The Hidden Benefits of Golf at Port Jefferson Country Club

With the advent of Spring and the warmer weather upon us my thoughts turn to golf. Actually, I think about the game throughout the year; the difference now is I  can get up to the lush fairways at our village and play a round.

The game of Golf offers a multitude of benefits for those of any age who choose to venture into the sport. Not all of these dividends are visible upon first glace, however, they are  a significant part of the play in both the game of golf and the game of life. Golf is an activity that builds character, emotional well being, strength and perseverance.

First, it is always a pleasure being outside in the fresh air strolling over grassy knolls and open fairways carpeted with lush green grasses occasionally interrupted by a meandering stream, a hidden pond or lake. For the person who enjoys the outdoors, golf is the perfect sport. The walk is invigorating, the swing itself is good exercise, as it makes use of all the body muscles when you swing the club correctly. A friend of mind, an M.D. of Oral Medicine, explained “that the muscles throughout the body are at work as you walk and swing the club. All the muscles groups are involved when playing the game in addition to the aerobic benefits you derive from walking over various terrains at good pace.” 

As the season progresses, you will feel the difference in how conditioned your legs and lungs become as you complete the eighteen holes. Your breathing in the walk up hill is less strenuous and your legs will not tire as easily. Once a member of the Village Club, you can chose to play six, nine or eighteen holes, working up walking eighteen as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. Riding carts offer advantages as well, when you bend and lift properly, however, I would not claim it is as good an exercise as a stroll with the bag strapped across your back looking out over the fairway or the woods as is my case, toward your next shot.

In addition to the physical benefits one derives from golf, there are the less often talked about mental skills one acquires when occupied with the game. Concentration is necessary if one is to be  a successful golfer. You have to learn to stay within yourself. You need to create a zone in which you see only your shot and your target, the hole or your placement of the next shot. You need to clear your mind of any outside distractions, think and focused solely on what your are doing. You must think of the club, the distance, the grip, the stance, and the swing and only that, if you plan on achieving an aptitude for the sport.

So many components must come together for a golf swing to work and launch the ball forward, arching  toward the green, that the slightest mishap or miscalculation can send your ball spinning off into the deep woods or rough. I know this first hand as I am still working on correcting a terrible slice off the tee.  Golf demands concentration, focus and composure all of which are needed when engaged in most careers and professions, and study. Staying on task without diversion is a critical skill that golf engenders each time you approach the ball.  Once learned it is a proficiency that can be employed in all aspects of life.

Common courtesy and etiquette are also elements of the game. If you look around you may noticed how sorely lacking this once expected behavior is lacking in our culture. A quick look at You Tube’s trending videos of violence and once unacceptable behavior will reveal how we as a culture are slowly degenerating. Golf requires social skills and civility. Players wait for others who are farthest from the hole to hit first. You are quiet when another playing is lining up a put, preparing a drive in tee-box, or setting up for a shot from the fairway. Carts are not taken near the green. Cart paths are not blocked by other carts. Sand traps are raked when the player has completed his shot so the next player has an even lie. Names are exchanged and introductions are in order if you are playing with people you haven’t met. There are many rules to play by, however, just knowing how to be sensitive to others and civic minded will get you asked back for another round with newly found friends on most courses throughout the world.

Honesty is very paramount on the course. You keep your own score and are usually not questioned as to the number of strokes you took to play the hole.  You find yourself in many positions where you could easily give yourself a better lie if you wanted to and make the shot easier for yourself. This however is not how the game is played. You are expected to keep an accurate score if a score is being kept and you should give notice if you are moving the ball or dropping a new one if your shot is lost or out of bounds.  Not all rounds are serious ones and scores are often not kept, however, the honesty factor is always there and it teaches one to be honest in life when nobody would ever know the difference. Needles to say, this is critical in life as well as on the course.

Although the game can be quite frustrating and challenges you not to break a club over your knee or throw your putter into a pond, negative displays of emotion are not appropriate on the course. No one likes a sore loser and no one needs to hear foul language or self deprecating comments when they are out on the course. We learn to control our emotions and move on to the next shot trying not to make the same mistakes again. Each shot is a learning experience. Each mistake is an opportunity to correct a flaw in the game. This, I say from experience, is one of the more difficult skills to learn. However, with a lot of practice keeping it all in, I am learning to be less vociferous and more focused on my game. I have learned to watch and listen more as I spend more time on the course. Observing and learning to listen carries over well in life and will serve those who learn to do so well in all aspects of life.

Golf is a great game for just about anybody regardless of age. It takes you to beautiful places throughout the world and teaches you how to focus on a task.  The exercise you get while playing will serve to strengthen your muscles and get you in better physical condition. You will make new friends and reconnect with old ones as well as learning lessons in common courtesy, civility and respect for others.

Fortunately for the residents of Port Jefferson Village, we have an outstanding and historic course at The Harbor Hills Golf Course, which overlooks Long Island Sound adjacent to . The course is rich in history, with a spectacular setting and an extremely professional staff headed by Bill Macedon, the golf pro at the club.  It would be a shame not to take advantage of it. See you out there.