The old master was already there when the golfer reached the course at daybreak. He had sought the master’s help because more than a pleasurable activity, golf had become a torment for him.
Master: First, the basics. In many ways golf is life itself. Think of the ball as your soul which craves salvation, represented by the hole in the green. The 14 clubs in the golf-set symbolise five elements — earth, fire, water, air and space — of which the human body is composed, five senses, instinct, ego or the lower mind, intellect or the higher mind and the consciousness...
You play well when they work in tandem. In other words, you should strive to achieve harmony within and without. See the rising sun, smell the fresh air and feel its moist kiss on your cheek and feel the cushion of the soft grass under your feet. Then, close your eyes and feel yourself as a part of all this.
When the golfer opened his eyes, the master resumed.
Master: There are many approaches to the goal. Take that which suits your strength and weakness as denoted by your handicap. Be ever conscious of your handicap and you’ll be humble. Shall we start?
The golfer came to the tee. Placing the ball on the peg he took aim, fixing the spot where he must send the ball.
Master: Also picture your ball going there and then hit.
The golfer did that and swung the club. The ball lifted nicely but went right into the rough. The golfer looked at the master.
Master: The slice was caused by the arc of your swing which was from right to left. It was as if you were trying to avoid the right rough. Were you?
Golfer: Yes, but why does the ball go into the area which I wish to avoid?
Master: It’s because of negative thinking. When you tell your mind, ‘Don’t do this’, you have to picture ‘this’. The mind registers the picture of ‘this’ more easily than the command of ‘don’t’. The slightest distraction or tension would make the mind forget the ‘don’t’ part and it would do what it had been told not to.
Golfer: How does one avoid the hazards, then?
Master: By focusing on the positive! Picture only what you wish to happen and take the shot. Practise that, and it’ll become a habit.
They walked up to ball. It lay buried in the leaves. The golfer thought of recovering by hitting the ball hard, through the narrow gap between two trees. But as he took the practice swing...
Master: What are you attempting?
Golfer: A full shot through the trees!
Master: How often can you pull it off?
Golfer: About four times in 10.
Master: Then, don’t try. Bad patches are to test your patience. It’s the time to play safe than to take risk. Just roll the ball into the fairway with a low quarter shot.
The golfer relaxed. He followed the master’s advice. Two shots later, the ball was 12 feet from the pin and glistened like a gem on the green.
Master: The ball is destined to go into the cup. Picture it going there and putt gently.
The golfer went into a trance. He came to only when he heard the sweet sound of the ball dropping into the cup. Filled with a sense of calm, He looked at the master.
Master: (Smiling) Despite a bad tee-off you’ve made a bogey, which is par for your handicap. Play for joy and your card will look better than your handicap.