The perfect swing
I come from a family of golfers. Me? I’ve never played nor have I ever been inclined to do so. I’ve always shared Rosie O’Donnell’s opinion of golf: “Golf is not a sport. Golf is people in ugly pants walking.” (It should be noted that I don’t share the vast majority of Rosie’s opinions, just that one.)
My son took to golfing at an early age. He has what family members and more than one seasoned golf professional have called a perfect, natural swing. I’ll have to take their word for it. I wouldn’t know one if I saw it, although I will say his golf swing is a thing of beauty. He can drive the ball 280-300 yards on a fairly consistent basis. Which is pretty impressive for a 13 year old. Or so I’ve been told.
But natural ability is not enough.
Excellence requires persistence and dedication.
Persistence and dedication comes from a passion to pursue a goal.
My son isn’t interested in playing golf right now, and because of cutbacks in school programs next year, there will be no golf team to try out for. No short term goal to strive for.
I hope my son takes up golf again someday soon, not because I want him to, or his dad or his grand dad or his aunts and uncles want him to.
But because he wants him to.
“Nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
~ Calvin Coolidge
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This post has been part of the One Word at a Time Blog Carnival: Swings, hosted by the lovely and talented Peter Pollock. Please visit his site to read more posts on the topic or link up one of your own at
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Your son can drive 300 yards and you’re not pushing as gently but firmly as possible for him to become the best?
He can get college scholarships and all kinds of stuff from playing golf.
Of course, it IS the second most boring sport in the world….
Peter P´s last [type] ..Swings – Blog Carnival
You mean after soccer?
My brother was a remarkable swimmer at a very early age. My parents pushed him, dragged him to practice before and after school. He spent his weekends traveling the state for swim meets. He ended up hating it because it had lost its joy. I don’t want to do that. I’ll support him and drive him to the golf course and to tournaments. But it has to be his choice, his passion. Not mine.
That is a very good point.
Maybe he just needs a passion injection…. maybe try feeding him passion fruit?
Peter P´s last [type] ..Swings – Blog Carnival
i used to play with my dad while i was growing up.
i know you could show them your really long driving skills…
in the golf cart. hehe.
Golf is definitely not my thing either. I agree with you that persistence often goes hand-in-hand with passion. I suppose that’s why we continue to persistently blog? I’m glad you keep it up.
Blessings,
Lisa
I’m jealous. I’m not athletic. At all. Like seriously, I am the white boy I portray myself as on my site… but I love golf. I’m better at not cussing than hitting the ball, but only part of the time. I hope your son learns the lesson in persistence, even when there isn’t an immediate goal. It’s so valuable.
jake´s last [type] ..Swinger
I’m a hacker. Haven’t picked up a club in a couple of years. But I love trying. Great that your son has that natural talent. Pray that he gains the passion to pursue it.
Frank´s last [type] ..Ashamed
If you push him hard to play, you stand a good chance of him holding that against you for life. If you don’t push him, you stand a good chance him holding that against you for life. Oh, the parental joys that abound as we make these decisions. But yes, let him decide and that’s how he learns to live with our decisions, be they right or wrong.
I think it was Mark Twain who said golf is “a good walk spoiled.” I tend to agree. And Rosie would probably mock his pants, too.
Candy´s last [type] ..Functional Foodie Friday: Massaged Kale Salad
My son loves golf and is pretty good at it too. Has been playing with his dad since he was 4. He begs to go play. Thankfully it’s not something I have to push him in. Now school? Oh goodness how I have to push.
Amy Nabors´s last [type] ..Swings
I’m sure the cutbacks were disappointing for him. It’s hard to follow a sport different from one’s peers at his age.
Helen´s last [type] ..Tug of War
I think that’s a contributing factor, Helen. He mentioned wanting to go out for football this year.
I grew up playing golf, but my dad had a bit of a temper (big understatement) so it made it not fun most of the time. After he died, I stopped all together, but I’ve played a handful of times since then and actually enjoyed it. I might even take it up again if I leave Alaska (or Juneau). There’s a golf course here, but you have to catch it at low tide or some of the fairways are covered (not kidding). Loved your post, Kat. Thanks.
Jason Stasyszen´s last [type] ..Life Happens in the Extremes
This is where a good coach can make all the difference in a child’s life… urging them to have a vision that they don’t yet have. The problem with an early talent, one you haven’t yet learned to hammer out, is that you take it for granted. Much better to be a hard worker, than a person who has talent but no devotion for developing it.
karenzach´s last [type] ..In these tears
Man… I could never get into golf at all. For my husband’s birthday, I once got him a few professional golf lessons. It was funny when he learned how to change his baseball swing into a golf swing. Me? I just get frustrated. The most I’ll do is go to the driving range… I get mad enough at putt-putt!
Lainie Gallagher´s last [type] ..What I Know about Swings
I think you have it exactly right. If he wants to, you won’t have to worry once about nagging. Well, more than once, anyway.
Glynn´s last [type] ..Prime
Love your Swing topic and yes, your photo shows great form with that swing. Never took up golf myself, but we did take our children Pee Wee golfing and that was fun!
Hazel Moon´s last [type] ..Porch Swing
To truly get good at golf or anything really, it takes daily practice with hardly any exceptions. This is what separates the good from the best. To practice daily it has to be absolutely fun though, else you will just start slacking.
Alice D´s last [type] ..How much can You save