Published
in Natural Awakenings – 2002
Zen and Golf
Zen means to understand the essence of the universe; za, to sit without moving,
like a mountain. Zen is neither a theory nor an idea; it is not an intellectual
concept. It is a practice: correct sitting. Zazen practice brings about an
interior revolution: a deep wisdom whose essence is unattainable through logical
thought alone. Zazen and golf is an anomaly in that while playing golf one
is rarely sitting unless on a bench waiting to play from the tee. The way
a golfer understands how Zen and golf intertwines is when the golfer hits
the perfect shot and it feels so effortless that they can’t remember
making the motion.
My experience with Zen and golf came at an early age when my father gave me
the Book “Zen In The Art of Archery” by Eugene Herigel. Later that
year a waitress at the golf course I was working at gave me the book “Golf
In The Kingdom” by Michael Murphy. She said her father gave it to all
of his golfing buddies and that she felt I should read it. I had received
it about two months after I finished “Zen In The Art of Archery”.
It was cosmic in that “Golf In The Kingdom” makes references to
“Zen In The Art of Archery”. I was seeking information on how to
tap into my core and play better golf and the books came my way. “Watch
out what you wish for, you just might get it”. – Richard Bach -
“ILLUSIONS”
I am a cosmic, karmic, journeyman and also a PGA Class “A” Golf
Professional. As a younger man my obsession with golf drove me to play 36
holes a day, hit hundreds of golf balls, swim, stretch, eat right, and lift
weights just to stay competitive on the amateur circuits in the Chicago area
where I grew up. My golf could have driven me insane with the amount of technical
knowledge I was devouring. I felt that the mechanics of golf were so vast
that by hitting hundreds of golf balls a day was the only way to perfect the
technique. By reading the books “Zen In The Art of Archery” and
“Golf In The Kingdom” I had put it out in the universe that I wanted
to learn about ZEN, but had not yet found a tangible, practical way to understand
it.
One July afternoon while hitting golf balls and sweating on the driving range,
a gentleman came over to watch me hit shots and commented on how effortless
my swing looked. I thanked him for his flattering comments and introduced
myself. His name was Brian and after talking with him I came to realize he
shared my passion for the game and a wonderful friendship began. Brian had
been a national champion figure skater in the 60s and his deep gaze proved
to me that he was so in touch with the art of focus and competition that I
knew he could teach me something about intensity in competitions. We met on
the driving range daily and hit golf balls and spoke briefly about Zen. I
found out that Brian had been taking Tai Chi lessons from an eighty year old
Chinese Master. He had started in the winter and met the Master outside every
other day. The Master only wore a long sleeve shirt. For those of unfamiliar
with Chicago Winters, you do not want to be familiar with them. Brian was
able to teach me about the great powers of breath and the internal energies
of CHI .
What I learned was that playing golf and taking deep slow breaths brought
my young Western mind to realize that I had only been using half of my brain
– the left lobe – the rational Western lobe. I recall the exact
shot when I first felt my whole mind and body meld into the moment: I was
playing the par five 18th hole at The Glencoe Golf Club in Glencoe, Illinois.
Brian had helped me to visualize the perfect drive flying 295 yards with a
slight draw (right to left shape) and after convincing myself that I could
actually “see” the path of the ball in my imagination, I stepped
up and made my driver swing. The ball cracked off of my persimmon MacGregor
653 driver and flew 310 yards. For my second shot I had 220 yards to the green
and I chose a 3 iron. Now, I was pumped from the drive and Brian reminded
me to breathe deep and imagine the shot several times before I hit it. I visualized
it and kept the image in my mind as I focused on the ball. The swing felt
like a wave of the hand and the ball flew off of the clubface. It landed softly
on the green ten feet away. I went through the breathing and visualization
again as I lined up the putt and then I strolled up to address the ball, aligned
myself (figuratively and literally), focused on a dimple on the ball, and
then stroked the ball into the hole for an eagle! Brian and I were elated.
Teacher and student in total success. I had made the mind/body connection
and repeated it on three different shots and in turn imprinted my own personal
ZEN into my being and golf game forever.
Our exhalation is that of the entire universe.
Our inhalation is that of the entire universe.
At each moment, we thus realize the great unlimited work
To have this attitude is to make all unhappiness disappear, and to engender
absolute happiness.
Master - Kodo Sawaki
Correct breathing is essential during zazen. It is calm and establishes a
slow, strong, natural rhythm. The exhalation is long and deep. The masters
often compare it to the mooing of a cow. The inhalation is shorter and happens
naturally. This slow, calm, deep exhalation sweeps away mental complications.
The mind becomes as clear as a cloudless sky.
When the mind rests on nothing, true mind appears.
Diamond Sutra
Through the practice of zazen, cardiac and respiratory functions are regularized.
The brain reacts to stimuli, but returns very quickly to the rhythm of zazen
(slow alpha and theta); because of this, stress cannot develop. As in zazen,
we can be totally present in the moment, in the plenitude of here and now.
Our minds are pacified, without complications, without calculations, without
fear. Selfishness diminishes and we follow the flux of cosmic life more naturally.
Thus, our relationship to others becomes easier, more transparent. Compassion
manifests and wisdom appears. In this way we can cut through to what is essential
and life becomes simple. Zazen is the adult form of our lives. It is true
happiness, authentic freedom.
I practice a special form of breathing and visualization before every golf
shot and I am able to be in the moment at all times on the golf course. The
obsessive practice of hitting hundreds of golf balls has been replaced by
a lot of visualization and hitting a few golf balls every other day to keep
my muscles reminded of the form. The Zen Masters teach perfect mechanics and
also the technique of no mechanics at all. Balance in golf and life is essential
and taking the time to feel your own breath will empower you to be one with
the universe.
Phillip Jaffe is the owner of Professional Golf Guides of Orlando at www.progolfguides.com.
Professional Golf Guides of Orlando is an all in one golf service that teaches
golfers how to be better players on the golf course in a playing lesson format.
If you or someone you know would like to experience a playing lesson and learn
how to tap into your own Zen, please contact us.
