Going deep is a term tour players use when we shoot a small number. Usually sub-par rounds well past four under. This isn’t the type of “going deep” that I want to discuss in this article. What I’m talking about is going deeply into why you play golf – for reasons that you might not even understand.

I was recently in a business meeting with some associates. We were discussing real estate – a topic that I am completely unfamiliar with. I listened and tried to learn the lingo. I tried to follow along. Homeowner disputes, titles, zoning restrictions – it was a foreign language.

Confused, my eyes narrowed and almost closed. You know the feeling when you just can’t quite keep up with the conversation. Just as I almost entirely zoned out of the conversation, one of the partners noticed me struggling and, in an attempt to save me, asked “So what do you think about all of Jordan Spieth”s troubles this year?”.

My mind re-engaged. My eyes regained their focus, and I thought “Who gives a crap?”. (I didn’t say that out-loud). But really, who gives a crap. That might be a better question for Jordan’s agent, girlfriend or parents. However, not for me. What happens to Jordan Spieth has nothing to do with me. It never has and unless he decides to stand a foot further from the ball and line the club on a Single plane – probably never will.

My mind went further into this internal conversation. Is this what golf is? Has it become a search for drama? A few weeks ago they blamed Jason Day’s poor performance on some family troubles. Who will get a divorce next week? What has golf become?  It’s no wonder the game is declining. We keep focusing on what golf isn’t.

We have stopped focusing on the real reasons that we play.  To get away from all of that CRAP.

Let me tell all the golf commentators out there something revolutionary:

Golf isn’t a game of suffering and drama.  It is a game of self-discovery and growth. It is hard work, successes, and failures.  You win, and you lose – it’s life.    

 

The new excuse of not playing golf is that it takes too much time. Another way of saying “I’d rather do something else.” The question should be “what else are you doing to recreate?” “What are you doing to get away from the normal stresses of life.” Where are you finding peace, joy, and re-creation? That is what golf used to be.

Now I hear club members getting mad that the weekend round took too long. What? You mean that you had a few extra minutes in nature, in a beautiful environment with your friends? It sure sounds like it sucks to me.

If you are stress that golf is taking too long – the problem is that you are living in the future. You are thinking about some future event that is affecting your present time on the golf course. What a waste of a good round of golf. What a waste of a moment.

When I teach Moe’s swing students often ask me “How long before I get it?”. Another way of saying – I’m not enjoying these moments of practice and learning so what can I do to skip this process and get to the good stuff – hitting it like Moe”. This is another way of avoiding the moment and living in the future – a place that doesn’t exist. This is insanity.