21 January 2023|Golfing with gratitude
Since writing my last post I've been reflecting more on what this part of my blog is all about. I've decided to change the name from "Quest for Scratch" to "Golfing with Gratitude". While I still have the ambition of getting to scratch, setting that as my primary goal risked ruining my enjoyment of the game. I know that historically chasing scores has seen me have some utterly miserable rounds. To borrow George Santayana's saying, "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it". By focusing simply on my handicap, I risk making similar mistakes with golf that I have made elsewhere. I'm making the choice to redefine how I describe success in golf (and in life).
Some of this is tied up in my early retirement/change of life decision and some of it comes from the recent untimely death of my friend. I had the very great privilege of playing the Jubilee with him the day before he died. As always, the round was lighthearted, with plenty of banter and wide-ranging conversation. Coincidentally we chatted about playing each round as if it were your last and also about the therapeutic properties of golf. He talked about the book "When Revelation Comes" by Jim Hartsell and I talked about "Final Rounds" by James Dodson, agreeing to swap when we next played together. We even took a moment to stop on the 8th tee and admire the view up the Eden estuary (and for him to take some pictures to tease other friends with who weren't able to play that day).
First and foremost I play golf for the simple love of the game and all that it brings, both tangible and intangible. Friendships and connections, well-being (both mental and physical), challenge, learning and improving, adapting and enjoying. While I also enjoy competition and seeing how I get on against others, it's less important. Golf is not, and should never, be a chore (although I'm not a fan of golfing in the wind and rain). It's about enjoying sunrises like the one from this morning. The coffee and banter with friends (and strangers) while we wait for the course to open. Maybe it's just part of getting older and maybe it's tied up in stuff I discuss in some of my "thoughts about" posts, but from this point forward I'm choosing the path of “Golfing with Gratitude”.
Too cold for golf, but getting up early was worth it to catch this sunrise
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