Feb. 12, 2009 – Kerikeri, New Zealand: We are waiting so long on the group in front of us that I have time to blog while Wade looks for golf balls in the long rough beside the fairway. Being Scottish, nothing gives him more satisfaction than finishing a game with more balls than he started with – it’s almost better than a good score!
All but a few golf holes have ocean views here at Kauri Cliffs, a famous course in the Bay of Islands. We arrived last night and I felt like I was back at an industry function: a bunch of tanned, gray-haired men discussing their game over drinks before dinner. And just like when I was working, today I joined them. It's been fun. For me, a desirable course is either lined with lots of nice houses to admire, or accessorized with good scenery. This links-style course scored well in the latter.
I enjoy golf, mostly because I don't take it too seriously. My golf rules are: I don't keep score, I don't hit out of sand traps, and I don't look for lost balls. It takes any potential stress out of the game, and I have no trouble finding people who like this approach and want to golf with me. As I walk down the fairway enjoying the outdoors and thinking about my next shot, I leave my worries behind. It takes me out of my regular world, which is probably why it is such a popular diversion for those in high-pressure jobs. Of course, it is also a good way to get to know someone. Not only do you feel a kinship with someone with whom you've shared a game, but you also can tell a lot about them by their behavior on the course.
Golf is also good practice for visualization. To be successful you have to focus on where you want your ball to go. If you make a bad shot, you have to put it behind you and stay strictly in the present moment to have a chance at executing the next one properly. It is another example of the value of mindfulness. Still your mind, focus on what you want to achieve, and enjoy the process. It works for golf and for life.
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