There’s nothing like a Saturday afternoon on the golf course with a few buddies. My testosterone is at an all-time high and my common sense falls somewhere at the other end of the spectrum. The first hole is a long par four, approximately 400 yards, with a slight dogleg to the right. It’s time to let the Big Dog (my driver) eat! I have already forgotten how my trusty driver just hit thirty balls on the range – and not one straight enough to hit this fairway! No worries. I tee it high and let it fly! There is a bunker on the right side of the fairway around 225 yards from the tee box. Today, I wish I would have landed there, and so does the guy whose screen enclosure I hit. Note to self: avoid purchasing a home on the right side of a fairway, 225 yards from tee box!
Now on a typical Saturday, Big Dog gets a chance to shine about 14 times a round. He will probably let me down more than half of them. This is usually about the time that I realize that my fascination with hitting the long ball has caused me to neglect my already deficient short game. Maybe next time I’ll get to the course a little early and practice my chipping and putting.
It is this practice in the little things that leads to true greatness. From amateurs to touring pros, low scores are almost always the product of a good short game. Seventy-five percent of all golf shots are hit from within 125 yards. In direct proportion, touring pros spend around 75% of their time working on their short game, those close-range techniques that focus on precision. That’s probably why they get paid for it and we still have to pay to do it!
Understanding the importance of a good short game is essential, not only in golf but in life and business. So often we place too much importance on big events and miss the seemingly smaller things that will bring us the joy and success that we long for. In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul encouraged them to wrap their minds around things that might seem obvious, but if left unchecked can cause the biggest problems.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9, NIV).
Notice that Paul never mentioned any of the “buzz words” that we use today. He didn’t mention any of the strategies that can be found in many of the business books on the shelf today. While these are important, without simple fundamentals, success can be very elusive. Paul’s advice probably won’t be quoted on Oprah or Dr. Phil, but those who put his words into practice will experience the great peace from God that was promised.
I plan on teeing it up this weekend with a different mindset. First, I will practice my short game, on and off the course. I might pull out a few of my short game clubs, like my forgiveness iron or my generosity wedge. Secondly, I plan on keeping “Big Dog” on a short leash. FORE!
