HOW LESSONS FROM THE GOLF COURSE APPLY TO LIFE

Ah, golf - It’s the ultimate test of patience, precision, and perseverance. The only sport where your biggest opponent isn’t the guy you’re playing against, but that little voice in your head whispering, “Why did you even bother coming out today?” And yet, here we are, standing on the tee box, staring down the fairway, a mix of hope, dread, and determination swirling in your head.

Just like life, golf gives you great moments of triumph, humbling defeats, and plenty of time to wonder why you didn’t take up something simpler, like chess or particle physics. But for men over 50, golf can be more than a pastime - it’s a metaphor for navigating everything from career changes to family dynamics. So, let’s dive into the six truths of golf and tee up success in everyday life.

1. Stay in the Present: The Next Shot is the Most Important

Golf lesson number one: it doesn’t matter if your last shot was straight down the middle or took a detour to visit the neighbouring fairway. The only shot that matters is the next one.

This mindset is your golden ticket for navigating life after 50. Sure, maybe you didn’t land that promotion, or your last family dinner ended with your teenager retreating to their room, grumbling about how you don’t “get” TikTok. But fixating on the past - whether it’s a poor shot or a poor decision - is about as helpful as a broken golf cart. Focus on the next opportunity instead. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus put it simply: “The most important shot in golf is always the next one.” It’s the same in life, the past is done, but the future is unwritten.

Let’s say you’ve been butting heads with your boss or struggling to connect with your kids. Rather than beating yourself up about past conversations that went south, think about how you can approach the next one with fresh perspective. Maybe less yelling, more listening? Think of it as lining up your next shot.

Research from Harvard Health suggests that mindfulness - the ability to focus on the present - can significantly reduce stress and improve mental health. In mid-lifer words, staying in the present isn’t just a good golf tip, it’s a midlife survival strategy.

2. Be Patient: The Next Round Might Be Your Best

Ah, patience - the word every golfer both hates and respects. Golf can feel like a slow descent into madness. One minute, you’re ready to snap your driver in half; the next, you’re sinking a 20-foot putt and imagining your name on the clubhouse leaderboard. Life after 50 is pretty similar - you never know when things will finally start falling into place.

Maybe your career feels a little stagnant, like you’re playing the same hole over and over (and let’s be honest, no one enjoys that hole). But just like in golf, you never know when you’re going to hit your stride. Ray Kroc didn’t start building the McDonald’s empire until he was in his 50s, and suddenly, those fries went from snack to a global phenomenon. Your best round might still be ahead, whether that’s in your career, your health, or your relationships.

According to Psychology Today, peak creativity and productivity often come later in life, it’s a convergence point where experience meets patience. Much like a late surge on the back nine, midlife can surprise you if you’re patient and keep playing the game.

3. Don’t Compare: You’re On Your Own Journey

In golf, looking over at your buddy’s scorecard can be a fast track to frustration. Sure, he might have just nailed a birdie, but comparing yourself to him is about as helpful as trying to putt through quicksand. Life after 50 is no different. Social media and family reunions make it easy to compare yourself to others - your friends’ career paths, their bigger houses, their family vacations. But comparing only robs you of joy.

You might feel envious when a colleague retires early, or when a friend seems to have the perfect family life. But every person has their own unique challenges, just like every golfer faces different hazards on the course. Instead of comparing, focus on your own journey - are you a better version of yourself today than you were five years ago? If so, you are winning.

Studies on social comparison theory show that constantly measuring ourselves against others can lead to dissatisfaction and anxiety, especially in midlife. Instead, focus on your own growth, whether it’s improving your golf swing or building better relationships. The beauty of both golf and life is that progress, not perfection, is the goal.

4. Control What You Can, Let Go of What You Can’t

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of nailing the perfect drive down the fairway, only to watch it take a wild bounce into the rough. In both golf and life, there are things you simply can’t control. But instead of throwing your clubs in frustration (we’ve all been there), focus on controlling what you can and let the rest go.

At work, you can’t control everything - layoffs happen, mergers happen, and sometimes the boss’s mood happens. What you can control is your response. Are you prepared for that next project? Are you keeping up with the latest trends in your industry? Similarly, in family life, you can’t control how your teenagers react to your brilliant life advice (sarcasm intended), but you can control how much effort you put into improving communication or spending quality time together.

Research from the Mayo Clinic shows that stress can be reduced by focusing only on what we can control . In other words, let go of the bad bounce (whether it’s your career or that awkward family dinner), and you’ll find the next shot is a lot easier to line up.

5. Take Your Medicine: Don’t Compound Errors

Golfers love a good comeback story. But let’s be honest - most of the time, trying to pull off that miracle shot just ends up compounding the problem. When you find yourself deep in the trees, the smart move is to hit it back into play and avoid turning one bad shot into a double bogey nightmare. Life lesson? Don’t make things worse by trying to fix everything at once.

