03/30/2026
Golf is Peaceful Chaos ⛳️
Golf is supposed to be relaxing right? It depends on what you mean. Overall, I would say it’s a challenging game in a mostly relaxed environment, but that’s not always the case either. Sometimes, golf is very tense and chaotic and you’re hanging on for dear life.
When I play in a group of 4, we typically are playing 2 vs 2, which adds a layer of challenge to an already challenging game. Is it fun, yes. Is it relaxing, kind of. Between golf shots you’re laughing, strategizes, or talking trash, but when you’re over the ball you need to focus and try and hit a good shot.
Sure you’re outside and typically riding in a cart, or walking, with adult beverages generally included. But you’re also in battle with yourself and others and that’s very stimulating. If you’re thinking golf is “Zen” that’s not generally the case.
Playing “Zen Golf” requires practicing peace while being active. You can’t meditate with your eyes closed and play golf at the same time. What you can do is acknowledge the challenge in front of you, approach it honestly, stay loose but intentional, put your best swing on the ball, and accept the result.
Working hard doesn’t require intensity, it requires honesty. Managing your energy requires us to break down the challenge into smaller pieces. If a building is on fire, like many of us feel about our game sometimes, firefighters aren’t trying to put the whole fire out at once, there’s many small things they have to be aware of first.
When a world class sprinter runs really fast it looks very intense and difficult. But look at them after the race; they look like they could easily go do it again. Their conditioning has allowed them to be explosive in an organized way in an intense environment.
If you’re missing something in your game, you have to address it honestly and learn how to work on it. I have to work on my Initial Starting Line with Putting. When I train, the reps alone won’t transfer. I’m also training my mind in terms of the level of focus and intensity I want to bring to the golf course.
Putting practice is going to be different than Driver practice. My intensity may be higher with a driver so I can be more explosive. My iron game is somewhere in the middle with precision and power. My wedge game is closer to putting but with creativity mixed in. It’s “the game within the game.”
Creating peace from chaos is managing a bunch of little details in a honest and consistent way.
As a coach, my job is to help you find the little things and help you address them honestly and practice effectively. ⛳️
- Coach Zach
