Fundamental-less

Sooner or later, golfers realize they have to work on the fundamentals.

Eye on the ball, keep your head down, turn at the waist, shift your weight, follow-through.

You can spot someone who consistently applies the fundamentals. Long tee shots onto the fairway, approach shots that avoid the sand traps, chip shots land near the hole.

Consistent golfers - fundamentalists.

You can also spot the fundamental-less golfers. One tee shot goes left, the next right. Their approach shots go way short of the green, way long. They're in the sand, in the lake.

They might be great athletes and smart people. But they lift their head, or choose the wrong club, or neglect to follow-through. 

Both types of golfers eventually get through the course and end up back in the clubhouse. 

But honestly, even when fundamental-less golfers say, "Well, it was nice to be outside and I had a couple of good shots," they would have preferred keeping their ball out of the trees and sand.

Fundamentalists are able to offer them helpful, succinct advice, and they do.

Still, one or two tips can change the next shot - but it doesn't change their overall "game."

So when a sincere, seeking fundamental-less asks, "how can I be more fulfilled in this game if I really want to improve?" the fundamentalist is kind to advise, "get some lessons and go to the practice range."

Learn and study. Don't take short cuts or you'll just get different bad habits.

I've never heard a fundamental-less golfer grumble, "those darn consistent fundamentals golfers - who told them they could shoot par?!"   That same outcome is accessible and attainable to them.  Sure, not everyone goes on the pro tour, and not everyone wants to. But everyone can enjoy the best possible game available. Or they can hit random shots and walk the course in frustration. But that lacks purpose.

Jesus said, 

"I have come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

That abundant life is accessible and freely attainable. The fundamentals are in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Enjoy the course!

What do you believe?