Gus

I believe that golf is a perfect allegory to life. I love golf, and have played for half of my young life. I have read about the game, practiced the game, and played the game. I got a job at a country club just to be around golf because I love it so much.
I believe that golf is the most frustrating activity on the face of the planet. The ubiquitous frustration of golf is present in life as well. It seems that life is nothing but frustration, and it is the people who can overcome this frustration that know how to live and play golf. For example, I was the number one golfer of the high school golf team. I was supposed to be the one who went to the regional tournament. Golf had a different plan for me. It was the worst 36 holes of my life. As soon as the first setback occurred, I could not overcome it. The first day, I threw tantrums, threw my bag, and threw clubs. I resolved that the next day would be better; I remained optimistic. The next day was worse. The tantrums were gone, but so was the fun. Frustration was all I knew, and I could not transcend it. It was only after the final putt of my high school career came up short that I realized the frustration was inevitable, and that I should have taken it in stride and focused on the fun instead of lamenting on how poorly I was playing. I believe that the pressure got to me, as it had been doing in my life, and made me forget that I love golf.
I believe that it is the little things, the rare occasions that fill us with joy, that keep people living and keep people playing golf. That 60 foot putt is the promotion you’ve waited for, and that hole in one is the acceptance letter to your dream college. I believe we must focus on these rare occasions, as sporadic as they may be, to continue with a successful game and life. Dwelling on all the bad shots and the failures will only hurt your game and your life, and you must move on.
In life, we encounter those who seem to have given up on themselves and others. These are ones who quit golf; they do not have the will to continue, they are lazy, they do not wish to work hard to achieve results. Life, as with golf, will not forgive a bad choice, and the ones who succeed are the ones who get back on track, get over their addictions, and get out of the bunker. I believe that everyone will end up in the bunker, and that the ones who know how to get out will have the most fulfilling lives.
Golf is a passion of mine. I believe that to succeed in golf, you must pour yourself into it. I also believe that the same goes for life. Those who are passionate about life have more fun, and I believe that is what life is about. If you do not have fun while playing golf or living life, then there is no point to either.  
One of the most important things golf has taught me is how to lose. Golf is the only sport where you are always a loser; no matter how well you play, there is always a mistake you made somewhere during your round. The best is not achievable, but you still strive for it. If everyone took this optimism and applied it to life, then the world would be a much better place.

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