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Stymied in Life? Try God & Golf!Date: Sun Apr 27, 2003 12:55 pmSubject: Stymied in Life? Try God & Golf! Stymied in Life? Try God & Golf! http://www.sulekha.com/chpost.asp...m=sports&show=0&cid=71344 Golf: Stymied, Sclaffed, Baffed and Dormied http://www.civilization.ca/hist/golf/gohol01e.html The game of golf is so much a part of our society that terms from the language of golf have become part of everyday speech, such as, "that's par for the course," and "stymied." In the game of golf the "stymie" describes a condition on the putting green when a player's ball lies between the opponent's ball and the hole (see Figure 33). Although the original stymie rule was discontinued in 1953, we are still "stymied" in life by a situation that is not easily resolved. http://www.worldgolf.com/wglibrary/reference/dictionary/spage.html Stymie: When an opponent's ball is in the line of the other player's putt. Since the ball may now be lifted, the term is used these days to refer to a tree or object in the way of a shot http://www.newjerseygolf.net/features/faq/definitions.shtml Dormie is a matchplay term used to describe a situation where a player or team cannot lose the match in regulation. This occurs when one player or team is leading a match by the same number of holes as remain to play. For example, a player or team leads by 3 holes with 3 holes to play. The best the opposing player or team can hope for is to win all the remaining holes and tie the match. If the opposing player or team loses or halves any of the remaining holes then match is immediately over. http://www.m-w.com/mw/textonly/wftw/5897.htm If you ask a duffer whether it's better to sclaff or baff, he'll baff every time. In golf, to sclaff is to scrape the ground instead of hitting the ball cleanly, and to baff is to make a stroke in which the sole of the golf club strikes the ground and lofts the ball. But if you baff, hope the ball neither slices nor hooks. A slice starts on a straight course, but then curves, usually to the right for right- handed players or to the left for lefties. A hook curves sharply in the direction opposite to the dominant hand of the player. Other strokes golfers prefer to leave at home include shanking (hitting with the extreme heel of the club so the ball goes sharply to the right), smothering (hitting low through faulty execution of a loft stroke), and fading (curving a ball to the player's off side). Anyway you slice it, these shots are all foozles, that is, bungled strokes. If a golfer can't carry a trap (that is, pass over it at a single stroke), he or she will try to blast it out (in links lingo, blasting means "hitting a golf ball out of a sand trap with explosive force"). But the best feeling of all comes from canning -- that is, "hitting a golf shot into the cup." ====== Golf for Enlightenment: The Seven Lessons for the Game of Life by Deepak Chopra Chopra turns his mind-body eye on golf, a recently acquired personal hobby. Unfortunately, he juxtaposes his metaphysical approach to enjoyment and mastery of the game with a less-than-masterful fiction about Adam Seaver, a 36-year-old Bostonian who often lets his emotions and ego interfere with his golf swing. Adam encounters a mysterious male stranger during a particularly horrendous round of golf. When Adam follows the stranger's instructions and shows up at an isolated shack for some much-needed lessons, a young, attractive woman named Wendy appears and proceeds to teach Adam about his inner game. Each lesson is separated into three parts: The Lesson (the fiction), Playing the Game (what the lesson taught Adam about golf) and Applied to Life (the relationship of golf to a happier, more spiritual life). Adam eventually falls in love with Wendy and achieves the perfect swing, only to have both suddenly disappear. Chopra posits that life and golf are similar games and each can be mastered-offering maxims such as, "You and the ball are one," "Play from your heart to the hole," and "Let the game play you"-but the appeal to the average golfer may be limited. Play It As It Lies: Golf and the Spiritual Life by Mike Linder Mike Linder was an English teacher and is now a Catholic priest, but he has been an avid, mostly average golfer his whole life. As such, he has taken the game on his spiritual journey. Having been a student of the game and a fan since he was a kid, his insights about balancing mental, physical and emotional sides; control versus letting go; and taking responsibility are truly universal. This is an excellent read for the avid golfer, as well as the novice more interested in the real lessons of this most complicated and frustrating of games. A Hole in One and Other Life Lessons Golf Is your spiritual life in the rough? DAN BOLIN is president of KVNE/KGLY Christian radio serving East Texas and northwest Louisiana. Dan is also president of Dan Bolin Resources, Inc., which provides ministry, marketing, management, and fundraising support for nonprofit ministries. Dan speaks regularly throughout the United States and internationally and has appeared on a variety of television and radio programs Get on the green with God as you learn to counteract the world's pressure and fly straight for Christ. Rather than straining to be a "super saint" who always makes a hole in one, discover realistic ways to lower your spiritual handicap and move closer to God. In under ten minutes of daily reflection, deepen your walk with Him through Scripture reading, golf highlights, questions to check your "scorecard," and personal stories. Apply a spiritual truth and lesson for daily living as you relate God to every aspect of your life--even your favorite sport! Golf & the Spirit: Lessons for the Journey Rich with wisdom, anecdotes, and the ultimate fantasy golf course, this new audiocassette proposes golf as a springboard for personal and spiritual growth http://www.electricscotland.com/humour/h58.htm Robert and Angus are golfing on a lovely day when Robert misses an easy putt. 