The MulliganSample

GOLF: the Game Of Life First

Golf and life have a lot in common. Both demand that we make numerous decisions, plan for a variety of hazards, manage our expectations, keep a balanced perspective, deal with disappointment, and proceed with confidence and hope. In fact, what we do on the course often reflects how we live our lives—the kind of person we are, the decisions we make, the priorities we have, how we respond to challenges, and how we handle success and failure. Over an eighteen-hole round, our personality, gifts, and temperament all rise to the surface. The course forces us to look in the mirror. It can serve as a very revealing picture of what’s going on inside.

A lot of people don’t make that connection. They think what happens on the course is simply a reflection of their game, so they prioritize getting better. They don’t recognize how their play is exposing their insecurities, fears, disappointments, and emotional needs. That may seem like a lot to read into a golf game, but it’s true. There’s no shortage of people like Paul McAllister, who think they are simply frustrated with a sport and compensate by beating themselves up and resolving to do better. The game provides a barometer of their lives, and they misread it.

There’s a simple way to avoid this problem: prioritize life over golf. In fact, Jesus teaches us to prioritize life over everything—or, more specifically, to prioritize God’s will for our lives over all other agendas and interests. When we put the game of life first, everything else begins to fall into place. God begins to heal those insecurities, fears, and disappointments. We begin to see from a different perspective. And both life and golf become much more enjoyable and fulfilling.

1. Think of a time when you experienced a strong emotional reaction to something that happened on the golf course and compare it to your feelings about life in general, or a specific life situation, at the time. Notice any parallels? If so, what did your game reveal about your heart?
2. What do you enjoy most about golf? What are your true priorities when you hit the course? What is it about the game that draws you to it? Now ask the same question about life. What do you find meaningful and enjoy most about it? Do your focus and priorities line up with these values?
3. In what ways have you already prioritized the game of life in your relationships, decisions, and lifestyle? In what ways do you think you might have gotten those priorities out of order? To the best of your ability, write out what you think your life would look like with all your priorities in place.