The Artful Golfer

The Game of Golf As Art

The Challenge Course at Monarch Dunes

Approaching the age of 50, I finally found the opportunity to take up the game of golf.

I improved quickly, lowering my handicap from 16 to 4 in just 2 years. I broke 80 for the first time after a couple dozen rounds and shot under par only one year after increasing my frequency of play to more than once a week.

I accomplished this while continuing to work as a software engineer, and without taking lessons or focusing on technology, mechanics or technique. Instead, I approached the game creatively, learning to improve my inner game and discover my natural swing. I've continued to improve, reaching a low index of 1.4 and a low round of 68.

Although I didn’t take formal lessons, many helped me along the way. I’ve included links in the right column to introduce the golfers that helped or inspired me to play this game more artfully, hoping one inspires you to do the same.

I'm still learning to get out of my own way. For, as Fred Shoemaker shares in his book Extraordinary Golf, "When you disappear, Golf as Art shows up. The resulting void is where all the important discoveries, personal development, satisfaction, joy and fulfillment take place."