I started playing Golf about 25 years ago. I was then about 42 years of age and had recently taken over the command of a Signal Regiment in the Indian Army. For the first 3 months of my Commanding Officer’s (CO) tenure, I was working very hard to understand the functioning of the Regiment and had almost turned into a workaholic. My subordinate officers were rather uncomfortable to see me in the office and on the ground almost 16-18 hours of the day as they also had to work equally hard. Till then I was only playing troop games like Hockey, Volleyball and Football and Golf was quite alien to me. It was at this point of time that one of my officers suggested that I should be playing Golf as it was an Officer Like game and would enhance my prestige as the CO. ( Perhaps, he wanted to get rid of me from sitting late in the office). Most of the COs of other units played Golf regularly. So taking this advice I went along with my fellow officer who initiated me to the game of Golf. Thereafter it became an addiction for me and I fell in love with this game. I have now been retired from the Army for the last 8 years but has kept playing Golf regularly and whenever I get chance. I have played Golf on various Indian Golf courses as well as abroad (whenever I visit any country). The game of Golf has kept me in good physical and mental shape. Golf also has many intrinsic benefits, some of which I can describe as under;
1. A great coordination of mental and physical abilities is required. If one is thinking of something else while hitting a shot, the results will be bad. One has to keep perfect harmony of mind and body.
2. It develops your character, like teaches you to be truthful while counting your shots even when no body is watching you. Because if one counts his shots lesser than actually hit, he is not being truthful to himself. Golf also gives you the ability to judge others. I have seen many guys counting their shots lesser in order to improve their score and as a companion of such a person I can straightway realize that the man is a fraud and lacks character qualities.
3 At times you do come across many sycophants playing Golf, who would never miss to complement their superiors even on hitting a bad shot. At times the senior is indeed embarrassed, because he knows that he has not actually hit a good shot. Such guys exhibit poor character qualities.
4. Golf is a great levellar. At times when you are playing a very good game and hitting pars and birdies, you do tend to be haughty. On the very next hole, you do very badly and spoil it. Thus it brings you to the mother earth.
5. There is always an element of curiosity in Golf as no two courses are the same. Every course offers different challenges and thus it is always fun to play on any new course.
6. You can play the game either in foursome, twosome and even alone. When I do not manage any partner, I play speed Golf all alone. I also carry a small camera or my smartphone to capture moods of nature while playing thus combining Photography with Golf.
7. Golf is a very creative and innovative game as you learn to improvise your shots from difficult areas like roughs, bunkers etc. No two situations are the same.
8. A continuous physical exercise while playing Golf gives you plenty of fresh air, entertainment and in turn longevity.
9. You tend to forget your worries while playing Golf. In fact at times one tends to forget your age and feel young.
10. While playing Golf you are one to one with the nature and surroundings.
Thus Golf is a boon for all and is a wonderful game. I have been enjoying it for the last 25 years and hopefully like to play as long as I can do it. (currently in my 67th of year).
Happy Golfing!
Guchi.
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