Why I Love Golf.

As I am sitting here watching the first round of The Masters, it feels like the beginning of golf season finally. The Masters always gets me excited about the season and it reminds me why I love the game of golf so much. Golf is so much more than a game. Golf teaches us life lessons. Gold exposes our character flaws. Golf shows us who we really are. Golf bonds us with others in a unique way. Golf can be part of our entire life.

The thing that makes The Masters the most popular and revered tournament is its formality and respect for tradition. Golf is supposed to be a gentleman’s game. It is to be respected. I love the rules and the honor that it requires. It’s not like other sports. It demands more of us.

I learned to play golf from my father. I was never taken to a golf course until I understood the rules of etiquette that are required to show the proper respect for the game and your playing partners. In an age where we don’t expect much from others, the golf course should still be a place that we expect respectful behavior and proper manners.

There are a lot of new people playing golf now. Tiger Woods has brought a whole new generation of people to the golf course. Golf has become cool. Some of the formality seems to be missing these days. Music being played on the course. Folks overindulging in adult beverages. Players yelling and screaming on the course. People dressing like they are going to the gym instead of the golf course.

Personally, I love the quiet on the golf course. I don’t want to hear any music. I want to enjoy being outside in a beautiful place. I want to be completely focused on the task at hand. I want my phone to stay in my golf bag. I want to be all in. I want to show my playing partners the respect they deserve.

Ultimately, golf is about family. I loved playing golf with my Dad and my uncles. We spent so many wonderful days together all loving the game and the time together. It was a common love that bonded us. Today, there is nothing better than playing with my son.

I have developed so many deep and meaningful friendships because of golf. Men that I love and respect and the game has brought us together and continues the build our friendships. On the course, you learn what kind of person someone is by the way the handle bad bounces, lipped out putts, bad shots, and other’s success.

I still love the process. I enjoy the game more than ever because I am the most grateful for the game than ever in my life. I still love to have a venue where I can compete. But mostly, I am competing against myself. Golf has made me a better person and I will always maintain my respect and love for the game. Therefore, I will always treat the game with the dignity and honor it deserves.

A good round or a bad round, they both teach me a little bit about myself.