Opinion
By Judge John Marshall Meisburg, Jr., 12-7-25
The game of golf is the greatest sport ever invented, and in many ways is a lot like life. And, it holds many spiritual lessons for all of us.
Lesson #1 is “Keep your eye on the ball.” When you swing it is very important to keep your eye on the ball to make solid contact. In life, you need to keep your eye on the ball. Always focus on the most important thing, which is faith in Jesus Christ, and eternal life. The Apostle Paul said I keep my eyes on the prize. Philippians 3:14.
Lesson #2 is keep your head down. It is very important in golf to keep your head down and focused on the ball until you strike it. If you look up too soon (to see the flight of the ball) you will not make good contact and hit a lousy shot. Pride goes before a fall. In life as well, we need to keep our head down and stay humble, and stay focused on the task, not upon a great outcome. James 4:6; Luke 14:11.
Lesson #3 is pride goes before a fall. Don’t look up until you have hit the ball. And if you do well on one hole do not take major chances on the next hole! A friend of mine made an eagle on one hole and then got a 9 on the next hole because he became overconfident and took a risky chance of cutting the corner of the fairway over water! In life, pride also goes before a fall. Proverbs 16:18.
Lesson #4 is there is wisdom in many counselors. A lesson from a pro golfer is very helpful. A pro can tell you in 10 minutes what you are doing wrong. Practice does not make perfect if you keep making the same mistake on the driving range. In life as well, we need to ask for help from a pro in many areas to assist us. Pride and habit keep us from asking for help and it perpetuates
mistakes. Be humble enough to ask for help! Doctors, lawyers, and pastors are counselors! In golf and in life, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing every time and expecting a better result! The Bible says there is wisdom in many counselors. Proverbs 11:14.; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 24:6; Proverbs 12:15.
Lesson #5 is forget the past and focus on the present and future. In golf, Ben Hogan said that the most important shot in golf is the next one! If you hit a bad shot, just forget it, and focus on the next one. Control your emotions and avoid anger. Scramble and still make a par or bogie. Forget the past, and move forward with courage to the future. In life, Paul says to forgetting what lies behind, I focus on the goal ahead. Philippians 3:13-14.
Lesson #6 is to play your ball where it lies and do not cheat. If you hit a bad shot, take a few Trump mulligans but be honest. Improve your lie (no pun intended) if the rules allow! In life as well, do not cheat or lie. Truth is always more powerful than lies; I have seen that as a judge in the courtroom. The Bible tells us in the Ten Commandments to be truthful. Exodus 20:16.
Lesson #7 is do not pay attention to the gallery. In golf, people watching can make you nervous and hit a bad shot. In life, that can happen as well. But, what others think of you is none of your business. Your focus should be on pleasing God, not man. Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4.
Lesson #8 is don’t think too much when you swing, just get into a good rhythm of muscle memory. As Yogi Berra once said “You cannot think and hit at the same time.” In life as well, do not overthink everything you do. Just follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and move forward. As Davey Crockett once said “Make sure you are right, then go ahead.”
Lesson #9 is play early in the morning, to avoid the rush and have peace on the course, and pray before every shot. Enjoy the beauty and quiet of the morning. The dew on the grass is great, but it does make greens play slow! Play by yourself for great peace. In life, start your day early in prayer like Jesus, who arose early and went to a lonely and quiet place to pray. Mark 1:35.
Lesson #10 is that golf is, at base, an individual sport. You are competing against yourself. It is a lot of fun to play with friends, and you can develop friendships and even make business deals on the golf course. But you should always seek to play the game more skillfully to make it worthwhile. Play to have fun, but also play to do better and win. Life is similar. Have fun and be sociable and love people. But you will stand before God alone and give an account for your life. Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Lesson #11 is that a good follow through in your swing is very important. Swing through the ball do not just hit it. In life as well, it is very important to follow through on your projects and commitments. Matthew 21:28-31; James 1:22; Luke 14:28-30.
Lesson #12 is to be diligent about your game and work hard to get better. Self-discipline is key. Play at least twice a week, or you lose skills and muscle memory.In life as well, diligence and hard work leads to success and prosperity. Proverbs 21:5; Proverbs 12:27.
Lesson #13 is enjoy the game of golf and have fun but do not take the game too seriously or become obsessed or make it an idol! Gary Player said do not play too much golf – 3 rounds a day is enough! LOL. Some people love golf so much that they make it an idol in their life and play everyday. That is too much! In life, have fun but be balanced. God wants you to enjoy your life. Jesus said He came to give us life and life more abundantly. John 10:10. God wants us to appreciate and enjoy our family, friends, and the beauty of nature, all of which He created. Genesis 1:29-30; 2 Peter 1-2. But we are also commanded by God in the Ten Commandments to have no other gods before Him. Exodus 20:1-17.
Lesson #14 is do not drink beer or alcohol when you play. Golf is hard enough when you are sober, and being high can bring bad results! The same is true in life. God says “Do not be drunk with wine, but be filled the Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18. “Wine is a mocker, and strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1.
Lesson #15 is do not make excuses for your mistakes but own them. Don’t say I made a bad shot because a bird flew over, or the club was bad. And in life, admit your mistakes and move forward. Proverbs 28:13. “A person who refuses to admit mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes those mistakes, another chance is given.”
Lesson #16 is to make a long slow backswing, pause at the of your swing, and then accelerate through the ball. In life you need to stop and think before you act, and then take dramatic action.” Proverbs 19:2 “Do not be hasty and miss the way.” Proverbs 21:5: “One who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
Lesson #17 is that your drive off the teen is a total different swing than your shot off the fairway. In life, you need to relate to every person in a different way. You need to be all things to all people to share the Gospel effectively. 1 Corinthians 9:22.
Lesson #18 is that good putting can help you shoot in the 70s. You “drive for show and putt for dough.” In life as well, little things really count. Luke 16:10: “Be faithful in small things and then you can be trusted with larger things.”
Lesson #19 is do not be afraid of water holes or sand traps. Just play your game and go for the flag! In life, faith is more important than fear. Do not let fear stop you. God says to be strong and courageous! Some 365 times (once for every day) the Bible says Do Not be Afraid! Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 31:6; John 14:27.
Lesson #20 is to pray before every shot, especially the hard ones. Once I was playing a 20 foot downhill putt with a big break, and I said “Jesus help me”, and sank the putt to the amazement of my friend. In life, pray before you do everything! 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing!”
Lesson #21: when you hit a bad shot take a “Trump Mulligan” or do-over or second chance. In life, we get many “mulligans” or second chances from God due to His great love and mercy. Micah 7:18: “God delights to show mercy.” God gives us many chances. 1 John 1:7-9; Jonah Chapter 3.
Lesson #22 is to finish strong. Walk down the 18th fairway with courage and pride. Make a par on the last hole! In life, when you are walking down the 18th Fairway of life, all the saints and angels will be cheering you on, as you make a big finish of the race of life and enter Heaven. Hebrews 12:1; 2 Timothy 4:7.
Judge John Marshall Meisburg, Jr. is a retired judge and practicing attorney in Nassau County
The views expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Citizens Journal Florid
