| Hitting the ball is only one component of | | | | grass feels as they walk the fairway, but the |
| golf. Any golfer will tell you that there is | | | | next shot is not yet at the forefront of his |
| much more to the game. Experienced golfers | | | | or her mind. That will occur when the golfer |
| find that they must center themselves | | | | reaches the ball to tee off. |
| mentally prior to each shot. Playing golf is | | | | |
| more than simply lining themselves properly | | | | Once this point is reached, the golfer will |
| with the ball. Although it may appear to | | | | make note of his or her distance to the |
| require little effort from the golfer, there | | | | green, the weather and then select a club. By |
| is a lot happening behind the tee. | | | | not focusing on the distractions around, the |
| | | | golfer can rather focus on the shot. Thinking |
| The following statement may sound like a | | | | beforehand can affect the mental process |
| stretch to some, but there is truth behind it | | | | oftentimes causing the golfer to become tense |
| - Golf is Zen experience. This statement is | | | | and anxious behind the tee. However, the Zen |
| particularly true for the more advanced | | | | golfer should trust his or her body knowing |
| golfers, regardless of the fun and joking | | | | that the mind and body are aligned and, |
| around often observed during the game. | | | | simply, make the play. |
| | | | |
| What is Zen? Zen is simply the idea of being | | | | Of course, not every shot can be a perfect |
| completely in each moment all the time. It is | | | | shot. But, the golfer practicing Zen will not |
| about experiencing each moment of life to the | | | | allow the imperfect shots to adversely impact |
| fullest and appreciating those moments for | | | | the next shot as opposed to the golfer who |
| exactly what they are. | | | | stresses about a missed shot allowing it to |
| | | | affect the next shots. |
| This is what Zen is - being completely and | | | | |
| totally in each and every moment at all | | | | The golfer not practicing Zen will start to |
| times. It is about experiencing each and | | | | think negatively about his or her golfing |
| every moment to the fullest extent possible | | | | skills. This is, definitely, not going to |
| while also appreciating the moment for what | | | | help improve your game whether you are a |
| it is. | | | | die-hard golfer, in the early stages of |
| | | | learning golf or an occasional golfer as part |
| Zen and golf correspond all throughout the | | | | of a golf club or group. Once you are out on |
| game. A golfer practicing Zen will notice | | | | the course, you are a golfer and negative |
| everything around such as the direction and | | | | thoughts will impact you just as another. |
| force of the breeze. Yet, the golfer is not | | | | Don't be surprised, though, if you don't hear |
| actively thinking about his or her | | | | about his in your local golf club! |
| surroundings. He or she may notice how the | | | | |