Golf
Consciousness Plays Golf: A Self-Aware Golf Theory Beyond Descartes
"Is it really me who is swinging?" "I think, therefore I am" - in the 17th century, Descartes launched modern philosophy with these words. However, on the golf course of the 21st century, a paradoxical question quietly emerges. "Am I really controlling this shot that I think I am hitting?" A great shot is born from the "unconscious", and a mistake occurs when "consciousness" is too involved. If that's the case, then who is the master of the swing? People have the "sense of moving their body", but in reality, many movements are controlled by the autonomic nervous system and latent motor memory that are beyond the reach of consciousness. In other words, in the act of golf, "consciousness =…
I was able to let go of the habit of blaming myself – resetting my mindset after each hole
Why are people so bad at forgiving themselves? When we fail or make a mistake, we blame ourselves before anyone else. I should have done this at that time, why couldn't I stay calmer, I have to do it better next time - this inner voice tightens our hearts. The more serious and sensitive a person is, the faster and deeper this introspection turns into self-attack. However, for those who have repeatedly suffered heartache in this way, the "quiet habit of thinking" that is the sport of golf can be a major turning point. This is because golf has a system of "resetting after each hole." Golf teaches us that even if we stumble, there's always another chance Even if…
Silence teaches me why golf heals a broken heart
I needed a quiet place In an age where there are too many voices at school, on social media, and even at home, there are very few places that offer silence. You are blamed for not having the courage to speak up, you are told that you stand out if you don't read the mood, and you are exposed if you fail. In such a world, people with sensitive hearts lose their place even though they just want to be quiet. At such times, the silence of a golf course is not just an ambient sound, but exists as a "gentle silence" that gently touches the wounds of your emotions. No one shouts. No one rushes. The moment you grip…
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…
A new realm reached by golfers with high vibrations, not just those with high consciousness.
The era of pretending to be "highly conscious" while reading self-help books with a Starbucks in hand is coming to an end. The next era is a way of life in which consciousness is immersed deeply in "one's inner self" -- in other words, the era of "high vibration." This is not just a catchy phrase. It is a sign of a new consciousness evolution that is quietly spreading among golfers. Golf is a "wave sport" On the surface, golf is an individual sport where players compete for the highest score, but its essence is much deeper and more delicate. Each shot is strongly influenced by invisible "states" such as emotions, breathing, posture, and thoughts, all of which are projected…
The History of “High and Golf”: The Intersection of Cigars, Alcohol, and Marijuana
Those who breathe in society, silence, and freedom Golf: a stage for excitement Walking, hitting, silence, and laughing over the long course of 18 holes. Golf is a sport, but also a place for socializing and reflection. Perhaps that is why this gentleman's game has long been deeply connected to "indulging in something." Playing while smoking a cigar. Brandy in the clubhouse. And now, joints and CBD are spreading in states where it is legal. Golf has always been associated with "quiet exhilaration." Smoke and swing: the honeymoon of cigars and golf In the early 20th century, cigars were part of the golf scene at American country clubs. Arnold Palmer was also photographed smiling with a cigar between his fingers…
A lighter and a joint in a cart: A round in legal states
A new affinity between golf and the green Another routine before teeing off 10:00 a.m., Palm Springs, California. Under a clear blue sky, a pair of golfers finish the front nine and take a break in the shade of a golf cart. They don't pick up a plastic bottle or a club - they pick up a lighter and a freshly rolled joint. "This is the best way to concentrate on the back nine," he says after taking a quick puff, laughing quietly and picking up his driver. Scenes like this are becoming a common reality, especially on the West Coast of the United States. Coexistence of joints and fairways expanding in legal states As of 2024, recreational marijuana has…
“A Prayer Before Teeing Off” — Cannabis and Mental Health
A green for golf, silence and inner dialogue Golf is a silent sport A single shot of golf is filled with moments that cannot be put into words. The green spreads out before you, the silent fairway, the birds singing in the distance. Your hands gripping the club get sweaty, and your heart beats a little faster. And the moment you step onto the tee, all sounds sink inward. How much can you calm your mind in that moment? Golf is a game that requires mental stability more than technique. The "spiritual lifeline" that professional golfers secretly rely on Long-term tours, pressure, criticism from social media, anxiety about contract renewals -- modern professional golfers fight invisible stress every day. It…
CBD vs. Coffee Before Your Round: Which Gets You in the Zone?
