The Scene: Calm Inside the Chaos
The scene was a study in contrasts.
Outside the ropes of the Dominion Energy Classic, a Schwab Cup Playoff event, the crowds were milling around, caught up in the tension of a close competition. Ernie Els, Justin Leonard, and Bernhard Langer were battling it out, neck and neck.
Inside the ropes, though, it was a different world. The players walked casually—slowly, even—as if out on a Sunday stroll. After each hole, whether it was a birdie or a bogey, they would saunter past us toward the next tee, moving deliberately but evenly, heads up, unhurried.
My Own Contrast
The difference between them and me was obvious.
When I play golf, an observer could read my score just by looking at me. My pace and posture tell the story—whether it’s frustration, excitement, or stress.
But those players reminded me: our bodies both tell a story about how we feel and shape how we feel.
The Body’s Signal
When I lower my head in anger or frustration, my breathing becomes shallow. That simple act signals to my brain that I’m in danger and need protection. Cortisol spikes. Muscles tighten.
But when I consciously slow down—when I breathe deeply and lift my head—I’m retraining my mind. I’m sending a message that everything is going to be alright.
Slowing down isn’t passivity. It’s practice. It’s an act of faith.
Dallas Willard’s Surprising Wisdom
Many years ago, pastor John Ortberg asked his mentor, Dallas Willard, what advice he would give as John entered leadership at a large, demanding church.
Willard thought for a moment and said simply:
“Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”
Ortberg was surprised. “What else?” he asked.
Willard smiled and repeated, “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”
That single line has echoed in my mind for years – wisdom distilled to its purest form.
Golf—and Life—Under Pressure
I’ve often heard television commentators note, during the final holes of a golf tournament, how the leader begins to speed up his routine—a telltale sign of mounting stress.
In golf, when pressure rises, the players who deliberately maintain their normal, steady rhythm are the ones who perform best. They send their minds and bodies the same message: You are okay.
The higher the stress, the more I’m learning to lean on routine and pace—both on the golf course and in life.
The Counterintuitive Truth
This truth extends far beyond golf. I’m learning that hurry is never necessary or helpful.
Even when I’m late (which I hate with a passion), rushing doesn’t help. When pressure is highest and time is short, I now purposely slow down, control my breathing, relax, and focus.
Ironically, this calm approach gets me to my destination faster—and in the right frame of mind.
A Simple Experiment
Try this counterintuitive tactic—on the course and in life:
Consciously slow down. Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.
Watch how much better, how much more enjoyable, life becomes.
This is how bad rounds turn into decent rounds, and good rounds into great ones.
It’s how stress transforms into steadiness, and problems turn into manageable opportunities.
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