Pivot

I love the idea of golfing. I love the clang of the clubs when I carry my bag. I savor the feel of my snug weathered glove as I wrangle it onto my hand. I am one with the club, as I gently but firmly ready my grip. Amazed by the sudden infusion of power surging up my forearm, down my spine, and through the soles of my feet as I shift my weight, pivoting on the green velvet below. The sensation of the warm breeze on my face, so invigorating. The smell of fresh cut grass, intoxicating. The “ping” of a perfect drive, electrifying. Eighteen chances to master perfection. Eighteen chances to admit defeat. And it all revolves around the pivot!

Why is pivoting such a crucial element? In golf, it allows for the transfer of rotational power needed to propel the ball forward. Maximizing distance on your drive. Without that pivot, the swing is restricted and the potential is lost, a drive’s death knell. To go the distance, you gotta be able to pivot.

Watching my mother’s amazing golf swing, her perfectly timed pivot, made me think. There’s a lot of energy harnessed in that little maneuver. Energy we all need to harness as we pivot through life. To be able to roll with the punches and change course mid stream. To shift forward while remaining grounded. To be able to prioritize how and when we expend our energy, when life’s occurrences take us down an unforeseen path. Finding ways to thrive in the life we have, rather than the life we had envisioned. The better we are at pivoting, the more we can harness that torque to propel us forward and go the distance.

Pivoting also requires strength and steadiness. One foot firmly remaining on the ground at all times, allowing stability while other aspects change. Without that central axis staying grounded, the change that is needed is more difficult. We all need a stabilizing force when faced with adversity. Whether it is relying on others or fortifying our own internal scaffolding to carry ourselves through crises, that strength and steadiness is imperative. Self-doubt, fear and anxiety can easily erode our pivot point. Immobilize us. On the other hand, a healthy dose of self doubt can evolve into more courage. Fear can protect us from harm. And anxiety can sometimes energize us towards needed change. So, I constantly remind myself not to loathe these seemingly negative forces from within, but rather thank them for their protective nature. Just knowing how they can rob me of essential momentum is huge. That central axis is pivotal to a nice long drive!

Let’s all try to practice our pivoting as we go from hole to hole. Knowing full well that some days will be full swing ahead, while others may just be “par for the course”. All the while, allowing for plenty of mulligans (do-overs) while envisioning PGA glory.

But in the end, what really matters is finding joy along the way. In the great words of Betty Cunningham, the undefeated women’s and men’s Quail Creek Country Club Champion for 17 consecutive years…

“We sure had fun, didn’t we?”