I love golf... Not because I am any good, because I am not... in fact, I am horrible. But I love the sport because it is so difficult and challenging and like life, so hard to master. I am not going to compare it to other sports but just accept it for what it is. There is something about just being "on" a golf course that really captures my imagination. The quiet stillness and natural beauty have a lot to do with it. The unfortunate part of the whole deal is having to hit a rather insignificant ball with a metal stick without losing one's proverbial "religion." Ironic for sure, for those hard core enthusiasts that consider golf their religion. The hitting part usually bites for me, but, I whack away anyway and follow that little guy all over the place.
As I watched these very experienced golfers I started to notice their interaction with their caddies. It kind of hit me funny.... watching the world's best constantly counseling with their caddies on every single drive, iron and putt.... Why I wondered? These guys know what they are doing. They make millions of dollars and have extreme technical and physical excellence. What is it about these caddies that make them so invaluable?
They are not employees of the club or any association, rather they are classified as "independent contractors." Their whole existence is to:
- Carries a player's bag and clubs
- Know overall yardage, pin placements and club selection
- Gives insightful advice and moral support.
- A good caddy is aware of the challenges and obstacles of the course being played, along with the best strategy in playing it.
Aware of the challenges and obstacles of the course
A typical caddie goes out prior to the tournament to walk the course, check yardages, identify ideal targets/landing spots, identify any "danger" areas to avoid, check the slope and breaks of the green, check weather patterns, prevailing wind direction, etc. They collect this information to help make informed decisions to the player during the tournament, or to help a player strategically prepare for a round prior to teeing off.....
My brain started doing that connection thing.... I began to understand in a more profound way how this caddie idea could apply to my life. Imagine.... a life's caddie. Immediately an image formed in my mind... quickly as if he had always been there, just out of sight, possibly waiting for me to make this connection, there he was..... My Dad
What a powerful impact that had on my heart! As I started to reflect more, I realized that my dad has totally been my life's caddie. He has walked most of life's courses, checked the yardages, identified ideal landing spots, identified the danger areas to avoid and checked the slope and breaks of life's greens. He has walked many a course building experience to then share with me, the uniformed "life's rookie golfer" at each tee.... How grateful I am for his wisdom over the years. His loving and supportive counsel and moral support and encouragement.
Every time I have stood on a "new" course wondering just where the fairway bends, where the sand traps lie, where the right places to "aim" might be he has been there.... quietly, consistently and ever supportive. He never goes away. He is always there within reach. How much better it is to drive the ball with more faith and confidence with just a bit of experienced wisdom from someone who has been there--done that. Someone that is totally trustworthy, someone that would never lead me astray, someone that wants me to win even maybe more than I do. He has helped me avoid danger zones so many times. Learning to have faith in his counsel has been a lifelong journey.... How comforting is is to know that we don't have to golf this life alone--guessing at each new hole. His willingness to walk before me and then help me through my ignorant struggle is the stuff life is all about. He can't drive the ball for me....No, I have to do that and he knows that... Somehow he musters the quiet enduring patience to guide me nonetheless......
What is so beautiful to me, is knowing that he doesn't even have to be physically present anymore, rather, If I focus and listen carefully, I can hear him say as if he were:
"You may want to think about aiming for that tree, because landing there sets you up for a great next shot to the green and avoids the sand trap."
And the ironic sense of legacy is not lost on me as I now think of passing that down to my own children. How good of a caddie have I been? Do I sense the right things to say at the right times, lifting at times, building, nudging and trusting? Or am I overdoing it, am I saying too much, my expectations too high? So many questions to reflect on... What helps me the most, is to think about what Dad would say, and then do likewise.... yes.... that is when it is best.
Postlude: Surely, God, our Father knew we would need guidance during our lives here on earth. He didn't leave us without a caddie either. He freely gave us his Son and the gift of the Holy Ghost to lead and guide each one of us on our individualized paths.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.. John 14:26
I thank both Fathers, in Heaven and on earth, both carrying my bag, helping me along my way... my gratitude is deep, and am indebted to them...
...... I never want to golf alone again.
