THE ETERNAL MULLIGAN: The Gospel for Golfers

The Apostle Paul was a golfer. We know this with absolute certainty because he told his young caddie Timothy, “I have finished the course.” (II Timothy 4:11)

But even more obvious, listen to his letter to the Country Club of Rome:

“I do not understand what I do... For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do. I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. No, the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7)

Apparently, Paul had a bad slice or hook. Maybe even the yips or shanks. For sure, he was no better than a 24 handicapper.

As for me, being a golfer turned out to be one of life’s great blessings. The game itself helped me to be a better lawyer, a better senator, a better judge, a better friend and even a better husband. Indeed, golf even helped me find eternal life and love. I know that sounds crazy, but please consider the following nine lessons from the game of golf that may change the trajectory of your life.

Read about the 9 lessons

SLUMDOG GOLFER: A Day at Kodaikanal Golf Club

Most days on the golf course are eventually forgotten (thanks be to God), but not a day at Kodaikanal. The course was built originally in 1898. They have pictures from the 1920’s on the wall in the clubhouse and you can feel the ghosts of British colonialism everywhere.

A family of monkeys on the first tee tells you part of this story. A fence around the first green to keep off the wild boars says more. The scorecard told me that we get free drops from “fresh excreta”. This was supposed to make me feel better but did not. Whose “fresh excreta” was not clear to me.

The only way to really describe it is to take you through my day at Kodai, short for Kodaikanal, a resort city in the mountains. I use the word ‘resort’ with reservation.

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BIG BERTHA: Dead at age Thirty (30)

Great Big Bertha walked slowly and somberly to the outdoor podium. She looked out over the largest gathering of golf clubs in history. Over one hundred clubs were dressed in their finest grips and covers. Many eyes were filled with tears.

“Thank you all for coming today. It is a sad day for all of us who knew my mother and your friend, Bertha. She was the grand ol’ lady of golf, loved and respected by everyone. She was an original.” Everyone nodded agreement.

“You called her BIG BERTHA. I called her Mom.” Emotion overcame the only daughter of Big Bertha. She reached for a small golf towel with a Pine Valley logo to wipe her tears.  

“She carried herself with dignity and class, never complaining when she was thrown or cursed. She brought sheer joy into the lives of so many, especially giving Mr. Wedge a lot of opportunities to shine,” she said with a smile. “Thank you for coming. Big Bertha’s death has already brought life by your appearance here today. Thank you!”

She took her seat next to the rest of Big Bertha’s family, including grandchildren Biggest Big Bertha and Big Bertha 454, plus the Callaway youngsters Rogue and Epic Flash, all sitting together on the front row.

The eulogy of Big Bertha’s eldest daughter brought joy filled tears. Almost all the greats had come for her funeral at the famous Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey, USA. Three other greats of the game offered eulogies to the exclusive crowd gathered on the green lawn near the 1st Tee.

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Did Someone Say Mulligan?

What if the sacred rules of golf are wrong?

Just asking that question may be links heresy. It feels as wrong as whispring in Sunday School that the Ten Commandments need improvement.

But please—listen for a moment.

Golf was dreamt up by the Scots or the Vikings or the Dutch sometime too long ago to remember. Invented by men who could not break 120 on their best day, these blokes were so bored that they decided to tromp around in the long grasses and weeds near the sea with their dogs looking for rabbit holes, then knock beach pebbles into those holes with their walking sticks. These same unhappy men then decided to make “rules.” And keep score. The rest is history.

But what if golf’s creators got it all wrong?

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LIFE IN THE GARDEN: Why Golf may be more important than you think

WHY GOLF MAY BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK

There is a mystical side to the game of golf and therefore the purposes of the ‘Second Tee’.

The lure of Golf is connected to the lure of the Garden. People become addicted to golf for a reason. It has something to do with green grass, wind, nature, water. It has something to do with friendship and walking on that green grass. Even the ‘rough’ has a certain appeal. There are rules, which we sort of like and don’t like. There is a scorecard for the serious but not necessary for all. It is all a mystery.

Golf is connected to Creation.

Golf is a way to go to a mysterious Garden that we know exists. Something deep inside of us says it is there. Most have never seen it. We can barely smell it. Our spirit can feel it. We haven’t fully heard the sounds of this garden. The birds are singing. The winds are blowing. But we cannot quite hear it all. But we know it is there.

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