Today I’m taking a short detour from my weekly joy of traveling series and talking a bit about some of the myths of golf, and my experience with the sport!
One of the most common myths about golf is that it’s a very laid-back and carefree sport. Especially because of how golf is portrayed in the media, golf has consistently been seen as a leisure sport, and a pastime for “rich people”, business men, and retired, white men. Many of my friends have often joked that golf is simply “hitting a ball with a stick” and easy compared to other sports that are advertised frequently as competitive sports, such as basketball and soccer.
While I admit that golf is less physically demanding than swimming or basketball, I would argue that the challenging mental aspect of golf is what makes it very much a competitive sport, and one that demands the utmost focus and balance.
Golf is a sport that demands balance, both physically and mentally. As a golfer, you have to pace yourself throughout 18 holes, each round often spanning over three hours. Mentally, you have to ensure that when you hit a good shot, you don’t get ahead of yourself as it’s incredibly easy to mishit holes and mess up your score, even if you’re already on the last hole. Conversely, you have to not let difficult situations and bad holes stress you out and affect the holes that follow, giving you a chance to recover.
Whether it’s missing a close putt or hitting your ball into the water, it’s surprisingly easy to become frustrated and lose your temper on the golf course, which is why the sport requires such intense concentration and flexibility. However, these obstacles will only help in the long run; golfers will eventually develop vital soft skills like reacting to difficult situations with a clear mind, problem-solving, and learning how to manage emotions.
Next time you have a free weekend or a day off, consider heading to the golf course! Golf might just change your life in ways you won’t expect.
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