Golf Fore the Good

I lay awake, wide eyed, in the middle of the night, watching the CNN review of the recent presidential debate. As I am prone to do – not so much because the program did not hold my rapt attention – my thoughts turned to golf. On golf and politics, I reflected; and how, if all politicians respected their positions as much as avid, devoted golfers respect our beloved game, we’d most likely be much better off, all around.

For example, no one signs their scorecard at the end of a tournament without a lot of thought and care. In golf, there can be no retractions, no lists of truths vs. fiction, no going back on our word after the fact. It is what it is. While it seems a misstatement of the truth by a politician causes little more than a few days of bad press, a mistake on your scorecard means you forfeit the whole enchilada. You’re gone; you’re scratched; you’re off the ballot.

Golfers have our rules and we live by them. We do not expect to overturn the Rules nor promise to do so. Sure, there are times when we question the Rules, when we require some interpretation in a specific situation, but basically, the Rules are the rules. Black and white. We’re expected to know them and to follow them. One does not find a golfer whining all the way to the Royal and Ancient as if appealing to the Supreme Court. We play the game as we are expected, just as we learned it and without haggling over things that will never change anyway. We live for the now, one shot at a time. We do not promise, nor do we expect, change.

Golf is an adventure. We enjoy being out on the golf course and four hours is hardly enough time to spend at our game, even when the day has proved less than perfect. On the other hand, four years is a very long time to live with our mistakes. The practice facility is the place to take chances; out on the course, you better know what you’re doing.

Golf is an equal opportunity event. Though we undergo some scrutiny as to our handicaps and our respective tees, we are not bound by these demographics. We are not constrained by glass ceilings. We are not obligated to a particular tee box.

The game is most enjoyable if you play within your ability, and yet, you are always free to try new things on the golf course. One is not accused of flip flopping if today you play a high pitch, whereas last week you preferred the bump and run. Golfers must be adaptable, quick thinking and independent, without bias toward one particular way of playing a shot. Golfers realize that every situation has its variables, that one must continually weigh the options and then commit to a shot or be doomed to failure. Good information and careful consideration of the facts are key.

However, if one chooses to play over one’s head, or makes a poor decision, or misses a shot, well then, a golfer takes responsibility for his or her own actions. No excuses, no double talk, no press secretary to work damage control. In short, no mulligans.

You hit your own shots, you play your own game on the golf course. You are out there alone, a one on one live interview. All the swing coaches, all the advisers, consultants and gurus in the world cannot back you up on the golf course. You’ve got to go with what you’ve got. Nothing more, nothing less; just give it your best shot. A competitive golfer must be skilled and precise and well versed in his or her objectives.

Once a golfer tees off, there are no emergency strategy sessions, no special committees, no caucuses where one can withdraw, postpone or reorganize a campaign. You can not nominate a substitute. Pace of play is important. One can be penalized for any undue delays. No filibustering allowed. Just get the job done.

We can never look too far ahead on the golf course. There are often details that are beyond our control. The wind and weather may change abruptly; we get a bad kick; we must adapt our game plan. Often, we find ourselves sitting dead center of the fairway, with a clear and present look at the pin. What we may not see is the slope of the green. Fifty percent of the game is played close to home. Concentrate on the task at hand and pay attention to the details.

Sometimes, if rarely, there is a cause for pause, and a golfer is left with but one course of action; to call for a decision by the Rules Committee. Only then, is one thing for certain; the action of the Committee will be sure and swift and any reversal of their decision will be harder to come by than an act of Congress.

The game of golf is complex, but not unfair. The Rules hinge on two basic principles: Play the ball as it lies. Play the course as you find it. Players are expected to play honestly and with respect for others; in essence, the integrity of all players is required to protect the field. No sniping; no cheating; no dirty politics. Life should be so simple.