It’s December… which means, like many of you, I’ve been running around like a maniac – working, shopping, planning menus, decorating, merry making, and wrapping up gifts and loose ends at the same frenetic pace. And then there’s the business of making an attempt to eat healthy food, exercise, and get enough rest in the midst of it all.

In other words, December is a pretty chill month.

But even while riding this holiday crazy train, I get a little nostalgic. December tends to do that to a person. For example, the other day I had a fit of nostalgia that rivaled Clark Griswald’s attic scene. Only I wasn’t watching old family movies, I was reflecting on my year in golf – the courses I played, the good and bad rounds, and the people I played with. Like everything, it all went by too fast.

I wondered… did I learn a few things that will help me improve next year? And more importantly, did I truly appreciate the moments? Even in my snarkiness, I’m still a softie who spends way too much time reflecting on these types of things.

What I came up with were a few revelations about golf that helped me put the game (and life) into perspective.

First, let’s talk about bad shots. I’m very familiar with these. Do I remember the bad shots? Of course, but not always in great detail. (Unless they were epically terrible. Those come back to haunt me in my dreams.) But in reality, those terrible shots that seem world-ending and character-defining really mean nothing. Let’s say that again. Bad shots mean nothing in the big picture.  They’re simply part of the game. There are bad shots in golf, and spoiler, there are bad shots in life. Think about that next time you’re putting for a 7 on a par three. Bad shots happen. So then, why let them ruin a perfectly good round? Not doing that next year.

Okay, now let’s talk about the good shots. These are the babies that give us hope. What’s better than a beautiful tee shot smack down the middle? A chip for a birdie? A ten foot putt? Oh, how we bask in the glory of those shots. Those shots bring us back again and again. Plus, good shots give us a super power of sorts. After a great shot, we feel confident and invincible, and often the rest of our round (and day) continues to be good. Good shots generate positive energy. I’m going to try and bottle that good feeling and see if I can use it to bring good vibes to future rounds and my life.

You can’t have good shots without practice.  I spent a lot of time taking lessons over the past year. But maybe not enough time practicing what I learned in lessons. I thought about this as I was reflecting. It’s great to have someone personally coach me and tell me all I’m doing right and wrong. BUT… a lot of times I’d go from lesson to course and back again, and not go the range or the putting green (where I needed the most help) to put it all together. Then I’d wonder why I was three putting so many rounds. Huh. Maybe next year I’ll realize that while obviously practice doesn’t make perfect (no such thing in golf), practice can make parfect. (Like how I did that?)

The golf season goes quickly. Appreciate it. This is a tough one to swallow. But isn’t it the truth? It seems like one minute it’s the inaugural round of spring, then POOF!  You’re knee deep in snow, wondering if you’ll ever see green or a green again. Such is golf. And such is life. Golf is one of the best reminders of how one season blends into the next. It all goes way too fast. With this in mind, I’m going to try not to get too wrapped up in the technicalities of the game (bad shots or bad rounds). Dwelling on the bad stuff does nothing for my game, and  it certainly isn’t good for the soul. Plus I bet it causes wrinkles. (Maybe?) Moving forward, I’m going to make the most of every round and appreciate the fact I’m playing at all.

Don’t forget the best part about golf. Spoiler. Even though the courses play a big part of this, it’s not the scenery. It’s the people. When I think back on my rounds, while yes, I appreciate the beautiful courses I was lucky enough to play, but that’s not what stands out.  It’s the people I played with and the conversations, laughs, and moments we shared. In addition, I remember all of the other “players” behind the scenes who made those golf experiences possible. The greenskeepers, the pros, my golf instructor, all of the golfers I follow for tips on Instagram. We’re all linked together because of our shared love for this game. That’s… a pretty fantastic bond to have over a sport, isn’t it?

The ultimate revelation. Upon reflecting on my year on golf…I realized something.  This trip down memory lane really wasn’t really about golf. It was about life. This whole time I thought I was trying to master my golf game, I was actually trying to master my life game. It’s kind of crazy how that works. And if the secret to mastering life means a day at the course on a gorgeous day with good friends who share a love of the game… well, I’ll take it. Bad shots and all.

Here’s to a New Year full of life changing moments… on and off the course.