Life lessons learned from golf?

[nikegolfer93]

What are some life lessons you have learned while playing the game of golf?

[caniac6]

Golf is a great game, but it hasn’t taught me a single life lesson. It’s an escape from real life, and if anything, things I”ve learned in life have influenced my golf.

[PJE]

I think golf offers the opportunity to put into practice or hone characteristics a golfer already possesses like patience, optimism, and persistence.
I don’t think golf necessarily teaches these qualities.

Negative, frustrated, and angry people seem to have their traits exacerbated by golf.  Golf, in my experience, doesn’t change people. 
On the other hand, golf is a great vehicle for observation of one’s self and others. 
 

[st1800e]

Leave the course in better shape than you found it. 

[st1800e]

Golf isn’t fair.  

[goaliedad30]

A long, long time ago, my high school golf coach taught me several things. He was a great guy, not a particularly good player (8-9 handicap; couldn't beat any of the guys on the team), but was outstanding at teaching life lessons.

 

Example one: I was playing in a practice round, with him walking with our group. I was bemoaning my ball catching a poor lie in the rough, and a tree partially impeding my ability to hit the ball at the target. He said "you hit it there". Lesson: don't blame others for your mistakes.

 

Example two: I was playing in a match, and having a TERRIBLE day. One one hole, I had basically given up, and was just kind of flailing at the ball, without any kind of routine. He (legally - coaches could give advice) said: "I teach math. 6 is always better than 7. 7 is always better than 8. 8 is always better than 9". I got back to focused, and my lousy score actually counted for the day, and we ended up winning the team match by one stroke. Lesson: don't give up. Others depend on you.

[ShortGolfer]

If you are going to hit it over a bunker, don't have second thoughts at the last moment.

Commit to making a full swing.

 

In other words, focus and follow through.

 

I was around ten when I learned that.

Edited January 4 by ShortGolfer

[Port and Starboard]

The only thing I have learned from golf is that it's about as addictive as "crack"

 

Never ending chase.

[McMunch]

I've learned through golf that god hates me and doesnt want me to be happy.

[MelloYello]

Contrary to what a few said earlier I feel like golf has completely changed my personality. 

 

I've become a lot more patient and "stoic" although I generally hate that word. 

 

I started golf as an impatient player prone to negativity. Without any guidance bouts of rage weren't uncommon. Frustration led to constant negative self-talk and even the occasional club break/throw. 

 

Today I'm totally different. I still get frustrated but I'm 100x more patient. I try to focus and be as happy as I can before every shot. I understand how negativity tends to be a slippery slope. Bad emotions can lead to bad shots. 

 

Plus, I've seen a ton of guys who are just really fun to be around and who handle themselves well on bad days and I want to be more like them. 

 

I would say my whole personality on and off the course has changed as a result of pursuing golf. 

 

 

.

Edited January 4 by MelloYello

[elwhippy]

Treat people, and nature, with respect. Don't cheat. 

[Murphy76]

 

Age means nothing on the golf course.

 

In fact, playing with older people can be way more fun and interesting.

[third-times-a-charm]

Practice does not make perfect.

 

None of this matters, so just enjoy it.

[nitram]

14 hours ago, st1800e said:

Golf isn’t fair.  

and neither is life . . .

[Dan Drake]

I've got a lot to say along these lines, even to the point that I'd like to write a book or three about this great game at some point in my life.  But, this might not be the time and place to write our 50,000 words so I'll just give you my main one:

 

Leading a "successful" life is exactly like shooting a "good" score when playing golf.  It is far more about avoiding double bogies (and worse) than it is about making birdies and eagles.  

[Nickb333]

Some people just cheat. Golf exposes them. 

[Birdyjuice]

38 minutes ago, Dan Drake said:

I've got a lot to say along these lines, even to the point that I'd like to write a book or three about this great game at some point in my life.  But, this might not be the time and place to write our 50,000 words so I'll just give you my main one:

 

Leading a "successful" life is exactly like shooting a "good" score when playing golf.  It is far more about avoiding double bogies (and worse) than it is about making birdies and eagles.  

Great perspective, you should write that book!

[Dan Drake]

1 hour ago, Nickb333 said:

Some people just cheat. Golf exposes them. 

AND.....

 

[Lobby]

I’ve learned no life lessons playing golf

 

Golf is just a game. 
 

 

[bigred90gt]

I’ve learned I can be exceptional at golf one day, and suck at it the next. 
 

Same in life. lol

 

although, to be fair, I think I learned that about life before I started playing golf. It’s just one of the few things I do that can mirror life in some ways. 

Edited January 5 by bigred90gt

[Aggie98]

When you reflect back on your "round", you will quickly forget about all of the bad shots and only remember the great ones.

 

 

[cardoustie]

There’s many life lessons in golf in my experience

 

Effort in = results … ie you get out what you put in 

[Maine Golfer]

If you get an 8 or 10 on one hole, you can give it a good effort to be around par the next. Bad things happen in life, but you can't make it so the next morning you dont even try with the things you can control in life. 

 

 

[Golfbit2X]

REDEMPTION. Whatever mistake you've made on your last shot, golf will still give you the opportunity to hit the next shot/round/tournament to redeem yourself. 

 

Life is the same way... never give up... keep moving forward... bounce back. 

[Aimee]

Don't hold on to negative thoughts. Hit a bad shot? get over it, and move on. 

[jda]

You alone are the reasons for your failures, and also your successes.  You have everything that you need to fix anything that you don't like.  You also have everything that you need to be OK with who you are.  Blend the two for success and happiness.

 

Nobody cares about your problems - they have enough of their own... unless you are playing with your Mommy or maybe your spouse.

[naval2006]

Patience IS a virtue.

 

Never ever give up. 

 

The more you train the better you get.

[mat562]

Not so much life lessons, but:

 

Most of the players who look a million dollars on the range will make up the mid order and also-rans. The little guys with the weird swings and the old, beat-up irons and putter are the ones to watch out for.

 

Two godlike shots into a par five aren't worth a thing if you three putt from twelve feet chasing the eagle you think you deserve.

 

In sheeting rain and gale force winds, 90% of the field are already no hopers before they get to the first tee.

 

Most people don't hit it anything close to as far as they think they do. 

 

The guy who tells you he just paid 600 quid for a shiny new driver he's never hit before is definitely worth having a bet with.

 

If you're off scratch or anything like it, playing in any handicap events is a waste of time unless you're 90% certain you'll be breaking the amateur course record that day.

[bazzle18]

"Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots. But you have to play the ball as it lies" - Bobby Jones

[bazzle18]

"As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round." - Ben Hogan