'Dammit!' he exclaims. 'Missed t' wee bugger!' 'Oh you shouldn't use language like that,' warned Angus. "God'll strike ye down wi' a bolt o' lightnin.' Robert grumbles and ignores his friend. A few moments later Angus is getting ready to putt when a lightning bolt shoots straight out of the sky and strikes him dead. God exclaims: 'Dammit! Missed the bugger!' In His Grip: Insights on God and Golf PGA Tour player Wally Armstrong and amateur golf devotee Jim Sheard show how principles of golf mirror a Christian life. With an inspirational introduction by Billy Graham and a foreword by Tom Lehman and Steve Jones. ISBN: 08499-5329-4 Contents FOREWORD PREFACE INTRODUCTION PART ONE Living in God's Grip In His Grip.....................................................19 Be Strong and Courageous.............................20 Abounding in Hope........................................21 If the Lord Permits.........................................23 Perseverance.................................................24 The Confidence to Win...................................25 PART TWO Purpose and Direction for Life Success or Significance....................................27 Your Chapter in the Book................................29 A Life of Learning...........................................30 Today's PreparationTomorrow's Performance...31 Find Your Game.............................................32 PART THREE Preparation for the Course See Your Teacher.........................................35 Select Your Teacher.......................................36 Habit Formation..............................................37 Keep a Journal...............................................38 Training Aids..................................................40 Live Hands; Loving Heart................................41 Swing Thoughts for Today..............................44 Practice the Short Shots..................................45 A Good Pre-Shot Routine...............................47 PART FOUR Fundamentals for Golf and Life Grip on the Word...........................................49 A Live-Handed Grip.......................................50 The Live-Hands Drill.......................................52 Steadfast Position...........................................53 Alignment.....................................................55 Power Sources..............................................56 Muscle Tone.................................................57 PART FIVE Unleashing Power: The Swing The Power of Centrifugal Force....................59 Be at Ease, Do Not Freeze...........................60 A Tension-Free Swing..................................62 Trust Your Swing..........................................63 Balance.......................................................65 Timing.........................................................66 The Release.................................................68 The Gallery Finish.........................................69 PART SIX Facing Adversity Adversity Is God's Opportunity.....................71 Focus on the Target, Not the Adversity.........72 Playing from the Bunkers...............................76 Play It as It Lies............................................77 Discipline to Endure.......................................78 PART SEVEN Prayer and Praise to God The Course Designer.....................................81 Alignment of Head and Eyes..........................82 Constant in Prayer.........................................84 Playing Amen Corner.....................................85 PART EIGHT Dealing with the Sin in Your Life The Core Is in Character................................87 The "S" Word...............................................88 Sin of Pride..................................................90 Confession of Sin..........................................91 Life's Biggest "Gimme"...................................93 PART NINE Christ Is the Answer Recruiting for God's Squad...........................95 Golf—A Metaphor for Life...........................96 The Master's Ticket.......................................97 A Game of Opposites....................................98 PART TEN God's Spirit at Work in US Servants of Christ.......................................103 The Fruit of Your Labor..............................104 It's in the Bag.............................................105 No Timidity Allowed..................................106 Playing with Patience..................................108 PART ELEVEN Our Relationships Our Family Is Job #1.................................111 The Encouragement of Friends...................112 Been There! Done That!............................113 Hospitality to Strangers..............................116 Iron Sharpens Iron.....................................117 The Body of Christ—A Bag of Clubs.........118 PART TWELVE Keep on Going to the Finish Press on Toward the Mark........................121 Live One Step at a Time............................124 Finish the Race—Keep the Faith...............125 Chapter One In His Grip Psalm 37:23-24 KEY VERSE The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. (Ps. 37:23-24 KJV) On January 30, 1996, Jim marked that passage from Psalms in his Bible and noted the date. Jim was two months into the most difficult year of his fifty-four years of life. Even with