I have played once, in the rain, and that was enough. I have tried watching golf on TV and have fallen asleep. (As I'm writing this article, I'm yawning.) To top it all off, my life partner played golf a couple of years ago and picked a golf club up for the very first time to get a hole in one! In his very first shot! Go figure...

My family knows better than to mention the "G" word around me. Last Christmas as a gag gift they gave me a small booklet titled "The Golf Instructor," detailing tips on golf, grips, drive, long run and chip shots. They all got a kick from seeing my face open up that gift. Yeah, the support of one’s own family can be wonderful at times.

Now don’t get me wrong; I appreciate the discipline of golf. One needs to only look at Tiger Woods to revel in his effortless swings and love of the sport. I admire people who are consistently beating their personal best, enjoying the great outdoors and clearly displaying a strong sense of fun and friendship.

During a burst of spring cleaning, I came across the golf booklet buried deep in my desk. Before I decided to throw it out, I looked through it. Something at the end of the booklet caught my attention: fundamental golf tips.

Reading through the list, it seemed like the advice they offered not only can be applied to the game of golf, but to the game of life. There was one piece of advice that stood out from the rest:

Never fear your shots, regardless of who is watching.
Take a deep breath, relax, and swing with good tempo and rhythm.
Never rush a shot, life is too short!

Well, run me over with a golf cart! Who would have thought I would be enlightened over golf advice? As I continued to read, the booklet proceeded to offer some valuable tips that I feel I must share with you. Not just for use on the green, but in all areas of our lives. I’ve taken the liberty to substitute the word “golf” with “life” in the following tips and it’s amazing how things fit so easily.

FLEXIBILITY
Life is not mastered in one season and it is particularly frustrating if we approach life with stiff and inflexible expectations. Great life begins with stretching, bending and loosening up. A sense of humour and a sprinkling of humility will go a long way in the game of life.

FOCUS
Life is a tough sport. It requires mental and emotional concentration. Silencing the inner critic after a "bad shot" is crucial to regaining your clear focus. This is an advanced skill to learn that can take you very far in life.

PRACTICE
In life, instant success is very rare. Through daily practice, persistence and being open to listening to your mentors and coaches, you will tackle most of life’s tough challenges. In golf, and in life, practice smart. Practice for success! It pays off.

I hate to admit that I actually learned something from golf...but I did. These applicable golf tips of being flexible, having focus and practicing can actually be revised in a new book called "The Life Instructor."

I will not be going on a golf course anytime soon, but I have a newfound appreciation for the sport. If you adopt some of these principles in the game of life, I believe you will have a hole in one. A clear winner, “fore” sure!

Images courtesy of www.kotapermai.com

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