What 9 Holes Can Teach Us About Mindfulness
Mindfulness is an idea that has been around for a long (long) time. In the last few years though, it has really come into its own spotlight as a way for aiding individuals development, personal growth and stress management. In the fast-paced world we live in, where distractions abound and stress seems inevitable, the quest for mindfulness has become increasingly important. Often times though, it gets lumped together with the idea of reaching a specific state of mind, where we sit cross legged under a giant tree and our minds are perfectly clear. That it is a peak to reach, and once we have it we are set. However, the truth is, mindfulness is a practice. It is something done regularly to help avoid distractions and bring focus to the moment we are in. It can be done with the aid of an app, but we can also use different activities to help with our mindfulness practice as well.
Activities like golf.
Yes, golf—the sport often associated stuffy country clubs, funny pants, and a touch of exclusivity— requires precision, patience, and perseverance. It holds within its gentle sways and calculated swings, profound parallels to the practice of mindfulness. Granted, when some people play golf it can actually increase their stress, if they focus too much on score and acting like they are playing at Augusta. If we shift our mindset away from this idea, we can work through our mindfulness practice on the serene expanse of a golf course. Working through more than just strokes and putts, we can work through finding a deeper connecting to ourselves and the world around us. Let's delve into this unique intersection, exploring three key ideas that link golf and mindfulness.
Presence in the Moment:
Mindfulness teaches us the importance of being fully present in the moment, letting go of worries about the past or future. Similarly, golf demands absolute concentration on each shot, requiring players to clear their minds of distractions and focus entirely on the task at hand. Whether addressing the ball on the tee box or lining up a putt on the green, golfers must immerse themselves completely in the present moment, attuned to the subtle nuances of the game.
Consider the act of preparing for a swing. As a golfer stands over the ball, there is a brief but profound moment of stillness—a suspension of time where nothing exists except the golfer, the club, and the target. In this suspended state, the mind is free from the clutter of everyday concerns, honed in on the singular objective of striking the ball cleanly. Every movement becomes deliberate, every breath intentional, as the golfer channels their focus into the precise execution of the shot.
In essence, each swing becomes a microcosm of mindfulness, a fleeting but profound experience of being fully present in the now. Through the rhythmic motion of the swing and the crisp contact of club meeting ball, golfers cultivate a heightened awareness of their surroundings and themselves, transcending the mundane to tap into a deeper state of consciousness.
By focusing too much on how the previous shot was bad, or how they need to make it to the green in the next shot then the putts that are needed to make par (or even bogie), this pulls us right out of it. The focus absolutely needs to be in the present moment, not the ones the preceded it or the ones that follow.
Acceptance and Resilience:
A fundamental aspect of mindfulness is the practice of acceptance—acknowledging reality as it is, without judgment or resistance. In golf, this principle manifests itself in the acceptance of both successes and failures on the course. Every golfer knows the frustration of a missed putt or a wayward drive, your ball landing in the worst spot imaginable… yet true mastery of the game lies in one's ability to accept these setbacks with grace and resilience.
Golf is a sport of unpredictability, where even the most skilled players encounter obstacles beyond their control—wind gusts, uneven lies, or unpredictable bounces. In the face of such challenges, golfers must embrace the inherent uncertainty of the game, adapting their strategies and mindset accordingly. Rather than dwelling on past mistakes or fretting over future outcomes, they learn to stay rooted in the present moment, responding to each shot with equanimity and poise.
Moreover, golf teaches us the value of resilience in the face of adversity. Every round presents its own share of obstacles and setbacks, testing the mettle of even the most seasoned players. Yet, it is precisely through these trials that golfers cultivate resilience, learning to bounce back from disappointment and press on with determination. Each round becomes a lesson in perseverance, a testament to the indomitable spirit that lies within us all.
Through this all, there is need for control. Over your emotions in adapting to these unpredictable surroundings. Not just for our sake, but for those around us. Why? Because no one likes to play with the golfer who slams their club after a missed put, or throws a fit when they have a bad shot. True resilience comes from accepting outcomes and working through them, rather than seeking blame through anger.
Connection to Nature and Self:
One of the most profound aspects of both golf and mindfulness is their capacity to foster a deep connection—to nature and to oneself. Courses around the country feature a wide range of pristine landscape. Players are invited to immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural world, awakening a sense of wonder and reverence for the environment around them. The tranquility of the landscape serves as a backdrop for introspection, inviting golfers to contemplate the interconnectedness of all things and their place within the larger tapestry of existence. All while trying to get a small ball into a small hole.
Golf offers a unique opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. You really see who you are as a person when the round just isn’t going your way, and it should be enlightening. As players navigate the course, they confront not only the physical challenges of the game but also the inner obstacles that arise—the doubts, fears, and insecurities that often plague the human psyche. In confronting these inner demons, golfers embark on a journey of self-discovery, uncovering hidden strengths and vulnerabilities, and ultimately, finding greater harmony within themselves.
This should highlight our areas for growth. Not as a golfer, but as a human being. If we overreact to a minor inconvenience during a leisure activity, how do we react to inconveniences of life? If we get upset at the aspects that are out of our control (like the way a ball lands) how will we react when life throws us a curveball? Our reactions and actions on the course should be a lesson in self-awareness, for how we can seek growth in different areas of life as well.
The parallels between golf and mindfulness run deep, offering profound insights into the nature of human experience and the quest for inner peace. With the right mindset, golfers discover a pathway to mindfulness that transcends the boundaries of the fairway, infusing their lives with a sense of purpose, joy, and serenity (if they worry less about the score, and focus more on the game itself). This is just one activity where we can see mindfulness practice in action. Any activity that requires patience, focus in the moment, acceptance of short comings and connectedness can be used for a mindfulness practice. We can see similarities in activities like pottery, gardening, and even word working (just to name a few). These activities all require the practice of presence, acceptance, and connection. Mindfulness doesn’t need to be just breathing activities and positive affirmations, and can (and should) be tied to an activity that we can practice repeatedly through our lives.
If you do golf, the next time you find yourself on the green, take a moment to pause, to breathe, and to embrace the wisdom that lies within the gentle rhythm of the game. For in that fleeting moment of stillness, you may just find the keys to unlocking a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you
