Dealing with Reality

Dealing With Reality

Greetings Golfers,

Yesterday I played golf with family. Had a great time … in fact, a little too much fun. I say too much … because I had too much “fun juice."

Not that things got crazy … but I don’t recover very well anymore.

But “fun juice” can get things crazy on a golf course. The other night I was watching YouTube videos of fights on golf courses. They shouldn’t make me laugh … but some of them are hilarious.

I’m not going to add a link … you’re probably better off looking on your own (if you’re in the mood for watching ridiculous behavior). I haven’t seen many … but more than you’d think, some videos have guys whipping off their shirts … and they’re usually old guys. Huh??????

Having a few drinks on the course can be fun … and keeps things loose. And for some of us … help loosen up our golf swing.

But … we need to stay in reality.

Golf is such a good reality test. Hit it - find it - deal with it.

I think as people moved away from nature and created man-made worlds … they also got disconnected from reality.

So, they started creating views of the world not grounded in reality … it’s how they want to see the world … not as it really is.

Then, they only hang around with people who share their view of reality. It becomes an echo-chamber. And it can get pretty goofy. And … the goofier it gets … the smaller their eco-chamber gets.

But reality always wins.

Calling a dog a snake … doesn’t hold-up. Calling poison a health-food … doesn’t hold-up. Saying you made a par when you made a double … doesn’t hold-up.

Let’s talk about fighting … and I don’t mean on the golf course. People go crazy when you don’t speak their echo-chamber language.

Healthy people enjoy hearing different points-of-view and different ideas.

People who instinctively know that their world view is not based on reality … go crazy.

I’m not talking about dealing with people who are insulting - that shouldn’t be tolerated - I’m talking about not tolerating a different point-of-view.

That’s why our First Amendment is Freedom of Speech.

The videos of golf fights are usually about people hitting into each other.

It should probably be handled without fighting.

But … sometimes … “fun juice” can turn into “fight juice”.

I recommend solving it with freedom of speech … fighting should be the last option.

Living in reality … and dealing with each other verbally is the sign of a healthy society.

As always … golf is the answer.

Cheers!

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com