“Golf Swag”

Each time we move and our things finally arrive, I find myself getting really excited when unpacking all our golf gear!   Our clubs, our bags, our buggies and balls; our practice tools and training items; our shoes and clothing; and even our gloves.  Seeing all our golf stuff gets me pumped and eager to play, so it should be no surprise to anyone that we always seem to unpack our golf swag first.

We even have a golf stand to properly place all our golf gear!  

I mean come on, doesn’t everyone?  

But it’s funny because once all our golf toys and gear are in their proper places, I usually then ask myself “Why do we have so much golf stuff?  I mean really – why?”  

If I think about it – basically all my golf gear has become essential tools that I need when I play.  (And of course to look good – but wait….I’ve digressed.)  I know a set of clubs, a few golf balls (or many depending on the course I plan on playing), and a few tees, are technically all I really need to play a round on the track.  

So I know when I am talking about gear it depends on what specific “gear” I am talking about.  For me, all my golf gear is nothing but the correct set of tools that will help me while playing the game.  It’s equipment that will help me before, after and during my rounds.  They help my training and play. They are designed and crafted to bring ease in the act of playing golf.  

Some of my golf equipment is expertly designed tools that have helped me get control of my body and enhance my bodily limits to gain the desired results while playing a round.  

To put it in a more basic term – they are gizmos that are very essential to play!

I remember when I was first beginning to play golf I was quickly inundated with all the different kinds of golf equipment available in stores and online – the different brands, sizes, colors, shapes, lofts, degrees, balls, tees, etc.  It all became overwhelming when all I wanted to do is get the essentials and go play 18 holes.  However, the issue isn’t having too much gear.  

It’s thinking gear will make me play better, rather than putting in the time and effort of practicing.

Of course the golf-marketing gods do a great job of helping reinforce that very idea – isn’t it true the more golf “stuff” you have the better you will play? 

That seems to play out off the course as well.  It amazes me all the “swag” I continue to buy and collect.  Books, jackets, shoes, lawn equipment, nick-nacks, BBQ gear – you name it, I seem to buy it! 

I am doing my best to keep things simple and not gather too much.  If I do buy something, I have decided that something I already have must go.  Sometimes that is a no brainer – new shoes in, old shoes out.  Other times I struggle with what goes.  

But then I remember our new mantra – “Will it fit in the RV?” and suddenly it’s easy.

I am reminded that I don’t need a better computer to become a writer, I don’t need a better guitar to become a musician, and I don’t need a better camera to become a photographer – I guess what I really need is to get to work!

Naturally there’s been a lot of learning (or more often unlearning) but slowly and steadily, my entire life has changed and the “swag” in my life is becoming less.

My Reads from the Reds –  Having less “swag” truly creates more.   

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting.

Written by Kathy Festa