all the trappings of material success, his life was in shambles. No longer able to hold down his executive position due to clinical depression, he sought answers to life's most challenging questions: What is the meaning of it all? Why has God not allowed me to fulfill the career he gave me? How will I provide for my family, find health insurance, have enough money for retirement? How can I enjoy golf if I don't even have the energy to walk eighteen holes? What am I to do with these intense emotions and feelings that keep invading my mind and body? How do I relate to my family and friends? Exactly one year later, Jim came to this Psalm in his Bible again. That's when he realized it was God alone who had sustained him during that difficult time. Jim realized more clearly than ever that he had been in God's grip. Today, when the course of life is tough for you when the "bunkers" at work or with your family seem impossibly high, when you don't know if you'll make the "green" in regulation, and when it seems there are few answers from a God who seems distant, rest assured there is a God who cares enough to hold you in his grip. Be Strong and Courageous Joshua 1:5-9 KEY VERSE Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Josh. 1:9) As Tom Lehman prepared for the final round of the 1996 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills in Birmingham, Michigan, he read Joshua 1:9, which speaks of being strong and courageous. This passage of Scripture was just the inspiration he needed for the final round in which he paired with his friend, Steve Jones. As Tom and Steve walked down the first fairway, they prayed and spoke about truths they had learned from passages in Joshua. They reminded themselves of God's promise in verse eight, "... for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success." This verse was what they needed throughout the day as they battled the challenges and pressures that only the final round of a major can bring. Although they were competing against each other for the U.S. Open title, when Steve hit his tee shot into the woods on the sixteenth hole, Tom encouraged him by reminding him that, "The Lord wants us to be strong and courageous." For Tom it would have been easy to see this as an opportunity to prevail against his friend rather than to encourage him. For Steve it would have been easy to falter, but instead he persevered and did not become discouraged. Although Steve won the U.S. Open title that day, both men experienced God's encouragement. From this experience Tom and Steve were reminded that they didn't need to be frightened or dismayed because strength and courage could be theirs—if they continually went to the right source. While God promises to make our way prosperous and successful, it does not mean we will win every championship or succeed in every situation. It's that way in golf, and it's that way in life. Abounding in Hope Romans 15:1-13 KEY VERSE May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Rom. 15:13) The headline of the Golfweek, June 22, 1996, reads "Hallelujah! Jones completes comeback with U.S. Open victory." The cover photo shows Steve Jones with his arms raised high in the air, his putter in his right hand. He is obviously shouting for joy just like the caption says: "Steve Jones rejoices after paring the 72nd hole and winning his first major title." The article relates what a long shot it was for Steve to win the tournament. He had not won since 1989 and hadn't finished better than fourth since 1991. He was 100th in the worldwide Sony rankings and had missed three seasons due to a finger injury in a dirt bike accident. For a while, Steve and others wondered if he would ever play again. Hallelujah was the right word for that headline, A combination of two Greek words for "praise" and "Jehovah," it literally means "Praise the Lord"—Steve's exact words following his great victory. In fact, when you look at the photograph of Steve after his win, you can almost see the word "hallelujah" jump off the page. He felt that much joy. Hallelujah is a word we can all use to express our gratitude to God for all his marvelous works in our lives. If the Lord Permits 1 Corinthians 16:4-9 KEY VERSE For I do not want to see you now just in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. (1 Cor. 16:7) While the television audience saw Tom Lehman's name being engraved on the coveted Claret Jug, they did not see the actual presentation of the trophy for his winning the 1996 British Open. When Tom spoke to the assembled members of Royal Lytham & St. Anne's, accepting the Claret Jug, he said, I just want to thank God for giving me this opportunity today to play in this tournament—to win this tournament. I really believe that God loves all of us. He has a special plan for our lives. Fortunately for me, today, it was in his plan for me to win. I know He cares about me. I know He cares about you. God bless you all. Thank you very much. God truly does have a plan for our lives—just as God had a plan for Tom to win that day. That is why we do well to hear the words of the apostle Paul who says he will spend time in Macedonia, "if the Lord permits." We have plans, but God directs our steps. With God as our source of strength, we can be focused on our goals and at the same time be spiritually flexible. The first thing we must do is make our first priorities (verses 4-5) consistent with God's priorities. Then we are free to make detailed flexible commitments (verses 6-7) ... as he permits. We can trust in God's provision (verse 6) and adapt to the practical flow of life (verse  as circumstances allow. The result of our faithfulness will
