Gardner Dickinson (1927 – 1998), who had seven PGA Tour victories, but never won a Major, said, “They say golf is like life, but don’t believe them. Golf is more complicated than that.” While I am guilty of sometimes thinking that is true, deep down I know that Dickinson was simply exaggerating to make the point that a golfer faces numerous mental and physical challenges.
In reality, golfers believe that life is more complex and throws us more curves than the game we love. If that is indeed true, then we (golfers) should be looking to LIFE for guidance, encouragement and inspiration. The Secrets To Life won’t cure your snap hook*, but they can give a golfer insights and perspective, which should lead to lower scores and more bets won. (*Yes, your friendly golf professional is the one to see to correct swing flaws.)
Below are The Secrets To Life -- a treasury of observations, ideas and reminders – that can be applied to the game of golf.
Achievement: “There is no short cut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation -- veneer isn't worth anything.” – African-American botanist, educator and inventor George Washington Carver (1864 to 1943)
Confidence: “Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.” -- New Zealand painter and author Peter T. Mcintyre (1910 to 1995)
Don’t Be Foolish: “If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a fool about it.” – Dilbert, the star of his own comic strip
Enthusiasm: “Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm; it moves stones, it charms brutes. Enthusiasm is the genius of sincerity and truth accomplishes no victories without it.” – English politician and writer Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873)
Learning: “Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” – Abigail Adams (1774 to 1818), wife of John Adams, who was the second President of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president
Mad: “Get mad, then get over it.” – Four-star general and Secretary of State Colin Powell (born 1937)
People: “There are two types of people -- those who come into a room and say, ‘Well, here I am!’ and those who come in and say, ‘Ah, there you are.’” – Writer Frederick L. Collins (1882 to 1951)
Self-Improvement: “The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.” -- American educator John Dewey (1859 to 1952)
Tenacity: “Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” – French scientist Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) developed the food preparing process now known as pasteurization.
To Succeed: “To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone.” -- American country music artist Reba McEntire (born 1955)
Still Waiting Patiently For Spring,
Allan
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