It's never too late to change your game... and other lessons I learned while yelling at my GOLF BALL

Our family tradition for LDS Conference weekend usually includes a trip somewhere in our RV. This allows us to listen to the sacred words of our prophet and other church leaders without the distractions of our everyday life. (Oct 2011 LDS General Conference) Thus, the first weekend in October represents the last camping trip of our season. It also represents the last golf game of our season.... And to me, that's okay, because GOLF is a FOUR LETTER WORD!

First of all, the word "novice" is a generous term for my golf game, if you can even call my experience a "game." My husband continues to ensure me that with practice I will get better and then the joy will come. Golf is his game and frankly, he's pretty good at it.  But, me? Not so much. I simply don't enjoy games that I can't win. I mean, really, what is the point in playing a game YOU CAN NEVER WIN? 

Yet, late Saturday morning we teed off and, surprising even to myself, my game didn't start out too bad. In fact, I had an amazingly beautiful 135 yard drive on the first hole. (Compared to my husbands 300 yard drive it was nothing, but for me, completely impressive.) Unfortunately, it was all down hill from there. Within an hour I was teed off!  

I wish I could give you pointers to help your game, but honestly, I've got NOTHIN'! My score will remain confidential, as will any rumors of a club throwing tantrum that may arise. I will however, tell you what I took away from my day: 

1. You've gotta love your shoes! Seriously. It doesn't matter what the activity is, if you love your shoes, you're already one step ahead of the game! 

The best part of my game.

2. Don't over analyze. - Around the 6th hole I was ready to throw in the towel. Before each swing I'd analyze my stance, my swing, my connect (or lack thereof) and yet, things were so bad I actually quit keeping score. I couldn't seem to figure out what was going wrong and so, I quit. Not the game, but the analyzing. And, miraculously, it worked. The more I relaxed the better my game got. For a control freak, this is a huge lesson learned. Don't over analyze. Sometimes it's okay NOT to have a spreadsheet. Sometimes it's okay to just feel the wind in your hair and connect. 

3. It's never too late to change your game. -  After that 6th hole epiphany, my game changed. It still wasn't perfect, but my attitude about it was much better. We all have bad moments, bad games, and even bad days, but it's never too late to change. Sometimes we can't control our circumstances, but we can always control our attitude. 

Because I love my husband, and my husband loves golf, I will continue to try to love the game. At very least, I will tolerate it, because at some point he's going to retire and if I have any hopes of spending time with him, I'm pretty sure it's going to have take place on the golf course. Perhaps I will learn his patience. By some miracle, perhaps I'll even learn how to swing that stinkin' club. But, if all else fails, I'll slip on my cute golf-shoes and just enjoy the scenery.