“Oh The Places You’ll Go!”

One of my favorite books is Dr. Seuss’ “Oh the Places You’ll Go”.  This meaningful message about the importance of seizing new opportunities, keeping an open-mind, and trying new things can easily be applied to the game of golf. 

“I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.”  

The game of golf is a game of accepting failure; of accepting imperfection; of realizing that the perfect game has never been played, never will be played, or ever could be played.  I can’t imagine what a boring experience it would be if the golf course did not include elements that create adversity, the “Bang-Ups and Hang-Ups” if you will – such as:  sand traps, rough, bunkers, water, dog legs, trees,  fairways, and the shape and slope of the green. 

“Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.”

         I don’t think of golf as your usual competitive sport – at least not for me.  When I play a round of golf my focus is seldom on beating the other players.  I actually pay very little attention to anyone’s score but my own.  My competition is with my own game, with how I am playing today compared with how I have played yesterday, or the day before.  I am always competing with myself; one hole at a time, one round at a time.  I am always trying to beat my past record, lower my handicap and increase my ability.  

“When you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun.  Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.” 

         In golf it is easy to become too focused on the surrounding adversity.  It is far better to concentrate on the target.  When I focus my thoughts and eyesight on the objective of my next shot, I am more likely to avoid the adversity.  When I miss a shot, I try never to think of what I did wrong.  I approach the next shot thinking of what I must do right. 

“Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!”

         There are few words that can describe the thrill of stepping onto the first tee of a course I have never played.  I have had the opportunity to play golf all over the world – Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Czech Republic, Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Spain, Okinawa, Abu Dhabi, Guam, Ireland, and of course the birth place of golf – Scotland, as well as many courses in the U.S.  Some were located in out-of-the-way locations.  Some are gorgeous in design and/or setting.  Others boasted some funky golf history.  All of the venues I have played offered me a truly rare adventure.  Many aren’t familiar “classics” or “hidden gems”.  And you’re unlikely to see the pros playing many of them on TV.  But they have been some of the most memorable rounds of my life.  I have been chased by monkeys, serenaded by a muezzin’s call to prayer, left speechless by the utter grace of the distant mountains, and felt the sparkling sea splashing along the fairway. That’s the thing about golf – it’s not just the par you nearly made or the absurd shot your golf partner just finished – it’s the overall experience of traveling to and around a gorgeous piece of architected greenery.  

         My Reads from the Reds is….. in both golf and the game of life, what makes it interesting is the Places You Will Go! 

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting. Written by Kathy Festa