FEAR OR FUN?
“HA-HA-HA”!!! “Boy,”-“You weren’t kidding about your game!” He said in a good-hearted manner in which us guys rib each other. “I told you”! Was my reply. I hadn’t swung a golf club in three or four years and although I’m somewhat athletic, I never had a natural gift when it came to playing golf.
I thought about one of the times playing golf when I was much younger with my dad. I didn’t really have a huge desire to play golf, we were just spending time together and he loved to golf.
One of those times we were paired up with two other people we didn’t know. One of the guys made a comment about the fact that I shouldn’t be on the course, but rather at the practice range and maybe taking a lesson.
I was at an age that, even though the words were given in honesty they weren’t appreciated. I knew how bad I was, but I didn’t say or do anything to the guy out of respect for my dad.
My dad spoke up and said something to the effect, “My son doesn’t care much for golf, he’s here keeping me company”!- “And I sure do enjoy it”! That quieted down Mr. Golf Advice Giver for the rest of our round.
In truth, while irritated at the time, I realized I was having an effect on the other guys games, even my dad’s usually stellar game suffered when I was around. I was a distraction, these guys wanted friendly competition. I actually felt a little bad for them after awhile.
Add another 15 years to that maturity level and this day I felt even more compassion for the guys I was golfing with.
It’s a special gift to get to play golf in one of the meccas of golf where I live in Scottsdale, it’s an even bigger gift to get to play in one of north Scottsdale”s prestigious private country clubs.
My friend I’ll call Brian belongs to one of these clubs and he’s a real golfer. I mean he golfs under par, OK! I was appreciative of his generous offers to golf over the years, but I warned him that I was really bad and that he probably wouldn’t have a great day with me hacking up the course.
He understood the day would be a less serious day, probably a few good laughs, but he wouldn’t expect much from me.
Taking me to a private country club is like walking a bull through a china shop with skinny aisles.
After a nice lunch on our way out to the golf carts, (my favorite part) one of the attendees whispered something to Brian. He approached me tilting his head to one side, “Hey-ahh” “Your gonna need to tuck in your shirt”… “You know, club rules”…
Being the sensible gentleman that I am I didn’t unzip my pants and do it right there, no – I did the gentlemanly thing and made my way to the bathroom to do so. After all, I’m not an animal…
The first few holes out as I was chasing my balls from one side of the course to the other and out into the desert I didn’t see the cart signs to know I was in forbidden cart territory.
Brian who looks like a chiseled mountain motions me over, “Hey, do me a favor and don’t drive past the cart signs” — “They’ll be all over my donkey”! (other name for donkey actually used) “Oh man,”! “I’m sorry, I didn’t even see em”! Even my other friend, I’ll call Tim said, “Yeah, they don’t appreciate driving up around the greens”…
A few days later I was telling some other friends about my golf outing and one of them said, “That’s not right, to embarrass you like that”! All I could say was, “I wasn’t embarrassed, I don’t expect to be great or even good at something I don’t work to be good at. I actually enjoyed it.”
I wonder how many people don’t do or say things they should because they’re afraid what someone might think of them? My opinion is if you’re scared of little things in life, you’re going be mortified in fear of the big things.
What beckons more respect, taking action in fear or fun and for what you believe in, or being passive, hiding in fear about everything in your life, big and small.
Fear is existing.
Action is living.
“Whom shall I fear”?
Jennifer
Wednesday, May 4, 2011 @ 12:48 pm
It’s great that you can have such a good attitude and have fun doing something that is a struggle for you. I don’t mind not being good at something, but I will say that I have a tough time putting myself out there if everyone around me is good.
You’ve given me food for thought today!
Floyd
Wednesday, May 4, 2011 @ 5:45 pm
Well thanks Jennifer, if I can accomplish that in you, with as sharp as your mind is, then I’ll chalk it up to a good day!
Bt
Wednesday, May 4, 2011 @ 7:30 pm
I respect you for giving it a try, embrassing the challenge and not mooning the pro shop when you had to tuck in your shirt. 🙂 Goes to show that a person can have fun by being with the right kind-of-people even if your not good at something. Who knows maybe your interest and talents in golf will grow over time. Bt
Floyd
Thursday, May 5, 2011 @ 6:52 am
You hit the nail on the head, it is all about the company you’re in. You know I must be getting more mature, the thought to moon the pro shop never crossed my mind… You could be right about growing my interests in golf, although that might actually bring out the monster in me. If that happens I don’t know if I’d have as much fun?