be fruitful fields with wide open doors, even though there will always be frustrating foes who will oppose God's work in our lives (verse 9). What happens to us on the golf course—and in all of life—is under God's control. Our job is simply to do our best and trust him for the results. Perseverance Philippians 4:11-13 KEY VERSE I can do all things in him who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) An advertisement for Taylor Made[TM] described Tom Lehman as "dedicated, humble, and persevering." That's truth in advertising! That's the man he really is. When testifying of his faith in Christ, Tom says he believes God has given him the strength to endure. He has played golf longer and spent more time on the so-called mini-tours than most of his competitors. When it might have been easy to give up and take the coaching job at Minnesota, Tom and his wife Melissa sensed that God wanted him to persevere in playing golf. It was a difficult decision, and there were days when they wondered if they'd be able to pay their bills. But Tom did persevere, and it paid off when he was named PGA Player of the Year in 1996 after winning the British Open. That year he was the top money winner on the tour and was rated second in the worldwide Sony rankings. Philippians 4:11-13 describes the kind of perseverance that we should all want as our hallmark for living. Paul says we can do all things that are in God's will if we allow him to be our strength. That is how we, like Paul, will learn to face plenty and hunger, abundance and want. Scott Simpson once said, "I want the same discipline in my faith that I have in my golf game." So it should be with you and me. We need both discipline and perseverance, and God will help us in our pursuit of both. The Confidence to Win Proverbs 3:21-35 KEY VERSE The Lord will be your confidence.... (Prov. 3:26) When severe rains caused the delay of the 1996 Players Championship in Tulsa, Tom Lehman led the tournament by nine strokes. If the washed-out course couldn't be prepared for play on Monday, Tom would win the tournament, the money, and the scoring titles for 1996 without even playing the final round. But Tom wanted the opportunity to play the full seventy-two holes to win the Players' Tournament—and the other titles that would be his by virtue of this win. He wanted to win without the asterisk of only 54 holes played stamped in his mind and in the minds of others. He also wanted to demonstrate that he had the confidence and ability to prevail. Tom says one of the greatest lessons he has learned while struggling to make a living on the tour has been one of confidence in his ability to win. He says there was very little difference in his ability to play back in the 1980's, but he had not learned to play with confidence, to trust his ability. Through the years, as circumstances set up roadblocks to his goals and dreams—like the bad bounce into the fairway bunker on the 18th hole of the 1996 U.S. Open— Tom gained the confidence to fight back and to overcome the challenges that are part of the game of golf, and of life itself. Without God as his sourced of strength and courage, it is unlikely Tom would have developed that confidence. God has gifted Tom with the ability to play the game of golf and has helped him gain the confidence he needs to win. =============== GEORGIA GROUP GETS A GRIP ON GOD, GOLF, AND OUTREACH from the Links Letter, August/September 2000 A planned community with six golf courses for members to choose from is just about every golfer's dream. Add to that mild Georgia winters, and you have the makings of a coastal paradise. But Marolyn Overton and the members of the Skidaway Island Links Fellowship know that there is no true heaven on earth. So they do all they can to use golf to tell people about the heaven to come for those who know Jesus Christ. The Skidaway Island group began with eight members in 1997, as a part of the Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church. The group sponsors monthly meetings and golf rounds, as well as an annual banquet and tournament each November. And by simple word-of-mouth invitation, the group now regularly reaches more than 200 golfers in many area churches. "We are facing problems because we have wandered away from God," Overton says. "We need to join hands. One church can't do it alone." With a great desire to bring followers of Christ together, the group has adopted the theme of God and golf. The parallels are many (see box for some examples), and Overton says they are important in reaching out to those who might otherwise be hesitant to get involved with God. "A lot of men are scared to talk about their feelings," Overton says. "But by seeing some of the professional players who have spoken openly about their faith, these men say, 'Maybe that is OK.' And they come out." MONTHLY GATHERINGS With the growing involvement, Skidaway Island Links is able to conduct a monthly Saturday gathering, with lunch, devotions, and golf. About 60 players make it each month. The devotions are led by members of the group, and Overton creates a monthly scripture reading list for the members. Then the golfers head for the course. "Each month we want one golf course where we take over the course for God," Overton says. The group has grown best by simple conversation. "You do have to invite people," Overton says. "Newspaper ads or bulletin announcements get a few people, but you have to talk to people. People talking to people is what causes it to grow." And Overton knows just what to tell people to get them to join the group. "I tell them we need more focus on God," she says. "When you truly have Christ at the core of your life, the peace that exists is wonderful." And if the people