“Golf Prayers”

I have noticed lately that my prayer life has improved because of my golf game! You see, every time I approach the ball, I start praying! It appears my time of prayer has improved because I am now praying before EVERY single shot!

Listen, it’s no secret my game needs SOMETHING – why not GOD?

I even think golf is mentioned in the bible – The apostle Paul wrote – “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course”. (Although I am pretty sure that suggestion is definitely up for theological debate!)

I don’t find myself praying every moment of my round, but I have started the habit of praying before my round. Mostly for the grace to be patient in tribulation – because let’s face it, I do face tribulation in a round of golf.

Heck – Golf is designed that way.

But then after I finished up my pre-game prayer, I focus my game and skills on just playing the game. I trust that I have prepared for the round and not worry (too much) about the final score.

I think I am drawn to this game because I find the corridors of a golf course to be a divine place for reflection and personal growth. Billy Graham once said, “A golf course is an island of peace in a world often full of confusion and turmoil.”

I totally agree.

For me, golf, much like prayer with God, provides a respite from the troubles in my life. Many days I feel closer to Gold while walking through the world he created with a bag of clubs near me, than in a church on Sunday morning. I find my time for prayer along a fairway can be the best moments of my week.

Only God could lead man to think up a game like golf. No other sporting pursuit takes a player through the varied vistas of nature like golf does.

God made those vast expanses in which the game is played over, so surely he must have had a hand in designing golf!

With my strong desire to spend my days on a golf course, I must believe that there is a plan behind the ups and downs of my golf game. I know that when I hit a bad shot, perhaps to a lie behind a tree or a hazard, I am right where I am supposed to be. I believe God leads me to those lies so he can take me to the next one.

I never know what may come next, but I always believe it may be for the best.

If you are like me, a believer in God and a lover of golf, you also believe that God has a plan – both on and off the course.

Some days I win, some days I lose, but during each round of golf, I must keep moving towards a place where I can hit the next shot from.

For me, golf demands not only prayer, but an intense focus and concentration. And I sure don’t have to look very far to realize that there’s a frenzy out there to find the perfect golf swing and low score.

I just read a statistic that at a recent PGA show in Orlando, 1,300 exhibitors used one million square feet of space to display products and services for the golf consumer – much of it designed to help golfers hit the ball farther and straighter, enjoy doing so, and look better doing it!

Beyond the tools and equipment, there is the design of the course that makes, or breaks, my game. Certain designers are known for the unique styles and features they put into their courses. It may be their use of certain types of traps, the building materials they prefer for retaining walls, or the size and elevation of their greens.

But….I believe the ultimate designer of any golf course I play is God himself. He has created and displayed nature as we know it. Any human golf course designer can only work within the boundaries of what God has created.

It is only when course designers use their imagination and ingenuity to make the best use of God’s creation that truly exceptional golf courses are created.

The result is a symphony of golfing ability played in concert with the challenges and pleasures of the beauty of nature that surrounds the eighteen holes.

I guess if I was to give it some thought, that’s the way it is for me off the course too.

When I see an eagle perched on a seawall, or see the sun shining from the window, or feel a light breeze on my face, I consider them as reminders of the Maker and the wonderful way He’s created all these for His and my pleasure.

While the natural world is a gift from God, I may sometimes feel it’s less personal, unlike the specific gifts God gives me —the food I eat, the clothes I wear, the roof over my head, the skills and talents I have, or my friends and family. But…..whenever I consider the gifts I receive from God, be it a nice cup of hot-chocolate, or a big scoop of ice cream, my heart overflows with thankfulness. These gifts show how God personally cares for me, and each gift reveals another facet of His goodness.

I mean come on – food and drinks could have been created dull and bland, consumed only for survival’s sake, but whenever I eat, I enjoy a great variety of tastes and flavours from what God has created (and He’s given me tastebuds to enjoy these foods!). It was no surprise that in the wedding at Cana, Jesus did not just make any wine, but good wine!

There is so much I can learn about life and golf by looking at parallels between the two.

Life itself is like playing golf – every day is a new course with twists and turns, and its ups and downs. In both, every shot counts. In life and golf, I must plan ahead, learn from my past experiences, and prepare for all my future challenges. Golf and life involve recognizing my strengths and weaknesses, and being able to build on those strengths to overcome the weaknesses. As I learn to recognize the demands of both life and golf, I will need to determine what my response will be both to the obstacles and the opportunities.

My Reads from the Reds – “Don’t forget to pray, because God didn’t forget to wake you up this morning.”

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting.   

Written by Kathy Festa