Golf is one of those sports that can bring sheer enjoyment one moment and in another instance so much frustration, that you question why you’re playing in the first place. One of things that we often overlook or are not aware of is the life lessons we can takeaway from playing this game and how it applies to our everyday lives.
Jeff Ritter, the author of Your Kid Ate a Divot! 2010 PGA Merchandise Show
When I was visiting the Sligo Wear booth at the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, I ran into this guy holding a book with a funny book title, Your Kid Ate A Divot! Eighteen Life Lessons from the Links. I was automatically intrigued by the funny title of this book and I had to learn more. This is how I met Jeff Ritter one of the world’s most prominent golf instructors known for his unique coaching style that incorporates creative concepts from all walks of life to help teach that crazy game of golf to his students.
About Your Kid Ate a Divot!
In his book Jeff tells a humorous collection of tales sure to add inspiration to your game and your life! These true stories deliver the valuable life lessons within the game in a manner never seen in the world of golf. You’ll find yourself thinking about how these lessons not only apply to the game of golf, but in your personal life or career for that matter. I was really amazed by the level of insight and how simple some of the lessons were.
The book is broken up into 19 Chapters or holes on a golf course and each hole starts out with a story related to the chapter, followed by Jeff’s insight called Ritter’s Tip. For example, in chapter 3 (referenced as 3rd Hole in the book) Whistle While You Work. The story is about a student who wanted to become a good golfer and was taking lessons from Jeff.
When we are learning something new, it takes time for it sink-in and repeat consistently. So when the golfer would struggle with hitting his shots, he would simply begin to whistle his favorite tune to loosen up. After doing this, the golfer would begin hitting his golf shots consistently again. Ritter’s Tip for this is called Letting Go.
Learning to Let Go
We’ve all been there when we become frustrated and get all in our head, because we can’t hit a shot, etc. Letting Go, is the key to mentally freeing up your mind and relaxing your body so you can execute. And Whistling is a great way of doing it, because it distracts you, but also puts you in a different frame of mind. This is something I plan on trying out and doing more often, when things don’t go the way you expect them too.
As you read the other chapters titled, “The Duck of Death,” “Squirrel Boy,” and yes…..a kid who really ate a divot, you will experience a new found enthusiasm for the game and the uplifting messages a life on the links brings! What you’ll also get from reading this book is a genuine sense of who Jeff Ritter is as an instructor and a person. Which in my opinion is not easy to do.
At only 176 pages, Your Kid Ate A Divot is quick and enjoyable read, that will leave you wanting more great stories and life lessons. I know that’s how I felt after finishing the book. Hopefully, Jeff will write a sequel, because I’m sure there are more than 18 lessons we can learn from golf.
Overall, Your Kid Ate A Divot! Eighteen Life Lessons from the Links is in my opinion one of the best golf books I’ve read in quite sometime. The book will resonate with golfers of all abilities and you’ll come away looking at the game differently and more aware of yourself.
Your Kid Ate A Divot! Eighteen Life Lessons from the Links $14.95
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