“Why Keep Score?”

When I first started playing golf I never kept score. What was the point? I mean come on – I had so many strokes, I kept forgetting the total for each hole. Besides it was way too depressing to say my score out loud to my golfing partners, when most of them would have a lower score than me.

I decided early on that keeping score wasn’t worth the embarrassment and sad feelings it invoked each time I wrote my score.

So I focused on just enjoying the overall aspect of the game and honed in on the basics of the sport. In fact, I not only didn’t keep score, I also would tee up my ball in the middle of the fairway, or move it out of a divot, or even drop my ball by Marc’s – sort of my version of “Best Ball”.

Doing this has helped me to enjoy the game so much more.

When I stopped keeping score, I found my golf game became more pleasurable. I started to enjoy the look of a ball going through the sky the way I thought it should; the feel of a chip I nipped just right. I got pleasure out of the shots when I hit them rather than from a score at the end.

It was good to just go play and not feel accountable. Besides, there’s no law that says you have to keep score to play this game – or is there? (More on that below).

When I do not keep score, I begin to play for the spiritual experience.

But the more I play this game, the more I recognize that golf LOVES a number. Only bowlers keep score more unfailingly, though for them the overhead computers don’t really give much choice. (Am I right Lynn?)

I really am serious here. For instance – the most obvious one is each hole is numbered. But let’s not forget each golf club has a number to identify it. And even the golf balls have numbers on them. I have often wondered what that is all about!? (More on that here).

When looking deeper into this “number thing” with golf, I found that the world’s greatest golfers not only improve their game by practice, but they also analyse the mathematical strategies behind the sport, which results in the fact that numbers drive the game. There is even a book all about it.

It appears that computers, GPS trackers, swing simulators, and high-speed cameras have introduced new and exciting ways of seeing and understanding the complicated and endlessly fascinating game of golf. Players like Rory McIlroy and Nelly Korda are so good because they review the results of every swing they take.

I am no longer a “beginner” golfer, which means I now keep score. I keep score to track my game to determine whether I am getting better over time (which I will let you in on a secret – I have gotten better!!)

Heck – we are even “keeping score” for each of the courses we review!

By keeping score, I can now compete against my family, friends, and even strangers, and feel more part of the game with them. Not to mention keeping score is a basic tenant of golf. (See golf Rule 3.3b – Scoring in Stroke Play)

Perhaps it would be better if I outline why I think it is important for me to keep score while playing golf. It’s pretty straight forward:

• it helps me know who I am beating in my group (I need all the help I can get here!)
• it helps with course management
• its fun
• it is now part of my playing routine

Funny, I think I find myself keeping score, if you will, off the course too. As I become more “seasoned” in life, I see that keeping score is important in my life.

Now before I get a deluge of comments saying that “keeping score” on things in life is bad – I am not talking about keeping a record of all of those who have wronged me or have not been that nice to me. I do not count, give energy to, or dwell on those scores.

What’s the point?

What I am talking about here is the score-keeping in my life to know where I have been, what I have accomplished to mark my progress, and establish my personal identification. In the game of life, keeping “score” gives me the much-needed feedback I need to make the right adjustments, so I don’t forget to count my wins.

Actually I think I would call my keeping score as a list of gratitude. Honestly, calling it “keeping score” or “gratitude” doesn’t really matter to me. What does matter is the effect it has on my life. Keeping a score of all the good in my life has made it possible to live a more fulfilling and peaceful life.

Because what is measured, is what is remembered!

My Reads From The Reds: On or off the golf course, it’s difficult to improve what you don’t measure.

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting.   

Written by Kathy Festa