I've found that golf, like any other pursuit in life, requires certain disciplines for effective learning and improved performance. You can't just show up at the course without any physical or mental preparation and expect to enjoy yourself or score well. To excel at golf, you need a plan, an attitude, a reason, and an ability to play.

To keep things simple, I've turned G.O.L.F. into an acronym that identifies the disciplines I've discovered that help me play artful golf - a creative game that I continue to enjoy and improve at.

G.O.L.F. = Goals, Openness, Love, Freedom.

G is for Goals - the plan for play. The Artful Golfer sets goals for every shot, every hole, every round, even every season. Each shot is taken only after conditions are evaluated, a club is selected, and a precise target and flight path is determined. A tee shot follows an exact plan for how a hole will be played, based on evaluation of course conditions, hazards, and ability. A round of golf begins after the golfer determines desired results, whether it's the enjoyment of the surroundings and friends, to swing freely, or to improve execution of a certain attitude or skill. Goals for entire season are set with the intention of increasing not only performance, but enjoyment and maturity.

O is for an Open mind - the attitude for play. The Artful Golfer is open to possibility, open to creativity, open to risk, open to patience, open to consequences, open to luck, open to guidance, and even open to technology. The Artful Golfer is open to and expectant of the extraordinary, while at the same time open to and accepting of poor or ordinary results. While open to the possibility of extraordinary play, he accepts the ability, luck, and lack there of, that he brings to the course each round.

L is for Love of the game - the reason to play. The Artful Golfer knows why he plays. He may love the competition, being outdoors, being in nature, being with friends, being challenged, making putts, hitting long drives, learning more about himself, or the opportunity for personal growth. His love of the game produces the integrity to play by the rules and the gratitude to appreciate that he has the health, finances, and time to play.

F is for Freedom - the ability to play. The Artful Golfer plays with a complete sense of freedom - freedom from fear of failure or disappoinment, freedom from swing thoughts or formulas, freedom from impressing others, freedom from judgement, and even freedom from hope and expectation. The golfer's ability to develop skills and to reach his creative and physical potential can only be realized when his mind is free from fear and interference. As Fred Shoemaker shares, "Freedom is stepping up to a shot unburdened by the past, with a future full of possibilities."

The Artful Golfer Loves to play with the Goal of swinging Freely, Open to a future of extraordinary possibilities. I'll explore these artful disciplines in more depth in upcoming entries.

Labels: Disciplines, Fear, Goals, Love, Openness