Important Mental Perspective For The Senior Golfer
One would be hard pressed to find an individual who isn't feeling an increase in stress and
anxiety in these troubled world times. Both domestically and abroad, news reports continually
speak to societies across the globe exhibiting signs of higher degrees of uncertainty and
instability. In large-scale protests and in individual conversations, there are many who would
like to "turn back the clock" to the way things were just a few short years ago.
Interestingly, it is especially during these times of tension that we in America have
historically turned to sport and recreation as a diversion. Whether as a spectator or as a
participant, for many there is something therapeutic about the environment that these
activities can create to "help us get away from it all". For some, the connection
with golf at this time allows for a single-minded, "in the moment" experience that
frees up that part of the mind that has been under strain. For others, simply the physical
release of pent-up energy can have attendant calming benefits.
Like so many things in
life, it regularly takes a significant event or events to shake us out of our comfortable
world that we take for granted and help us put things in a more accurate light. Ask a person
who can no longer walk how much they appreciated being ambulatory. Ask a person who can no
longer see how much they appreciated their sight.
Where I'm going with all of this is to
suggest to the Senior golfers to make a point of deeply appreciating the opportunities that
you have, and to put into perspective some of those things in golf that you typically allow to
upset you. Missing a short putt, hitting a drive OB and hitting an "easy" shot into
a hazard are much easier to cope with when put in the context of how fortunate we are to be
able to play at all. The level of frustration, anger, and anxiety that I regularly witness in
golf stems in part from the person's difficulty with putting his/her experience into context.
While acknowledging that many golfers have trained or practiced hard, there is, at times, an
"over reaction" relative to life's big picture. I am not suggesting that anger or
frustration or worry is an inappropriate emotion in golf, I'm merely proposing that these
emotions be managed such that the encounter with the game not be contaminated. How sad to be
unfulfilled and/or dissatisfied doing something that ostensibly has the potential to bring
such joy. For many of you senior golfers, this is what you've worked hard for your whole life-
to finally be able to enjoy this great game.
Next time you find yourself upset when on
the golf course, catch yourself and reflect upon how important really in the scheme of life is
that with which you are stewing. My suspicion is that you will enjoy yourself more if you
incorporate a "big picture" outlook in your reactions.
