Realizing the value of golf on the way home with a sigh

Stretching shadows and the scorecard in hand

The round is over, and it's twilight as I load my golf bag into the car.
The orange sunset reflects off the windshield, making the world look exceptionally beautiful.

And yet, when I look at the scorecard in my hand, a small sigh escapes me.
“I made the same mistake again.”
That three-putt, that tense tee shot, that greedy approach.

Even though it's over, I keep replaying the shots in my head.
On the way home from golf, sometimes the reflection is more intense than the scenery, isn't it?

I've been there many times, too.
Even after working in the field as an instructor for a long time,
I'm just a golfer who gets discouraged after a round like anyone else.

That frustration is proof of your love for golf

I don't think dwelling on mistakes means you're weak.
It just means you were that serious about it.

“I want to get better.”
“I should have been able to do a little better today.”
Because you have those feelings, your heart gets caught up on that one shot.

Frustrating.
Pathetic.
I feel a little disappointed in myself for not doing well.

But you don't have to blame yourself for feeling that way.
I believe that frustration is proof that you faced golf with sincerity.

Even I, as an instructor, still struggle

In my 15 years as an instructor, I've watched thousands of golfers.
I often tell them, “Let's relax.”
But when it comes to my own round, that's quite difficult.

On crucial holes, my heart pounds too.
The more I think, “I don't want to make a mistake,” the more my shoulders tense up.

In a round the other day, I even chunked a wedge shot that I should have been good at,
and my friends laughed, saying, “Even you have days like that, Tomoty?”

Even after 30 years, I am still far from perfect.
That's exactly why I understand the frustration of days when things don't go well.

There is more to golf than just the score

We tend to look at golf only in terms of numbers.
But was today really just about the score?

The blue sky I saw when I suddenly looked up.
The soft light filtering through the trees.
The scent of grass that wafts by every time I walk.
The voice of a friend who laughed and said, “Let's move on to the next one” after I made a mistake.

It can't be written on a scorecard, but
today's golf was truly there.
When I think of it that way, my heart strangely feels a little lighter.

Today's words

"Saying 'thank you' and 'I'm grateful' even for the little things"

I feel these words more deeply on golf days than any other.

Not just on days when I hit a nice shot, but also on days when things didn't go as planned,
if I can think, "I was able to play today," or "I was able to walk through this scenery,"
"I was able to play today"
"I was able to walk through this scenery"
then golf becomes a little kinder.

"Thank you" is not a phrase used to force yourself to be positive.
Nor is it a phrase to cover up your frustration.

It's okay to stay frustrated.
It's okay to stay feeling down.
Even so, when you can quietly think "thank you" to the sky, the grass, and your companions,
your sigh becomes just a little bit gentler.

Golf isn't just about hitting the ball, is it?
The time spent walking, the conversations filled with laughter, and the silent road home,
I believe all of that together is golf.

A 3-second mental reset

After your round, before you put away your scorecard, try looking at the sky for just three seconds.
And in your heart, say just one "thank you."

"Thank you for the sunny weather"
"Thank you for being able to walk today"
"Thank you for playing with me"

With just that, the sharp edges of your self-reflection will soften a little.
Your feelings toward the next round will also remain a little softer.

Wanting to go back to that green again

I think golf is a truly mysterious sport.

Even though you were so frustrated and thought you never wanted to play again,
after one night passes, you find yourself thinking, "When should I go next?"

That is surely because there is something there beyond just the score.

The morning air.
The sound of the club cutting through the grass.
The moment the ball drops into the cup.
Even on the road home where you let out a sigh, the evening sky was beautiful.

I believe that all of those things together make up golf.

The fact that you are frustrated today means you faced the course with that much sincerity.
So, let's go again.
To find more "gratitude" in the next round.

[Finally, please let me hear from you]

Besides your score, what "little happiness" or "thank you" moments did you find?

"The curry at lunch was the best"
"I was moved by my partner's nice shot"

Even the smallest things are very welcome.
I would be happy if you could let me know in the comments.