Surviving the Rough: How Golf Transformed and Saved My Life

Golf was not always a part of my life. In fact, my journey to this world began in a dark, hopeless place where I could see no path forward. A series of tragic events had occurred that shattered my life into pieces. I had lost my job, my home and, most importantly, people that I loved deeply. I was drowning in a sea of grief, and I saw no way out.

Then something unexpected happened: I stumbled upon golf almost by chance. A friend asked me along for a round one day. I was not in a position to refuse as I had nothing else to do, so I went, carrying with me a host of worries and anxieties. That day marked the beginning of my transformation.

At first, golf seemed like just a game to me - a mere pastime that was largely inconsequential. It required patience, focus, and strategy, much like a game of chess. It was only after playing my first few shaky rounds that the true essence of golf started revealing itself to me.

The first lesson that struck me was about control. On the fairway, we can only control our swing and our mental composure. Once the ball is in motion, we can only watch it and hope for the best. This echoed loudly in my personal life as it taught me a profound lesson about letting go. In life, we tend to hold ourselves captive to variables we can't control. Golf reminded me that all we can really control is ourselves and our reactions.

Resilience was the second big golf lesson. Golf is an inherently challenging sport, with its unpredictability and demands for precision. Failures and setbacks are frustratingly common. However, an important part of golf is understanding that failing to make a shot perfectly isn't the end of the world, it's part of the game. Similarly, in life, having the resilience to bounce back from adversity is crucial.

The golf course also taught me the importance of patience and a slower pace of life. Each round of golf is an ode to slow living, providing time to think, reflect, and connect with nature. This tranquillity was therapeutic for me. It helped me take a break from my anxieties and focus on the moment, realigning my outlook towards life.

Above all else, playing golf instilled in me a sense of purpose. Every round posed a new challenge, a new set of obstacles to overcome. This began to mirror my real life.

Golf has long been a staple of connections, both business, and personal, the perfect balance of strategy and relaxation, and the perfect place to unwind after a long week. Yet what about its potential healing properties? That’s a facet that isn't often addressed or even considered. But that is exactly what I discovered during a trying period in my life. Below, I share the transformative journey towards healing with golf.

The beauty of the golf course was my initial attraction. On even the most stressful days, a stroll through the pristine green fields under the azure sky always managed to take some of the tension off my shoulders. Be it the morning dew on the immaculately cut grass, the chirping of the birds, or the occasional distant mumbling of fellow golfers, everything fascinated me. However, on my darkest days, I found solace on the greens not merely as a distraction but as a form of therapy.

In the beginning, torrents of emotions would threaten to overwhelm me each time I tried to focus on my swing. I would replay past conversations, unresolved issues, and pent-up frustrations over and over as I attempted to transition my energy from my brain into my hands. Yet, something surreal happened as I slowly let myself get absorbed into the rhythm of the game. Each stroke washed away some of the pain, leaving my mind clearer and more peaceful.

It wasn't about winning or losing. Rather, it was about the connection between mind and body. On the golf course, I was able to leave the real world behind and concentrate on the task at hand. It gave me an outlet to vent the anger, pain, and sorrow that was broiling inside me. Each swing at the ball was a physical release of emotional pain.

Over time and countless strokes later, golf became my sanctuary. A moment of peace within the chaos, a challenge that shifted my mind from distressful thoughts to much-needed focus, and the culmination of each swing felt like a personal victory.

Of course, golf couldn't solve all my problems. The issues still existed, and some problems needed more explicit addressing. But I found it easier to handle my emotions and confront my problems after spending a few hours on the greens, finishing a stop-start game, or managing a difficult par.

What started as a hobby became a method of self-therapy. The course became my open space to breathe, think, challenge, and triumph.