Summer is really the only season for golf in my opinion, around here at least.  My parents and many other folks in this area move south in the winter and play golf year round.  But for those of us who are here, summer is the golf season.  

There are many courses to choose from; each one offers different challenges and views, and it is a nice way to spend a few hours outside.  Or, it can be a “good walk spoiled” as the satirical saying goes—it’s all about perspective. 

Learning how to golf can be an arduous process, but the sport can come more naturally to people than you’d think.  Taking a cane shaped club and hitting a ball and chasing it around long fields seems ridiculous, and some people think it is.  But it can be surprisingly fun, and rewarding.  

There are many books written about golf; one of my favorites is called “18 Holes” and is by Gregory Liberto, aka “The Head Coach.”  The book gives you 18 golf tips to help your game, but many of the tips can be translated into life lessons, outlooks and problem solving methods.  

Golf is interesting in the sense that the goal is to hit the ball the fewest times in the most efficient way possible.  Nine holes will get you outside for two full hours in most cases; double it for 18; if you’re playing solo in the middle of the week at some local courses, quicker rounds can be achieved.  

Playing golf can also be a social experience, mostly littered with small talk and friendly heckling, or longer conversations that must sustain multiple pauses while each person hits and finds each ball.  

The funny part is, you must be focused on the game while playing your own game with people. Here’s what I mean: One of my favorite tips in that book is about being extremely focused for each shot, but in between each shot, focusing on overall headspace and not overthinking a previous or future shot can be advantageous.  

When I am struggling during a round of golf, which is during most rounds at some point,  I often go back to my instinct to look at my target and hit the ball there, visualizing success.  I forget the rest of the mumbo jumbo I’ve learned or what people are telling me as I step up to the ball.

Trusting our instinct is something we can learn to do and can benefit us in all walks of life, not just on the golf course.   I’m usually happy if I can put three to five good holes together in the birdie or par range, then bogeys and double bogeys usually fill the remainder of my scorecard.  Although I do keep score on most rounds, it’s not really the score I am after when I step onto the course.  It’s that smell of fresh air, putting trust in my body, and playing a game to pass the time away.  It’s nice to focus on something difficult, play a sport by yourself or with friends and family, all while being outside.  

Practicing your short game around your home property is also a good way to cut strokes off your game.  Repetition, muscle memory and club-to-eye coordination will only improve with more practice.   

Grab your clubs, and “Step Outside” for a nice round of golf.  Or on the next stormy day turn on “Caddyshack” or “Happy Gilmore” and have some laughs.  Those two comedies take the cake for funniest golf films.  And remember to visualize your successes before they happen.