to whom she speaks are not so eager? "I tell them to give it a try," Overton explains. "Almost always, if they come once, they come back." REACHING OUT But the Skidaway Island group is not only about feeding its own. Each year, the group raises money for two international causes: Faith in Practice and the God Child Project. Faith in Practice is a medical outreach to the community of Los Gatos, Guatemala. For as much as nine months of the year, doctors serve in short-term teams, bringing the Guatemalan people critical medical care and health education. The God Child Project allows believers to "adopt" children in Los Gatos, supporting them with basic needs, such as food and clothing. Skidaway Island Links raises much of its support for these missions through its annual November tournament. In 1999, the group sold a special golf chamois, featuring the group's motto, "Getting a Grip on God and Golf." Additionally, tournament sponsors purchased tee markers with various Bible verses displayed on them. ============ The Brother From Another Planet Talk to us, Tiger: What's the secret of life? By Robert Wright Posted Tuesday, August 22, 2000, at 12:00 AM PT I think Tiger Woods owes the world an explanation. With yesterday's victory in the PGA tournament, he put still more distance between himself and all mortals who have ever played golf. Even Jack Nicklaus, long considered the greatest ever, now concedes that he was never this good. The only question left is: What exactly is Woods' secret? That is the question that Woods is now morally obliged to address. is to hoard a precious resource. It's like OPEC deciding to stop oil production altogether. In fact, it's worse than that. Oil is just oil. What Woods possesses is the secret of life. After all, the things that keep you from succeeding in golf (I speak from experience) are things that can keep you from succeeding in life: getting unhinged by recent mistakes, getting nervous about what observers will think of you, letting your intense dislike of rivals distract you from the important task of abjectly humiliating them, and so on. The key to golf is focus, the key to life is focus, and Tiger has the key. I've done my share of armchair theorizing about what makes Woods great. I've argued that he uniquely manages to reconcile Attila the Hun's competitive fury with a Gandhiesque equanimity . I've argued that his Buddhist upbringing was essential to the equanimity part . But enough speculation. It's time for Woods to venture beyond the terse, stock answers he gives on those network TV interviews, to speak candidly about matters of golf and spirit. He needs to spend an hour with a probing interviewer. I volunteer for the job. Now, I realize Woods is a busy man. So I hereby offer him FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS to sit down for an in-depth chat with me. And I may be able to use my Slate connection to land a matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which would bring the total up to a cool one thousand. Plus, Slate's editor, Mike Kinsley, after some cajoling, has agreed to throw in a dollar. Let me summarize: As much as ONE THOUSAND AND ONE DOLLARS can be Tiger's for answering a couple of dozen questions about life and golf, and one or two questions about my backswing. I'm serious—not about me doing the interview, but about the need for somebody to do a revealing interview. TV interviewers typically use their two or three minutes with Tiger to ask questions such as: How does it feel to win the U.S. Open on Father's Day? (Correct answer: good.) We need questions that will generate news you can use. For example: 1) Woods has said Buddhism is important in his life, but, to my knowledge, he hasn't elaborated. Does he meditate every day? By answering "yes" he could change the daily rhythms of life for millions of golfers, maybe even inject a little ashram ambience into suburban country clubs. (Ever seen the movie Caddyshack? Picture Rodney Dangerfield in the lotus position.) 2) Bobby Fischer, the eccentric chess champion of a few decades ago, once said that his favorite thing about chess was the moment when he looked across the board and could tell that his opponent's ego was crushed. Does Tiger have similar feelings? Or has he attained the sort of detachment that the Buddha would counsel, and that in principle should be good for your golf game by screening out distracting impulses of animosity? And so on … Until people start asking Woods such questions, and he starts answering them, he'll remain an enigma. He might as well be a visitor from an advanced civilization in another galaxy—which, actually, is a theory I haven't ruled out. Postscript: In my last column on Woods, by way of stressing the natural link between Buddhism and golf, I noted the importance of emptying your mind of conscious thought at the moment of your swing. A reader wrote in to "The Fray" arguing that baseball sage Yogi Berra had made the same point in saying that you can't swing and think at the same time. (This prompted another reader to quip that maybe that's why they called him Yogi.) It's true that thought can be the enemy of performance in just about all sports. The difference is that in most athletic endeavors—including hitting a baseball—you're reacting to something, so you don't have time to think anyway. Many sports have their momentary exceptions, such as shooting free throws in basketball (which, as Shaquille O'Neal has proved, can become a serious mind-control problem). The nearly unique thing about golf is that it is never reactive. Every shot you take is an invitation to overthink, to become a head case—an invitation that it has always been my policy to accept. |