One Swing Philosophy — What Golf Taught Me About Life

Yesterday's round wasn't just another day of golf. It gave me three unexpected gifts. The first made me laugh. The second made me think. The third completely surprised me. Gift #1 – The Ball Gag Everything became quiet on the tee box. My friend had already finished the setup and was just about to start the swing. Then, at the very last second... the ball quietly slipped off the tee and dropped straight below it. It was one of those little things that happens to almost every golfer sooner or later. But because everyone was watching so seriously, the timing made it absolutely hilarious. Even our caddie couldn't stop laughing. I laughed first and shouted, "Last time we had the Grip Gag... today we've invented the Ball Gag!" 😂 Everyone laughed even harder. After a few seconds, I told my friend, "Don't rush. Step back. Take one practice swing. Then trust your normal routine." My friend smiled, reset, and hit a beautiful drive. ...

One thing I have realized over the years is that I do not care too much about the result. What I care about is whether I am clear about my decision. This lesson appears everywhere in my life, but I notice it most clearly on a Par 3 golf hole. Sometimes I choose a club, and then I notice that another golfer has selected a different one. Many players like to wait and see what others do before making their final decision. They gather information, compare, and adjust. There is nothing wrong with that. But I have always preferred something different. I do not mind hitting first. In fact, I often prefer it. On a Par 3, I do not need to know what club everyone else is using. On the tee box, I do not need to see everyone else's shot before I hit mine. I simply want to make my own decision and commit to it. Over many years of playing golf, I learned that uncertainty creates tension. When I stand over the ball holding a 7-iron while secretly wondering if I should have chosen an 8-iron, my sw...

Today, I woke up at 5:00 as usual. I took my two dogs for a walk and decided to try a different route. I have always loved exploring new paths, but walking with my dogs makes me more careful. I never know if a new route will be safe. There could be dogs guarding their homes, stray dogs wandering around, or other unexpected surprises. So we usually follow the same familiar path. This morning, however, I trusted my curiosity. We discovered a quiet stream hidden above Jeongbang Waterfall. My two dogs immediately forgot about the familiar route. They happily wandered from one patch of grass to another, stopping every few steps to sniff new scents. Watching them explore reminded me that the joy isn't only in reaching a destination—it's in discovering something we didn't know was there. And that's exactly why I love golf. Every round feels like walking a new path. Even on the same course, nothing is ever quite the same. The wind changes. The lie changes. My swing changes...

Today, my golf bag stayed home. Instead, a 20-liter sprayer rode in the back of my car. I drove to my Hwangchil tree field, where I have been taking care of my trees for the past seven years. I spent about two hours spraying weeds and cleaning around the trees. To many people, two hours may not sound like much. But during Korea's rainy season, those two hours feel much longer. The weather is hot, humid, and exhausting. Before I even leave home, I already know how hard the work will be. Interestingly, winter and spring are different. Working in the field during those seasons is actually enjoyable. The air is cool, and the trees seem to grow quietly with me. Summer tells a different story. The weeds grow incredibly fast. If I ignore them for just a few weeks, they quickly take over the field. Nature never takes a vacation. So neither can the person who cares for it. Fortunately, experience has helped me. Handling a 20-liter sprayer no longer feels difficult. But it ...

There is a common belief that money allows us to do what we want. But in reality, money often works in the opposite way. It gives us the freedom not to do what we don’t want. Not to go where we don’t belong. Not to stay where we feel uncomfortable. Not to compromise our values just to survive. That alone changes everything. Money is not just a tool for consumption. It quietly becomes a sponsor of our mental state. When your financial ground is stable, your mind is no longer pulled in ten different directions. You can focus. You can stay present. You can choose. And that is where real performance begins. Think about a single golf shot. To stay committed to one swing, your mind needs to be calm, steady, and undistracted. But if your life outside the course is unstable— if money is constantly pulling at your thoughts— that calm doesn’t exist. The swing may look the same, but the mind behind it is completely different. Yes, sometimes golf or small moments of hap...

Some mornings feel like an entire day. Today was one of them. I started the morning by walking my two dogs. It was a peaceful way to begin the day. Then I met a friend at the driving range. As we had planned, we practiced together before brunch. The best part was that I rediscovered the rhythm of my full swing. That alone made me happy. Later, I met another close friend at Tomorrow Café. We enjoyed a delicious brunch with a beautiful ocean view and agreed that it has the best view and the nicest interior among the cafés we've visited. Our conversation wasn't about shopping or travel. Instead, we laughed while talking about weeds, grass trimmers, and taking care of our tree lands. Since we both manage our own small fields, we understood each other perfectly. Sometimes, the most ordinary conversations become the most enjoyable ones. Then came the funniest moment of the day. One of my golf friends called me. She said, "I think the putter inside my putter cover i...