Did You Play Golf On Christmas Day

A Christmas day tradition in many families is to go for a walk sometime during the day. Sometimes a stroll is taken before returning indoors to face a big meal, or alternatively afterwards, so that a few calories can be walked off! It's just nice to take the time to walk and talk and enjoy a relaxing stroll in the fresh air, without pressure. It's peaceful. It's quality family time.


Golfing on Christmas day provides a slight twist to the theme. It's not always quite so relaxing! That said, whether golf is relaxing or not does depend upon your personality. I always enjoy playing golf, no matter how my game is. But for some people it can be a frustrating experience if that little while ball isn't responding as desired. And if one person in the party isn't happy, his or her frustration can ruffle everyone else's feathers as well.


I haven't had the opportunity to play golf on Christmas day for several years now, but I remember the joy of being on an almost empty course and loving it. Last time I played on Christmas day, it was on a bright, sunny, crisp and almost frosty morning. It was spectacularly good weather for the North of England for that time of year, and something almost unheard of happened...there was no wind!


There we were, two couples, playing golf on our own seemingly private course, having an absolute ball! Ok, so I have to admit it really was too cold to play more than nine holes without suffering from frostbite. But it was so much fun. Afterwards we all went home and embarked upon eating out traditional British Christmas day meal.


And so I found myself wondering this Christmas how many people played golf? And where did they play and who with? Who enjoyed it and who didn't really appreciate the experience?


Everyone should enjoy golf, no matter how his or her game "pops out" on the day. Golf is more than just a game. It is truly a privilege to be able to walk upon a beautiful manicured golf course, out in the open, to have the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of nature, to breathe in the fresh air. It is a privilege to have good friends to spend time with. It is a privilege to have the time to play this game.


It is also a privilege to have the opportunity to learn and grow through the experience of traversing the challenges that golf poses to the human psyche. It is a very "levelling" game indeed!


Golf teaches us a lot so long as we allow it to do so. I played with a friend today who confesses to having felt frustrated when she was first playing golf and then quickly learning to respond with a more appropriate mindset. She now enjoys every round of golf, no matter what happens, and truly appreciates the beauty of this game.


I'm sure we have all entered that zone of frustration. The key is to move through it and then to erect barriers to prevent it from revisiting you and disturbing your emotional equilibrium. I suspect that many golfers begin a new year with a resolution to improve their attitude towards golf. Everyone can do this so long as they make a commitment to do so. Golf hypnosis can be a very helpful aid in achieving this goal.


Roseanna Leaton, avid golfer and specialist in golf hypnosis mp3s and author of the GolferWithin golf mind training system.


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