Quietness or sharpness? Just one drink before teeing off can change your fate. "That one drink" will affect your score Mornings at golf are quiet. The green still has morning dew on it. A quick greeting in the clubhouse. As part of that routine, many players have coffee. A ritual to wake up, get your heart pumping, and get pumped. It's become the "holy grail" of golfers' mornings. But now that holy grail is being quietly repainted. A few drops of clear liquid -- **CBD (cannabidiol)** -- are suddenly emerging as a rival to morning drip coffee. The concentrated power of coffee's "attack" Coffee provides excellent concentration for instantaneous power. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, temporarily improving reaction speed…
“Does a puff during a round affect your score?” The surprising relationship between marijuana and concentration
According to an anonymous survey conducted by GOLF.com in 2019, roughly 20% of PGA Tour players said they had used marijuana or THC-containing products in the past year. It's not just a "high." It's "quiet concentration" that changes your game. Golf is a sport that requires mental calmness and consistency rather than physical strength. Tee shot preparation, bunker escape, pressure putt - what is needed is "the ability to reduce thoughts and immerse yourself in the present moment." Now, among some golfers on the West Coast of the United States and in Canada, the state of concentration induced by THC (the main component of marijuana) is being quietly discussed as a "new mind tool." Science backs the "zone-inducing powers" of…
Learning compassion through playing with others: How to become a golfer who doesn’t upset others
Golf etiquette is not simply about rules and etiquette. It is a system of advanced "spiritual consideration" that involves respecting the concentration of others, not disturbing their emotional waves, and "listening" to each other's inner thoughts. The "compassion" that Buddhism preaches is not simply "kindness," but an attitude of "noticing" the suffering and anxiety of others and trying to alleviate them. And the sport of golf is truly a "dojo" for practicing this compassion. Golf is a "silent battle with others" In playing with others, you and the other person are always close to each other. What is required in such a situation is not "winning or losing," but "consideration." Every move you make, such as not making noise when…
A place where you can attain enlightenment without becoming a monk: the golf course, a modern-day dojo
In the past, those who sought enlightenment retreated to the mountains. Monks would cut their hair, leave their homes, and cut ties with the secular world. However, in the 21st century, people are trying to get closer to enlightenment on the grass, without taking off their suits and with their smartphones in hand. On the golf course. It is a modern-day "silent dojo" where people can come face to face with "their own minds," "nature," and "this moment" through the training known as a round of golf. The space and serenity of a Zen temple Time flows differently on a golf course than in other sports. There are no cheers or commentary. Unnecessary conversation is avoided, and silence is the…
Golf is like moving Zen meditation — every shot is training for the here and now
Before hitting the ball, take a deep breath and focus your gaze on one point. Relax your hands, calmly prepare, and let go of any distracting thoughts. Then, swing the club silently. When you watch this sequence of movements, you can see a spirituality that is reminiscent of the "kata" of martial arts and the "zazen" of Buddhism. Golf is not just a game. It is a "moving zazen" where you live in the "here and now" through each and every shot. Zazen teaches us "concentration without attachment to results" In Buddhism, Zen is not a means to gain something. Rather, the state of not trying to gain anything is considered to have value in itself. "Just sit" and "Just…
Are golf courses modern-day Zen temples? – As spaces of silence and concentration
A fairway surrounded by forest, a tee ground where only the chirps of birds and the sound of the wind can be heard. Human voices are small, and movements are quiet. When standing on a golf course, there is a moment when you suddenly think, "Isn't this a modern Zen temple?" Of course, there are no bells, main halls, or monks. There is only grass, wind, and silence. However, golf and Zen overlap beautifully in the respect of "concentrating on the here and now." Breathing and hitting the ball: the art of being immersed in the moment In Zen, "shikantaza," or simply sitting, is itself considered training. Straighten your posture, focus on your breathing, let go of thoughts, and simply…