My ZEN in Golf

/ The Grateful Golfer

Inner CalmOver the years I have matured and accepted that I can only control certain things on the golf course. It is very challenging for my ego to realize that at any given time, my plan for a great game can come of the rails. Conversely, my game can quickly turn around and exceed all my expectations, but I never seem to know when.

I sometimes wonder what is the key factor to feeling my ZEN throughout my entire round. Keeping my cool and remaining calm is extremely important to low scores. Yet as I think about the positive aspects of my ZEN, I cannot help but wonder if there is more to the “Jason Dufner” calm on the golf course?

Zen in golf is more that just repeating a mantra or willing myself to ignore a bad shot. It starts earlier than when I step up on to the first tee. It should start hours before, although life gets in the way sometimes, mentally preparing myself for an awesome round on the links.

I try to visualize my round. Think of the great shots I am going to make and the low scores I anticipate writing on the scorecard. I start to hydrate to make sure I have enough energy down the home stretch of my round. I try to quietly stretch and limber up before I hit the range to practice. I should take the time to breath and enjoy my surroundings as I prepare for my round. All these, and a few others, help create my ZEN before I hit the links!

My ZEN on the course is rooted in routine, confidence, and enjoying my time on the links. I take tiny pleasures in seeing a beautiful flower, a sunrise, or how the grass was recently cut. I focus on my good shots, and try to accept the not so good shots. My ZEN is a constant effort of just being.

I find that when my ZEN is high, I play very well. I am focused on the shots at hand and innately incorporate the conditions of the course into my decision-making. I just enjoy all aspects of playing golf. Zen is important to my game!

What do you think? Does ZEN play any part of your game?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links….very soon!

15 thoughts on “My ZEN in Golf”

  1. Pingback: Trying to Hard in Golf – The Grateful Golfer

  3. I beat the best golfer in my league in match play a couple years ago, after spending all morning just calmly visualizing every shot. Did not panic when I was down 2 with 2 holes to play. Came back to tie, then win on the first extra hole! Zen golf, it works!

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  4. Ah, the zen state for golf. I don’t visit there enough and am hopeful I cam smile more and accept all shots and move on, relaxed and confident. We’ll see how that goes in 2016 but I know it’s something that happens one shot, one moment at a time.
    Mike

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  5. Jim,

    Couldn’t have summed it up better myself. Playing calm and collected isn’t only going to help your score, but it also just makes the game more fun in general. Great advice!

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  8. Jim, do you meditate before a round to try and get in a state of Zen? I have never been able to do that or predict when I get into the state; it just happens and sometimes it doesn’t. When it does, it is immensely pleasurable and for me, seems to have the common denominators of excellent course conditions and good driving of the golf ball. I’d like to think my round today will be in Zen but it’s just on a county muni in early spring. Am thinking the round I’ll play on Sunday morning before The Masters will be Zen-like with all the greatness and anticipation of a fabulous golf filled day. Can’t wait!

    Thanks and play well!

    Brian

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    • Brian

      I meditate before competitive rounds. I try to set my mind in the right place for playing. I try to take at least 5 or 10 minutes to clear my head and for the most part it is successful. I think if you start focusing on the positive aspects of your round today might help bring out the ZEN! You are already framing the proper ZEN for your round in April. Good luck today. I look for to hearing about how your ZEN was awesome today!

      Cheers
      Jim

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