“Silence is Golden”

One of the many things I enjoy about playing golf is the silence I experience while playing. The quieter I become during a round, the more I am able to hear everything around me. I am able to listen to my inner voice and make measured decisions on how I will make the next shot to the green, or figure out a way out of the bunker. (Which I have to admit happens more than I would like!)

You may be wondering why do I enjoy the silence of the course? For me it’s because we live in a world where we are inundated with sounds throughout the day – some pleasant, some not so pleasant.

But we very rarely experience silence.

Silence is a thing of beauty but it is often taken for granted. Not on the golf course.

While playing a round of golf, I noticed this wonderful thing in my head – silence. No real thoughts. No noise.

Just…

And then I begin to hear….I mean really hear….the sounds of the game. I hear the swish of my club as I twist through my swing. I hear the spank of the ball when my club strikes it. I hear the crackle of the grass when I stroll to my ball up the fairway (well…actually as I stroll in the rough), and I hear the rattle of the golf ball when it rolls into the hole.

All these sounds are enjoyable for me.

For me, a quiet golf course highlights the beauties of nature. I have played over 200 different courses and have found each to hold a genuinely unique natural atmosphere.

Some courses highlight water bodies while others highlight exotic birds or mountainous areas.

Overall, every course has an identity intertwined with the natural terrain and habitats of the local area which allows me to appreciate and welcome the silence and the beauties of nature at each set of 18 holes.

Come to think about it – I actually enjoy silence off the course too.

My mornings are full of silence.

From the moment I step out my door for my morning bicycle ride, a profound silence permeates my surroundings. The only sounds I hear are the sounds of my current environment speaking to me.

When we are on the road it is the set-up or break-down of a camper. The crackle of the campfire. The chirping of the crickets at night. The birds singing their morning songs. The voice of a friendly camper saying hello.

In my neck of the woods, it is the excited bark from one of the dogs. The children playing in the schoolyard. The cars speeding past.

It all is a form of silence I enjoy.

I recharge myself by being alone, by being in silence. Only in silence, do I hear myself.

I believe silence is often the most beautiful conversation I can have with my husband.  Silence marks the peak of love.

Beautiful relationships speak in silence a lot.

We all know that blooming flowers, twinkling stars, and the rising sun indicate beauty, but have you noticed that this beauty also has a hidden trait?

It’s the beauty of silence.

Every day we depict a mountain of feelings without uttering a single word. That’s also the beauty of silence.

My Reads from the Reds: The best way to practice silence in life is by quietly doing it!

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting!

Written by Kathy Festa