What does Golf mean to you?

Posted Oct 29 2009, 12:44 PM by Cathy Erickson
Due to yet another unexpected home improvement crisis this week (I swear this is all a ploy by my bank to force me into a home equity loan!), I wasn't able to get on the course yesterday.  We played 18 holes on Tuesday (a two-ball scramble so we're calling it 36 holes!), and as we were getting done I automatically started hoping there will be another chance for me to play...I could see rain in the forecast, so now there's a pretty good chance I missed my final opportunity to play with flags in...our course is closing on Friday.

Of course this doesn't mean you won't find me hitting a few balls if the temp gets past 40 degrees in November...even if there is straw covering the greens.  I'll hang on to the bitter end!
 
I don't know what it is, but I feel the need to be out on the course until it's too cold to feel my hands.  As I've said many times before, golf is my happy place, my escape, my challenge to do better, and my time to be thankful.
 
Last week, Sam Johnson had a great post on some golf resolutions he is going to make (if you haven't read it, you should!)  One of his resolutions was to play golf at least once a week.  And my first thought was...That's IT?  Once a week?  What kind of golfer are you?
 
It takes me a little while to remember that golf means different things to different people...it's possible that everyone's lives are filled with all kinds of interests, obligations, and activities that may very well be more important than golf (gasp!).
 
I have a friend who lives in Texas and he tries to golf once a week.  I think he'd play more if he could, but family, work, and other interests that are important leave him with his Saturday morning tee time.  When we talked awhile ago about golf I had those same thoughts that I had about Sam....how can you be content with just once a week?  But then he explained how he looked forward to it...and how nice it was to have that weekly game with the boys.
 
I guess there's something to be said about appreciating things more when can't always have it.
 
I don't know, maybe it's living in Minnesota that makes things different for me...it's go all-out for 6 months and then it's time to go into golf hibernation.  It's my rationale for procrastinating on house projects or just reading a good book...I've got all winter for that!  Would I think differently about golf if I had it at my fingertips 12 months a year?
 
We all have our outlets for stress relief, gratefulness, and taking time for things we enjoy - for me, the golf course fills all those needs...but for others it might be a punching bag, a long walk in a park, or a day on a fishing boat.  A few hours on the course for me might be the same as watching a great movie, weeding the garden, or painting a picture.
 
I love that golf is my benchmark for many of the things I strive for and struggle to become - honest, determined, patient, brave, and a good and faithful friend.  But I'm reminded today that there are countless things out there to make us all the best we can be, so sometimes golf just fits in where it can...and that's okay!  What it must be like to think of golf as something fun to do "every once in awhile"!
 
But please don't get me wrong...I have a blast on the golf course!!  Even though I believe golf provides some serious character building opportunities, each time I'm out there I find a reason to laugh or smile.  A goofy shot, laughing at a golf story, or just getting to hang out with the coolest people - it makes me happy!
 
Knowing how fortunate I am that I have a world that allows me to spend time on the course, I can be thankful for the opportunities golf gives me...great times with friends (and the chance to make new friends), a few hours to let the worries of my world wait in the parking lot, the chance to feel a sense of accomplishment, and the challenge to react to a bad shot or just bad luck.  But most importantly, each day I'm on the course my mind can't help but remind me how blessed I am...hitting a great shot or sinking a long putt is just a bonus.
 
I forget that golf isn't like this for everyone - and maybe it won't always be like this for me either.  All I know is that I do not take for granted the gifts golf gives me.
 
My golf season might be "officially" over, but don't be surprised if you see my car in the empty lot in the next few weeks.  And if it's not raining when I get home I might just be out there today!
 
Golf is just game.  But it has the potential to be whatever you need it to be...no matter how much time you're able to be on the course. Whatever it means to you, I hope you're enjoying it!
 
PS...I'm looking forward to living vicariously through Sam Johnson in my off season!  (That was my scary thought for Halloween week!)  Hee hee.

Filed under: Minnesota, Sam Johnson, happy place, Golf, benchmark, season