Lisa Galati
Thursday, May 5, 2011 @ 6:38 am
Floyd!
I love it! Been there. About the 5 th time ever golfing in my life I got a call from Denny saying we were going to be in a couples golf tournament with his boss and his wife at their country club. In asking my avid golfing aunt what to do, she honestly responded, “Start drinking about 2 hours before you meet.” It worked!
I put my best looking tennis shoes on and laughed the entire time.
In my life I have found those situations have made me laugh the most. It’s AOK to laugh at yourself just not others!
Have a ball at McKenzie’s graduation this Friday. Tears are allowed! We’ll be thinking about you all.
Floyd
Thursday, May 5, 2011 @ 6:56 am
Thanks Lees, I think it’s the funniest thing when I or anyone swings hard and misses the ball completely! It’s surreal for Kenz to be graduating, I still haven’t grasped it. Thanks for the comment, it’s always great to hear from you…
katdish
Thursday, May 5, 2011 @ 7:51 am
“They’ll be all over my donkey.” May have to add that to my vernacular. I am consistently amazed how much time people waste on worrying about what other people think. Worry about what God thinks and everything else just sort of falls into place. You’ll make mistakes, but who doesn’t?
Floyd
Thursday, May 5, 2011 @ 9:37 am
Great point, there was only one Being that walked this earth mistake free.
Brenda
Thursday, May 5, 2011 @ 2:16 pm
Hey, hey, hey! I thought I’d stop by and catch up. You don’t look like the type that would enjoy golf. I’m not entirely crazy about it myself. I have a lot of respect for you for trying though. Hats off to you my friend! BTW, I’m going to the L.A. Fitness on 20th steet and Camelback. The only problem with it though is they do not have a hand bike. One of the managers is trying to get it though. I’ll catch ya later!
Floyd
Thursday, May 5, 2011 @ 8:44 pm
HI Brenda! It is great to hear from you my friend. Thanks for stopping by, miss seeing you.
patty
Thursday, May 5, 2011 @ 7:46 pm
Hay Floyd !
Loved your story I have never played golf Im’ sure I would step on a lot of donkeys !
Floyd
Thursday, May 5, 2011 @ 8:45 pm
Thanks Patty, I look like a real donkey out there let me tell ya!
Pat
Friday, May 6, 2011 @ 8:17 am
“Fear is existing. Action is living.” I like that picture.
If you think about it, we see this same thing in church. There are those people (we’ll call them the Pharisees) who expect you to dress a certain way and behave a certain way in church also (“we don’t raise our hands in church”, “you can’t wear jeans to church!” or heaven forbid you should shout “Amen!” – yes, I’ve heard all of these).
I don’t think God cares if our shirts are tucked in or if we laugh a little, I think His concerns are more on the eternal side.
This was a great post! I was chuckling as I read it; I could picture the whole thing! I think we are all glad you didn’t moon anyone, though I must say it would have made for a better post! (the icing on the cake as it were!) Seriously, I’m proud of you for handling the whole situation with restraint and humor.
Floyd
Friday, May 6, 2011 @ 11:41 am
Thanks Pat, it really was fun. I think the most important role in this or any other in our lives is our perspective. We walk into all situations with a pre-determined goal for ourselves. If the goal is about the wrong thing it’s going to be a bad outcome. It’s taken me a long time to figure that out…
Jake
Friday, May 6, 2011 @ 8:03 pm
I’m with you on this. I SUCK AT GOLF (and all other sports) I run and that is about it. I have the hand-eye coordination of a drunk toddler… SO why the #3%% do I own golf clubs? To give myself a reason to cuss. But I get all sorts of buggered when I golf with better people and I hardly even go anymore because it’s just so ridiculous, even though I know I should probably work at it… who knows.
Floyd
Saturday, May 7, 2011 @ 8:45 am
It’s all about perspective my friend. There was a time when the few times I’d go golfing and hit a bad shot (which was quite often) I’d throw a fit, throw a club, swing my club as hard as I could into the ground like an extended tomahawk. Then it dawned on me, how could I expect to be good at anything I don’t practice regularly with a passion? But I completely understand. Been there, done that.