Golf is a Sport to Be Played Not Watched

Sometimes we all need a reminder of what this game is truly about. This is especially true when you're someone who consumes extensive golf news on a daily basis and who closely follows all of the shenanigans that have been happening in the men's professional scene.

It's easy to be worn down by seeing all the countless millions that are being thrown at the world's best golfers, which has done little to dampen the nauseating entitlement displayed by many of them, not to mention the source of much of this cash and the corporate maneuvering and geopolitical ramifications of it all.

You might also express cynicism when you see the latest, supposedly groundbreaking innovations released annually by manufacturers, or indeed question the motives and honesty of those apparent "influencers" who promote and describe these products.

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As someone who works in the industry, when you're enveloped by the noise, it's hard to not roll your eyes and be turned off by all of this stuff and forget about how engaging and meaningful golf can actually be.

But, a recent experience completely rekindled that notion within me and served as a welcome reminder of the sense of magic that our sport can create.

Considering that I live in St Andrews and have access to the wonderful courses operated by the Links Trust, you may feel outraged that I hadn't played for about six months, but I'm busy with Golfshake, the winters are dark in Scotland, and most of my weekends are spent following my beloved St Johnstone Football Club around. I also have ongoing struggles with arthritis that can sometimes make the game painful to play, both physically and mentally, with the loss of flexibility in several of my fingers meaning that possessing anything close to a conventional grip is sadly a distant memory.

But the dawn of springtime had arrived and it was the opportunity to dust off the clubs and give it all a go again. Golfshake Ambassador Matt Holbrook was making a fleeting visit all the way north from Suffolk alongside his friend Josh, hoping to secure a tee time on the legendary Old Course.

We were fortunate to successfully make it through the ballot drawn two days before we hoped to play, finding ourselves with an afternoon tee time in late March.

The weather was remarkably good, with clear blue skies and bright sunshine illuminating the famous links and creating an environment that you simply cannot fail to be inspired by. 

(Image Credit: Matt Holbrook)

Our three-ball was joined by a local university student who had been waiting patiently as a single hoping to find a group to pair up with. Josh, experiencing the Auld Grey Toun for the first time, had hired a caddie for the occasion, meaning that five of us were together on the most venerated first tee in golf.

I've long confidently stated - with sufficient reason - that no one in history has played this seemingly innocuous hole (you know, with the enormous fairway) as consistently badly as I have. 

Naturally, that proclamation once again rang true, but my playing partners kindly showed solidarity with me as (in a first that I've seen) all four of us somehow managed to hit our balls into the Swilcan Burn.

Thankfully, things mostly improved from there. My golf was pretty terrible and patchy at best, but there were the occasional glimpses of skill that raised the spirits. Since my struggles with arthritis (which I first showed signs of in my early 20s) have only heightened the inconsistencies that already existed in my game, I've long accepted that golf for me now is about moments, the occasional good hole and successfully executed shots.

Matt and Josh both played some good stuff as we made our way around this most iconic of layouts, as did our student partner who had a unique but effective takeaway in his swing.

But what made this day special was the environment and the people that it was shared with. I love the Old Course and especially enjoy walking it with others, and on a day that was so stunningly beautiful as this one, there is nowhere that I would rather be as you tread on the footsteps of history and legends and gaze towards the spectacular skyline of the revered town.

As we played into the early evening, before the clocks had sprung forward, it was edging into twilight, meaning that the low sun revealed every undulation and crevice of this magnificent piece of land. There is no more stimulating time of the day to play here than this.

For these four - and a bit - hours, the only thing that mattered was our shared experience between the five of us. I'm a strong believer that it's essential to have knowledge and awareness of what is happening in the world, but the troubling images and stories that you see on the news were temporarily forgotten about during our round.

While it can be frustrating and maddening at times, golf is a window to serenity, transporting you to another, simpler, uplifting place, and that was never more true than on this day when I stepped off the links possessing a renewed sense of passion for the game and appreciation for what it can offer.

Yes, not every round can be the Old Course at St Andrews, but the principles are exactly the same, wherever you play.

While I still derive enjoyment from watching the best compete for the biggest prizes - especially the major championships - golf is a sport that is best played and not watched.

Therefore, instead of spending too much energy on the travails of Rory, Scottie and Bryson, I'm refocusing my mind on what the game is really about - the escapism offered by the golf course and the company of those who share it with you.

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