The Walking Golf Channel

todd murner golf sunset

 

The number of golf books, videos, blogs and personal lessons attributed to golf instruction is mind boggling.  The idea generally exists that if a golfer can get some better equipment or better instruction, their game will vastly improve.  No doubt that both of those endeavors may offer some help in advancing most golfer’s expectations into the same galaxy where the reality of their current game exists.  It’s just the nature of a golfer to want to figure it out.

One very distinct element of advancement is explained in a common response from playing partners, “You are suffering from the paralysis of analysis.”  Actually my twin brother likes to refer to me as the walking golf channel.  I seem to have a comment for every wayward shot of my own and for every playing partner.  The truth is that the golf swing of most amateurs is around 1.5-2 seconds long.  Trying to cram fifteen swing thoughts into that length of time is…well impossible.  That’s where the paralysis takes place, too much thought and inflection will rob your swing of the flow and fluidity required for an optimum golf shot.

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”  2 Corinthians 11:3

The apostle Paul’s concern for the Corinthian ecclesia (church) was that in the same way that the serpent was spying on and taking copious notes to attack and defeat Eve in the garden was being executed against the simple life in Christ they should be enjoying.  For some reason, the Corinthians had over-analyzed their life in Christ to incorporate elements of the old life in the flesh and their new life in the Spirit.  The main problem was their minds were so confused that they were being robbed of the satisfying and purposeful life in Christ that is characterized by peace and joy.

Just like golf – a life in Christ should be enjoyable.  Who wants to pay a lot of money for equipment and golf course fees, along with expending a large amount of time to just hack the ball around, spitting fire and releasing expletives in the atmosphere all in the name of enjoyment?  It helps one to understand why there are so many cranky Christians and disgruntled golfers who give up the ‘game’.  Neither golf nor the Christ life is an exact science.  You are not going to analyze and figure out either of these endeavors.  Your best approach to enjoyment is to realize that your golf game and Christ life are going to be unique to you and stop trying to optimize it by comparing it to others.  Limit your focus to a couple of key elements that are irreplaceable to you and allow the other parts to flow right along with them.

Stop renting space in your head to all the enemy’s distractions.  Get simple and enjoy the ‘game’!