I have recently taken up golf and very much enjoying the learning of the game, the skill required to play plus the rules and etiquette.

As I am past the first flush of youth many people assume I have been playing for some time, often a conversation that is the ice-breaker on the driving range. When they see my attempts to hit a ball they instantly realise I am a novice.

Whilst I am taking the lessons and learning seriously enough, I am trying not to take myself too seriously and spoil the sessions.

I have been asked why hadn’t I played before – after some thought my answers are mainly:

• Busy with travel and business
• Not really interested
• Couldn’t commit to turning up therefore I would be unreliable
• The inconsistence of when I could play
• Not a priority with my time
• The time it takes was too much to fit into my calendar
• The impact on the people around me with the time I would need to commit

What made me choose to start playing now:

• Encouragement from others
• I can choose to make the space in my calendar
• Far less travel for business, so more opportunity
• I can turn up and not have to rush off so can be more sociable and engaged
• I like nature and walking and golf courses are usually attractive, well looked after places with lots of greenery and trees.

Certainly a shift in circumstances and thinking.

A few days ago, I played my first 18 holes. It was on a course different from the one where I am learning. The people I played with were all much better golfers and had been playing considerably longer. They were all kind and helpful and I did try to make sure my speed of play was good enough to keep up with them in spite of not being able to hit the ball far or as accurately.

On many holes it was a long way to the green and hole, often without the hole being in view from the start point.

In this picture one can see the starting point of the tee with the flag in the far distance. It was a wonderful time of the year to play and be outside, as can be seen with the autumn colour really starting to take hold. Plus, it was not raining.

After an enjoyable few days and a couple more rounds of golf I headed for home. On the way back I was thinking about this new activity I have taken up.

Many articles, even books will have been written containing much of the comparisons of golf with other aspects of life. I have no intention of drawing on the depths of that material.

I was left with one overarching thought – to play golf well one needs to invest a lot of time in learning, practice and playing - that thought was:

Is there something that could now be important or attractive enough that you are prepared to make changes and create space in your life to undertake? And importantly, are you discussing with anyone else the impact of this change?

These are thoughts I shall consider, there may be something else that this initial change will encourage me to adjust too.

My best wishes,

Peter