John Feinstein wrote the book, the quote is mostly attributed to Mark Twain, deep dives may ascribe it to authors F. W. Payn or H. S. Scrivener or even statesman William Gladstone. But it was an unknown “northern Geal” who reportedly first used the phrase “golf is a good walk spoiled” in 1901. Seems fitting considering the origins of the game.
There can be a lot of walking in golf, and for me this quote speaks to the interruptions the game can impose on an otherwise good walk. After all, one of the things I love about golf is the beauty of the course and the conversations with friends.
These interruptions usually come from a badly sliced drive, a bladed chip shot, or the dreaded three (or four or five) putt. Any one, but usually all, of these can spoil my round of golf and leave me feeling frustrated and defeated.
That’s not much different from the frustrations we allow to spoil any given season of life. Life is not without its mishits, duffs and hazards, but this gift from God is supposed to bring us joy. And yet, we so often find ourselves toiling around in the difficulties and frustrations this world has to offer.
I’ve come to realize there is a big difference between the life God has given me and the world in which I am living that life. Much like the game of golf, most of these frustrations come at my own hands. And when frustrations do come, they seem to come in waves, each leading to another disappointment or discouragement until you’re so far behind that it seems impossible to catch up.
The question, however, is … so far behind what? In golf it’s an arbitrary number someone decided it should take to get from the tee box to in the hole on the green. In life it seems similarly arbitrary as the culture defines joy for so many of us.
They say golf is a mental game, that where your mind is during the game will affect how you play. This analogy translates; life is about the spirit, and where your spirit is will ultimately define your joy.
If your spirit is wrapped around the whims of the world, you’ll find yourself in despair, but if your spirit is in line with God, you’ll experience joy despite the circumstances of this world.
I know, I know, “That’s all well and good, but how do we get there?” Just like golf, people have spent countless years and dollars trying to get it right.
I think Paul gave us the perfect instruction in Romans 12:12, a three-part process that’ll help our life avoid spoil. He says, “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” You see, it’s not about what’s going on around you, it’s about the truth of Christ inside you — hope, patience, prayer.
My best days on the golf course are when the score doesn’t matter, when I’m simply enjoying the beauty and the conversation and the experience. My best days in life are when the world’s expectations aren’t pressing in from all directions, and instead I’ve given my spirit over to God so that I may find the peace and joy He desires for me.
The Psalmist writes (in Psalm 16:11), “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Don’t allow the world to spoil the life God has given you.
Ethan Maple is pastor of Mt. Comfort Church. This weekly column is written by local clergy members. Send comments to [email protected]