Golf offers life lessons off fairway

  • Published
  • By Maj. Benjamin Snow
  • 100th Maintenance Squadron
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (AFPN) --  A couple of weeks ago, my 9-year-old son took golf lessons for the first time. As a result, a lot of our evening discussions and debates were centered on golf and the finer aspects of it. This included watching the British Open whenever it was on and setting up a putting green in the middle of our living room for most of the week.

I like golf as much as most people, but it is definitely not one of my obsessions. Nevertheless, it occurred to me a person can learn a lot of life’s lessons from golf.

Lesson number one: You have to know where you want to go if you want to get there.

In golf, your goal is to get the little white ball down to the green. But, if you don’t keep your eye on the flag and concentrate on the issue at hand, your ball will end up on the fairway beside you.

This is true in life, too. It is so easy to watch and see what others are doing you forget to keep your eyes on what you are doing and what your goals are. Your goal may be to be a chief master sergeant, a colonel, or maybe a good parent or supervisor. If you don’t keep your goals out there in front of you, you will get sidetracked and miss opportunities.

Lesson number two: Stay out of the sandtraps because it is really hard to get back out.

Have you ever really thought of what the impact of your actions will be to your career? That one moment of “fun” could have a dramatic effect on you. It may prevent you from being a below-the-zone candidate or from getting considered for a medal or special-duty assignment. It might result in the loss of rank, or even worse, end your career.

It is so much better to stay out of trouble than to try to dig yourself out of it. Have a plan when you go out for the night, and stick to it. Don’t let your friends, your emotions or a bad decision put a mark on your career that will take years to overcome. Worse yet, don’t put your career in the hands of someone else. Take charge, and shape the future you want.

Lesson number three: Life is going to throw you curves, or in golf, a slice.

Be ready. A slice happens to everyone at some point in time. It is how you react to that slice and adjust your game accordingly that determine whether you win or lose. Play it safe, and get your life back on the smooth fairway. Don’t compound the problem by making a risky shot and hit a tree or become lost in the woods.

Lesson number four: Follow through.

Establish your goals, set your plan of attack and stick to it.

There are 100 things that will get in your way: an unexpected temporary duty away from station, a relationship, a new job, a new boss, sports, hobbies, money -- the list is endless. Everyone has issues that fight for attention. You have to figure out what is important to you, be willing to sacrifice in the short term to achieve long term-goals, and push everything else to the side and persevere.

Lesson number five: Never, ever leave the putting green in the middle of the living-room floor, or your new putter may just disappear. Of course, this may just be a life lesson for our house, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

You never know what opportunities will come or when they will come. You never know where life will take you, but if you are prepared for those opportunities, you will be ready to seize them when they present themselves.

The U.S. Air Force gives you a golden opportunity to get your education for free or at very little cost. Take advantage of the educational opportunities you are provided to make the most of your Air Force career, and secure a bright future in the years beyond. Don’t miss out.

Yes, life is a lot like golf. Some days you’re Tiger Woods -- all your shots run straight and true, and everyone knows your name. Other days you can’t get the ball 40 feet down the fairway. Life, like golf, takes constant practice, anticipation and concentration. You have to get ready for the next big tournament. Opportunities will present themselves. Be ready.

If you set your goals, stick to them, and keep your standards high, you can stay out of the sand and keep your ball on the fairway. You may get off course from time to time, but your goals and what is important to you will bring you back on course.

Dream big dreams, set high standards and goals, and enjoy the game. Maybe one day you will be playing in your own British Open.