Student Voices: Drive for Show. Putt for Dough.

By Gordon Smith

This weekend was the third, and penultimate, weekend of the Rites and Rituals Scotland, Ceremonialist training programme. And I followed it up today with the last in a series of winter golf lessons, designed to get me ready for the season ahead.

On the face of it, there doesn’t seem to be much of a link between conducting a ceremony, or holding space, and holding and swinging a golf club. But you’d be wrong. At least in my head!

Yesterday afternoon, my fellow R&R students and I, each conducted a mock marriage ceremony, incorporating a variety of rituals, including Handfasting, Oathing Stones, Quaich’s, and Caims. Of course, being able to see and practice these rituals was invaluable, but so too was the instruction and advice to “get out of your own way”.

But what does that mean? Well, my takeaway from it was the imperative to let it flow and not be too scripted. Sure, when reading a couple’s “story” you are unlikely to memorise, or freestyle, it and vows, and the words used at the exchange of rings, need to absolutely perfect. But for the other elements, the ones the couples have chosen to include, everyone, including us, benefits from them being as natural as possible. Believing, and living, them rather than simply reading them.  

Still not sure how that relates to golf? Well, the tee shot, or drive, is one of the most practiced shots in golf. There’s even a whole industry called Driving Ranges where those seeking to improve their game go and hit ball after ball in the hope of hitting it straighter of further, or both.

Yes, it does help to get the ball on the fairway, but on a standard 18 hole course, you are only ever likely to get your driver out on say 14 or 15 tees. The vast majority of any players’ shots, regardless of standard, are hit between tee and green, and on the green. In particular, the ones around, and on, the green are where the difference between good, bad, and bloody awful, is established.

Like ceremony, these shots require touch and feel; the ability to read the green and adjust the shot to meet the conditions. They are not shots to be rushed. These are the money shots. These are the shots that people remember.

Next time you see a sport’s report on TV, pay attention to any clips used. You won’t see many tee shots, but you will see plenty of incredible putts or recovery shots from a ridiculous lie just off the green. Yes, the basis of them is still technique and level of competence, but each will be special because of the feel and touch employed. Notice too, how it looks smooth and effortless.

The comparison is just as true, I think, in a wider sense too. There’s lots of planning goes into a wedding day; choosing the venue, deciding on outfits, menus, and who sits where, but the real “money shots” are in the ceremony. These are the pictures; physical, electronic, or mental, that everyone will review for years to come.