An overall reflection of golf seen in Oceania…
For the past two months, I have been travelling around the Southern Hemisphere and no, the ball doesn’t go down into the hole counter-clockwise and I was not attacked by any hoop snakes or drop bears. I have learned much about the culture and the game of golf down under. Given the context of these articles, I’d like to reflect upon how the game is played.
Golf is simple. It is a challenge and it is an opportunity. It is meant to be played with others, but against yourself. It is meant to be enjoyed with fresh air and to be talked about amicably with friends afterwards. It is meant to be laughed at. It is meant to be a game.
Golf is also serious. It provides an honest competition that is equitable to all that participate. Therefore, people that play this game here seldom make excuses and are highly congratulatory to highly adept play.
It seems to have been learned that learning comes from within. It comes from objective observation of the present moment. Learning what you do well and when and where you need to focus more attention. Aussie golfers seem to be very Socratic in that most know that they know very little, but are open to knowing more (a very “empty cup” Zen student approach).
So, I conclude my thoughts and implore you to take a position ready to learn. Learn from every putt, from every sliced drive and from every chunked wedge. Gain insight and humility from every pure strike and snake holed.