A world where you don’t blame yourself for “that mistake” — a way of life where you focus on the “next shot” rather than the past

Why are people tied to their past mistakes?

“Why did I say that at that time?” “If only I hadn’t made that choice” – people often get caught up in past “mistakes”. Time moves forward, but our hearts are left behind in the past. This is a phenomenon that occurs everywhere, in everyday life, business, and in education. However, the sport of golf is a continuous training to overcome this with each stroke, and it is also a philosophy to return to the “present”.

Only the "next hit" can change reality

In golf, there is no replay or rewind. There is only the “next shot.” No matter how bad your previous shot was, the hole is rewritten by how you hit your next shot. If you dwell on your mistake, your score will not improve. If you get angry or regretful, the ball will not come back. Rather, “worrying” will invite further mistakes. What is required of golfers is not to switch emotions, but to retune their vibrations. “If the vibration is disturbed, the swing will be disturbed” – this is half common knowledge among professionals. That is why top golfers smile even when they fail a shot. It is not acting, but retuning their consciousness, a self-message to tell themselves “it’s okay.” It is important to “relax” rather than “reflect.”

A golf mindset overcomes bullying and self-denial

This mindset can actually be a great hint for many people who suffer from bullying, setbacks, and regrets. Living with the memory of “that mistake” closes off the future. However, living with an awareness of the “next shot” always opens up possibilities. What words will you use today? What attitude will you adopt now? That “present shot” can rewrite your relationships, the development of your work, and even the meaning of life.

Golf fosters tolerance and a spirit of here and now

Golf does not have a culture of blaming others for their scores. This is because it is based on the premise that everyone makes mistakes. There is wind, there is slope, and the state of mind is different from day to day. The conditions are always unstable. Expecting to be perfect in such circumstances is unrealistic, and even arrogant. This is why the spirit of golf is tolerance. To be in the here and now. To focus fully on the next shot. To accept each shot as a lesson and let it go. Repeating this process strengthens the mind as you play through the 18 holes, and at the same time develops you into a person who can be tolerant of the mistakes of others.

Sports that organize the present in a society that records the past

In today’s world, where education, the workplace, and social media are all about recording, spreading, and criticizing past mistakes, golf’s “culture of not blaming the past and focusing on the present” offers practical wisdom for overcoming bullying and excessive self-denial. The scorecard only records what happened. It doesn’t say “why it happened,” or “how it felt.” All that remains is the result. And how you deal with that result is what truly matters.

Have the courage to regain your grip

Life is the same. Other people don’t know how you’ve lived your life. But you know better than anyone how much you focused on your next shot. So instead of blaming yourself, adjust your vibration. And then just grab the grip again. That’s what golf teaches us.