Golf as a Spiritual Practice: Where Science and Soul Unite

Soaking Up Serenity

When people think of spiritual practices, they usually picture meditation, yoga, or a quiet walk through nature. But for many of us, there’s another space where we connect with something deeper—something beyond swing mechanics and scorecards: the golf course.

Golf is more than a game. It’s a sacred space for silence, self-awareness, surrender, and growth. It teaches us about the present moment, challenges our ego, and rewards inner stillness just as much as outer skill.

1. Golf as Moving Meditation 

“The rhythm of the game, the quiet between shots, the walk through nature—it’s all a kind of meditation.” – Annika Sörenstam

Studies show that walking in nature reduces cortisol levels, boosts mood, and increases feelings of vitality. A 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychology confirmed that just 20 minutes in a natural setting significantly lowers stress hormones. Golf courses—especially those that emphasize a walking game—offer the perfect setting for these benefits.

The repetitive, focused movements of the golf swing can mimic the effects of mindfulness meditation. According to Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), “Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” Sound familiar? That’s exactly what golf demands of us.

2. Ego, Patience, and the Practice of Letting Go

“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots—but you have to play the ball where it lies.” – Bobby Jones

Golf doesn’t just invite humility—it requires it. No matter how well we plan or how good we feel over the ball, the game has a way of humbling us. And that’s part of what makes it spiritual.

Letting go of control, expectations, and judgment is a spiritual discipline found in nearly every tradition. Golf gives us real-time feedback on how well we’re doing with that. Are we clinging to a bad hole? Are we chasing a score? Are we trying to muscle a shot instead of trusting our rhythm?

3. Presence Over Perfection

“You can’t play golf well unless you are fully present. The game exposes distraction, doubt, and overthinking in an instant.” – Dr. Joseph Parent, Zen Golf

Research from Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer shows that present-moment awareness not only improves performance but also increases joy. In golf, this leads to better shot execution when we’re “in the zone” and not overanalyzing mechanics mid-swing.

Flow state—the optimal psychological experience described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi—is common in athletes. Golf offers one of the most unique arenas to achieve this state through rhythm, ritual, and quiet focus. When you’re in flow, time slows down, self-consciousness disappears, and action feels effortless. That’s not just performance—it’s transcendence. 

4. Connection Beyond the Scorecard

“Some of the best conversations with God happen on a quiet fairway at sunrise.” – Unknown

Whether you believe in God, the universe, or simply the power of human connection, golf offers sacred moments that feel bigger than the game. It’s the way the morning light filters through the trees, the shared silence with a playing partner, or the feeling of being a small part of something beautiful and vast.

Golf courses are some of the last places in modern life where we’re unreachable—where phones stay off, time slows down, and we can simply be. 

Final Thoughts: The Soul of the Game

Golf is frustrating. It’s demanding. It can be maddening. But it’s also magical.

It invites us to grow, to surrender, and to show up fully in every moment. It teaches grace, patience, forgiveness—and maybe most of all, perspective.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir

Maybe that’s the spiritual secret of golf: it disguises itself as a game, but it’s really a teacher. 

Wise Takeaways: 

Golf is a natural mindfulness practice—each shot asks for full presence and acceptance. Science supports golf’s spiritual benefits—lower stress, better mood, and enhanced focus. Golf mirrors life’s biggest spiritual lessons—impermanence, surrender, ego, and growth. The soul shows up when the scorecard fades away—watch for the sunrise, not just the score.

With love and gratitude, from the forward tees - Coach Heidi