I often ask my students why they play golf. I don't intend any cynicism or scorn by this question. It is a question that I often ask myself with anticipation to look inside myself in hopes of finding out what makes me tick.
Recently I have had an opportunity to work with some great junior players in and around California. I played some golf with and watched some of my students in tournament competition. That question rang loudly in my ears again. It was time to look within and ask myself why I play golf.
My answer was simple -- freedom. An interesting answer on Fourth of July weekend. This came to me while watching, over several occasions, different junior players that I work with drain putts from every possible position on the green. It was during a rather big junior event at my course that I realized these children have a freedom and it can become contagious, which is a good thing.
I watched almost in disbelief as putts drop from some of the most difficult spots on our greens at Catta Verdera C.C. These are the same greens that gave the LPGA pros fits when they played one of their tour events at my course. These same greens didn't seem to bother the kids that I watched. At first I questioned myself: what stops me from being free like them on the greens?
I have memories of this freedom from long ago, when I used to be free and I loved being free. Somewhere along the way I had forgotten what freedom really was.
It sometimes takes watching someone or something to realize what freedom is. These young guys and gals are free because they are doing whatever they want to do. Just like a bird, an animal, or a tree and I found that most of the time there was a big smile on their face because they were having fun. They were exploring how good they could do and they were not afraid to play. They don't worry about the past, and they don't care about the future. They get a little afraid when some of their needs aren't met, but for the most part, they are so much more grounded in the present moment.
So why am I not free like them to play and putt like there is no tomorrow? I believe I just stuck my finger right in the middle of it. We lose our freedom with thinking about the future too much, when we judge too much and when we story-tell too much. If you wonder what that is, just head for the grill at your golf course and listen to all the victims of the golf course.
One last reason is embedded in our belief system. Once your mind becomes programmed with all this garbage it's tough to have fun and we are no longer happy.
Lucky for me these little people are infectious. During a few rounds with these young students I found it easy to let go. The putts were dropping and my stroke became silky smooth again. I also found some of that freedom that sometimes plays hide and seek with us.
My suggestion is if you ever get a chance to play with a junior golfer seize the opportunity. Let them show you how to be free. Free to make putts from everywhere and free to have fun while you're doing it.
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