Re-Falling in Love with the Game

A Mindset Shift for a Lifelong Golfer “At the Turn”

Guest Column, by Jason Manshum

I played a lot of golf as a teenager. My family had a membership at a nearby club. I worked there every summer, even before I could drive. I spent most of my days on the course.

Golf is a lifetime sport, and as a teen, you’re on the outward nine with a lot of life and rounds in front of you. You don’t think about warming up before ripping a drive on the opening hole. Mobility isn’t a concern. And if you have a family membership, costs associated with the dedication to your craft is irrelevant – everything is “free.”

Now in my late 40s, those days are long in the rearview. Golf is not free -- it’s an expensive hobby. I’ve also become keenly aware that when I put the tee peg in the ground, properly warming-up my body is imperative if I wish to stay pain and injury free. It also helps combat distance loss. Age can decrease mobility, power, and speed -- resulting in less distance in a game currently infatuated with long-ball lust. Technology in today’s equipment helps, but Father Time always wins. 

As I’ve come to this proverbial crossroads with my obsession, realizing that I am also likely making the turn from the outward nine to the inward nine in life, I’ve decided that the “back nine” of my playing days are going to be my most fun and satisfying! No longer do I need to waste precious rounds trying to beat this game and getting mad when I don’t. 

This has required a priority shift in my mindset. My passion for the game has gone up exponentially these last several years, and it’s been over the moon my entire life. Do I still want to score well and lower my handicap? Absolutely. But these days, I value my experiences on the course more than anything. It’s the walks along the fairways, getting lost in nature. If you are mindful when you play, you’ll realize just how meditative golf can be. It’s literally a walk in the park.

I’ve developed a great appreciation for course layout and routing. Architecture is fascinating. Even more, my most memorable rounds are not the ones with my lowest score, but rather from the courses and the people I play with. My parents, now around 80, don’t play much these days, so when they do, I cherish these rounds more than ever. 

Playing with my son is also a treasure, even as he really wants to beat and outdrive me! I revel in time with my golf buddies. It's our time to reconnect and forget about our worries for a few hours together. I too find excitement being paired with complete strangers. For I will have new friends four hours later. 

With age comes change. Hopefully for the better. Golf is the same. I love this game more than ever. I just now put in time off the course with strength training, mobility drills, proper hydration, and good nutrition to be able to play and enjoy the game for decades to come. 

I find a joy in the game, the courses I play, and the people I play with, in ways I never have before. I don’t grind or get upset during rounds like I used to. I guess this is my evolution as a golfer. For as long as I can remember, golf has been a part of my life. It’s still a big part of who I am. As I make the turn to my “inward nine,” I’m fully enjoying this tapestry that’s weaved my life together.