Maybe you’ve made a financial decision that’s come back to bite you. Or maybe you’ve had a falling out with a family member. The worst thing you can do is try to force a solution in a panic. Take a step back, assess the situation, and make the smart, safe play - even if that means admitting your initial approach wasn’t the right one. It’s better to recover slowly than to dig yourself deeper into the rough.

Behavioural economics research reveals that trying to “double down” on a mistake often leads to worse outcomes . Whether in life or golf, sometimes it’s better to take your medicine, accept the mistake, and focus on getting back in the fairway rather than compounding the error with a hasty decision.

6. Consistency Over Perfection: Practice Makes Progress

In golf, it’s not about executing that once-in-a-lifetime perfect swing. Ask any seasoned golfer, and they’ll tell you consistency is what keeps your score down. A solid, reliable swing, even if it’s not flawless, will take you a lot further than nailing that “perfect” shot every hundred strokes.

In business and personal growth, the same rule applies. Think about how focusing on small, incremental improvements each day can lead to meaningful progress over time. Let’s say you’re working on a major project at work or training for a half-marathon (perhaps ambitious, but hey, midlife brings surprises). Steady, consistent effort wins out over sporadic bursts of brilliance. For more on embracing continuous learning and navigating the workplace over 50 what not check out our article - Old Dogs New Tricks

Research shows that gradual, continuous improvement - think Kaizen or incremental growth - is more sustainable and often more successful than aiming for perfection right out of the gate. Like a smooth swing, small changes build big results.

7. Adaptability is Key: Reading the Lie of Life’s Challenges

In golf, no two shots are the same. You’re constantly adjusting to a new lie, new terrain, and - if you’re playing in the northern hemisphere - at least three different weather patterns per round. Adaptability is the name of the game, and the golfer who can read the terrain and adjust their strategy has a serious edge.

Life, especially post-50, is a lot like a golf course - plenty of unpredictable twists and turns. Your career might need a pivot, or maybe your relationship requires a fresh approach. Embracing adaptability in the face of change isn’t just useful; it’s essential. Don’t dig your heels in when life shifts. Instead, assess the new “lie” and adjust accordingly.

Studies suggest that people with adaptive skills tend to handle stress and life changes more effectively. In both golf and life, being flexible means turning those bunkers into birdies.

8. Community Matters: The Power of a Good Caddie

Every golfer knows the value of a good caddie. Not only do they lug your clubs around, but their insights, knowledge of the course, and steady encouragement can make all the difference between a good game and a great one.

Life’s “caddies” come in many forms - trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors who can provide invaluable guidance. Whether you’re tackling a new job, navigating a tricky family situation, or setting up that dream retirement plan, having the right people in your corner can make the journey a whole lot easier.

Studies indicate that a strong support network increases resilience and career satisfaction. Just as a caddie knows when to hand you a driver or a 7-iron, the right mentor knows when to offer advice - and when to let you take the lead.

9. Embracing Failure: The Mulligan Mindset

Every golfer loves a good mulligan - when you’re allowed to wipe the slate clean after a truly dreadful shot. It’s an acknowledgment that, yes, mistakes happen, but they don’t have to ruin your whole game. The mulligan is more than just a friendly feature of golf; it’s a life philosophy.

When a project doesn’t go as planned, or you make a misstep in a relationship, don’t see it as the end of the world. Think of it as a mulligan - an opportunity to learn, adjust, and try again without getting stuck in “what could have been.”

Embracing failure, rather than avoiding it, can lead to greater innovation. Research shows that people who view failures as opportunities for growth are more likely to take risks and pursue creative solutions. So, next time you shank a life “shot,” give yourself a mulligan - and move forward.

10. Remember, It’s Supposed to Be Fun

If there’s one thing we forget all too often, it’s that golf - and life - are supposed to be fun. Sure, a round of golf can feel like an endurance test, and life after 50 might seem like a never-ending list of things to worry about. But if you’re not having fun, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate? Frustrations are part of the game - but so are the triumphs, the laughs, and the moments when it all just clicks.

If your career or family life has become more stressful than enjoyable, ask yourself why? Are you spending more time worrying about outcomes than enjoying the journey? Just like a bad round of golf, a stressful life can make you question why you’re even playing. Find ways to bring joy back into your daily routine - whether that’s connecting with loved ones, indulging in hobbies, or even taking some well-earned time off.

According to a study from the Mayo Clinic, incorporating fun and play into your routine can boost mental health, lower stress, and increase overall satisfaction . Whether you’re hitting the links or managing life’s ups and downs, a little laughter goes a long way.

Call to Action: Ready to Master Your Life’s Back Nine?

These truths from the golf course are more than just sports wisdom; they’re strategies for navigating the ups and downs of life’s back nine. Reminding us to focus on what’s important, and finding fun along the way. So, whether you’re tackling a tricky course or one of life’s many curveballs, remember these tips and you’ll spend more time on the fairway.

Enjoyed this article, take a look at ‘How Sports Psychology is Helping Men Over 50 Succeed in the Game of Life’