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