Musings: My Random

Observations on Golf

My relationship with golf started in the fall of 1974 when I was coaching at a New England boarding and day school in Connecticut. In my first month there, the golf coach asked if I played “the game.” I told him that I did not and his response was, “Do you want to learn? I have clubs you can use.”

I said, “Sure.”

We lived on campus and throughout the school year when we both had the same time off, he took me out to a nearby public course. His one rule was: “When I tell you to pick up. Do so.” He was a stickler for keeping up a good pace of play, which is something I have come to greatly appreciate.

I came back home to Kansas City for Christmas break that year and my main present was a set of Golden Bear MacGregor woods and irons, which Santa had purchased from Sears. The hook was set, not only did I have a patient teacher, I now had my own clubs.

Yes, scoring well and winning (i.e., club tournaments/flights and a bit of money) is certainly a part of golf. Having said that, as I have gotten older, I find that I have two primary reasons why I play golf: FRIENDSHP and THE OCCASIONAL GREAT SHOT! 

However, even though at age 74 I am finally beginning to understand my two primary reasons for playing golf, I can’t stop my mind from wandering. Below are real world thoughts, reminders and reflections of how a so-so golfer thinks. In other words, the thoughts of a golfer who understands that between addiction and madness lies golf.

1. Approach the golf course as your friend, not your enemy.

2. Cute shots aren’t smart shots

3. Golf is a game of senses – seeing, touching and hearing.

4. Golf releases the mind from the oppression of your spouse’s To-Do List. 

5. Having putting trouble? Have the yips? Try the claw. It changed my life – for a while anyway!

6. If in doubt, take out the stronger club.

7. If you are up big, don’t let up on the accelerator.

8. It is way too easy to try the dumb shot.

9. Luck is a big part of golf. Having a partner who is having a bad day is bad luck. 

10. Overcome difficulty with patience.

11. Slumps happen. That’s a fact.

12. The ball sometimes has a mind of its own.

13. The blame game starts and ends with you.

14. The desire “to hit it long” is often too hard to resist. 

15. Golf is a big tease.

16. Your imagination should not be one of your limitations.

17. The Zone: When you are in it, just enjoy it.

18. Your next shot could be the shot of your life.

19. Hit, don’t coax your putts.

20. You will never find peace of mind until you get a hole-in-one.

21. Not all good shots have good results.

22. The Blame Game: Sometimes it is the club’s fault.

23. Get your belt buckle turned toward the target.

24. You will have at least one crash landing per round.

25. You can’t fight what Mother Nature throws at you.

26. When you are about to blow up, remember that you are playing a game.

27. Fairway grass feels great under your feet.

28. You will have at least one crash landing per round.

29. You can define what par is for you. (Many of us don’t have a legitimate chance of making a 4 on a 400-yard hole that goes uphill. Think 5, not 4.)

30. Bring a light heart and a cheerful spirit to the course.

Down The Fairway,

Allan Stark

Photo credits:

Ball in air – Shutterstock – AI created.

MacGregor Golden Bear clubs.

Image found on https://www.callawaygolfpreowned.com.

Twisted golfer cartoon: From the book, Mr. Punch's Golf Stories (1906).

Tom Watson – Photo by ProShooter, DepositPhotos.

Three Golfers – Shutterstock.