But what I soon found out is that golf has a sneaky way of adding a little bit of exercise to your life. And that’s great for those of us that hate to take time out to exercise.

On a side note, I would encourage everyone to walk course once in a while. Here is what I suggest to my students who are golf newbie’s: After playing a year or two, instead of trying to back up from white tees to blue, try to walk more this year and wait until next year to back up to blue tees.

Fun

When I play golf I have a great time.

Fellowship with friends or being paired up with someone I don’t know and making new friendships is another awesome benefit golf has to offer.

And there is nothing more exciting than dropping an approach shot next to pin, sinking a monster putt, or smashing a long drive in front of your playing partners.

These are some of reasons I play, but I think it is very important to figure out why you are out slapping balls around too.

Figuring out purpose of golf in your life can only make you a better golfer... let me explain:

When I started off playing, I was not that good, as I'm sure many of you weren't. That being said, I would get so frustrated at poor shots, missed putts, doubles and triples, and double pars. And most of time I would act like a complete fool. I would get frustrated to no end... slamming my clubs down, or throwing them, and it was a given that I would be ticked off rest of day.

I can't imagine what I must of looked like, probably an imbecile. There are guys that I'm playing with that are 20-30 strokes better than me, but I'm one acting like an idiot. And there is no doubt in my mind that this foolish behavior and mindset totally stunted my growth as a baby golfer.

Then I realized, only way to learn and get better is to play purpose-driven golf... even if only purpose for my next round was strictly just to have fun.

What I would like for you to do before next time you go play a round is ask yourself "Why am I going out today?"

If you keep a focus through your round that: I am out here to have fun or I am out here to hang out with my friends or I am out here to get healthy and be physically active or I am out here to feel like I accomplished something today... then you will have that reason and not let your mind run aimlessly with emotion.

I'm sure some of you old-timers have learned this over years (and by way I would love to hear from you if you have a relative story dave@thedaveway.com). This is usually why if you have hit a round with a person that has played for years... they may not have talent that you do... but they can score right with you or sometimes beat snot out of you.

Let poor shots go away, let good shots not get you too emotionally high... just learn from each swing!