Last week we went out for our first round of golf here in North Carolina. We live near Pinehurst which is the home of the historic golf resort, Pinehurst Resort. There are golf courses everywhere including one just 5 minutes from our home in our Village. I am so grateful my husband introduced me to golf just over a year ago.
With the move and our belongings being in storage it had been some time since we last golfed. Our intent was to make it out to the golf range before playing a round but for various reasons that didn’t happen.
I was quite rusty to say the least! It was like I had forgotten how to play! Normally we walk with our push carts but with the heat and humidity (and a cart being included in our early bird fee) we rode. Driving the golf cart was fun and a welcome distraction from my poor playing.
So the front nine holes were a warm-up for me, knocking off the rust, and a reminder of how to play. The back nine holes I got most of my game back and played much better. Thank goodness!
As we were playing we said how much life is like a round of golf.
In golf, sometimes you hit a great shot, but sometimes it goes way out of bounds. At times life can be going really well, or sometimes it can fall apart.
As you play a round of golf you need to make adjustments to your grip, swing, or stance. In life you need to make adjustments, perhaps to your career, family life, or finances.
Similarly to my recent round where the front nine was more of a preparation for the back nine, the first half of life maybe we are just warming up or preparing for the second half. Then in the second half, like the back nine where I got my groove back, we find our stride and, maybe, find ourselves.
All throughout life (and in a round of golf!) we need to keep making those adjustments because just as the golf ball goes up and comes back down, so do life’s ups and downs. I’m looking forward to continuing to make those adjustments in my golf game -and in life!