpkins shared the following: "Pumpkin is one of the more resilient fruits, finding ways to grow large and bulging amongst sparse soil and sharing nutrients along a connected vine that reaches into the ground to replenish itself. Perhaps for this reason pumpkins have become symbols of prosperity, growth, and abundance." It seems that the pumpkin perfectly describes my ...
Read more