What is happiness? A simple question yet many of us would find it difficult to answer. Some of us neglect the simple pleasures of playing golf. My Happy Golf, the quest for finding joy in every shot is a continuous journey of self-improvement. It doesn’t matter whether you are a newbie or a pro. If you understand the impact of this sport on your life, you will appreciate it better. A happy golf game is relatively what everyone wants to achieve.
Setting your expectations right to be happy
Not every shot is great. Not every game is a win. But it doesn’t mean that you didn’t enjoy the game. Whenever you are playing golf, it would be great to set expectations for yourself. This will keep your level of happiness in check. Think of it, if you put too much pressure on yourself to do great shots every time or to win every game, would you be enjoying yourself?
Professional athletes in the likes of Phil Mikelson or Tiger Woods may have great swings. But imagine the amount of pressure they have to endure in every game. But, it doesn’t mean that they are not happy. They’re just playing on a different level of happiness metrics. Their happiness may be in the form of a hole-in-one while you could be jumping for joy just being able to hit the ball. Yes, happiness is relative and every individual has different expectations set upon themselves.
Remember that the higher the expectation we set for ourselves, the greater the frustration we would feel if we fail or have fallen short. On the other hand, there is no harm in setting a standard aimed to help us improve our game. The important thing is to have a balance between expectations and setting standards.
Finding joy in self-improvement
If you enjoy playing golf, know that it entails a never-ending journey of self-improvement. You don’t become a better player just after a single game. Although you are just playing for fun, take time to set goals. You’ll realize the happiness it brings you knowing that you are slowly achieving the goals you’ve set yourself. You will soon find joy in self-improvement. Just be warned that sometimes, we become more critical and dissatisfied with ourselves the higher the goals we set.
Enjoy the journey and celebrate small wins
To have a happy golf game, learn how to celebrate small wins. Make sure that you are not too fixated on just winning. Check your skills, and realize how far you have come. How does your swing look now? Can you hit the ball better than a few months back? Celebrate your progress and be happy in your game. Instead of solely fixating on future goals, take a moment to reflect on how far you have come. No matter how small your progress is, learn to embrace and celebrate it. It is a good reminder that you have dedicated your time, and effort to further improve yourself. Savor that sense of pride and satisfaction.
Strike a balance between expectations and contentment
The lack of contentment is one of the causes why most people are unhappy. Learn to strike a balance between your expectations and your level of contentment. What are the positive sides of setting expectations?
- You are motivated to achieve your goal.
- You know where you are going in terms of improving your golf game.
- You can identify and track your progress.
What are the downsides of expectation?
- You may be putting too much pressure on yourself.
- You are no longer happy playing golf.
- You become too frustrated with yourself.
Remember, happiness is not solely determined by your skill level or handicap. Happiness is relative. It differs from one person to another depending on their state of mind. To better appreciate the joy of playing golf, you can build camaraderie with fellow golfers. Strong connections with others offer happiness too.
Finding Lasting Happiness in Golf
So how do you achieve a happy golf game? Finding joy in this sport means appreciating the process of learning, and learning to celebrate your progress. In addition, find contentment with yourself as you play the game. Reflect on the improvements you’ve achieved, the friendship you’ve built, and the skills you’ve learned. Do not be hard on yourself every time you play the game,
In playing golf, learn to strive for improvement while still enjoying yourself on the golf course. What’s the point of playing in the first place, if you just expect yourself to be frustrated? Keep a positive outlook and open mind whenever you play golf. A happy golf game does not always mean winning. It’s about appreciating yourself and the skills you have.