Golfing for God...is that possible?

It finally happened. The snow melted off the golf course. If you live in the Midwest you know this has been a long winter season and those that love to golf have been polishing clubs or headed south to scratch the golf itch.



The question once again becomes, how can you take a sport like golf that millions have a passion for and turn it into something that can impact eternity in a positive way?


The answer is always invite Him into the day and be on purpose. You know if you've accepted Christ that the Holy Spirit lives within you every day. We are a living testimony with everything we say and do to those around us. Let's take the time and be on purpose about what our impact is and potentially can be. Because of the snow, it was April 30th before I had a chance to hit my first round of golf in the new year with the Senior Pastor of my church, and two other brothers in Christ I really enjoy fellowshipping with.


That first outing I talked with my pastor, Keith, on the way to the course about this article and asked had he ever thought about being on purpose for God while golfing. He nearly jumped at the chance to share as he also really likes the game and had thought about the very subject quite a bit.

Here are some thoughts he shared and my commentary to go along:

1. No matter what, the first part of the day always starts in prayer. Here is a simple one from our day:

Lord, thank you for the gift of this spring day and a chance to experience your creation. We invite you into our time of fellowship and if there's an opportunity or an appointment you have for us to share the great news of Jesus, please reveal that to us today. Thank you for our time of relaxation and sport. We pray that our actions and words might be pleasing to you. Please watch over our family as we are away from them, and thank you for the provision to be able to play this round of golf today. Amen.

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


2. Creation is all around you when you are on the course. Take the time to breathe and take in all that you see and experience that day. God's fingerprints are simply amazing to witness, and whether you are a scratch golfer or a weekend warrior, give thanks and gratitude for the wondrous world He has created.(I have never been so thankful for green grass until this year)



3. Pastor Keith made the wise quote that "Golf isn't a game that shapes character, it reveals it." (If you ever managed to take more than one shot to get out of a sand trap you might have found some insight into your own character).




One of the stories our good friend Bill told me that April outing was of a man he had witnessed last year on the 18th hole of the same course we were playing. On that last hole the man hit his ball into the water. It must have been a frustrating round as the he drove up to lake where the ball went in. He went around the back of the cart and instead of pulling the ball retriever, he pulled the entire bag of clubs and threw them in the lake. In disbelief Bill watched the man drive to the parking lot and then back down to the lake 5 minutes later. He took his shoes off, rolled up his pants, and retrieved the bag. He then proceeded to pull his car keys out of the side pocket and once again pitched the entire bag back into the lake.




While the event makes for a good story, what does is say about character? As we grow in our walk we will all make mistakes and have shortcomings, but what can you do to become more Christ like? The answers are throughout the Bible.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1 Timothy 6:11
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

4. Golf can be refreshing to the body and soul. As a pastor, Keith talks about how on the course he likes to unplug from the cell phone and pressures of the world. Now, I know some of you would like to use that reasoning on your spouses for more time on the course, but if you garnered the time away from work and your responsibilities ...make the most of it. Remember your responsibilities, but keep things balanced, unplug and take in the gift of time.



5. I would like to throw in a personal challenge for us all; Lose the potty mouth.
I am simply blown away these days by the language you hear coming out of the mouths of every age and gender. It doesn't help your golf and it makes for a lousy witness to those who may not know Christ. It is not about being "holier than thou" but letting the grace of a life born again in Christ shine through. Dare to be different in your language and remember what the scripture teaches:

Colossians 3:7-10
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.


6. My personal tip, Smile. In your interactions on the course, the clubhouse, the watering hole, gas station, or anywhere along the way you as a Christian represent the greatest story and gift every given. Let your smile and glow be infectious. Hold doors for others as you walk in. Thank the course attendants, clerks and servers using their names. Show the grace that has been given to you (no matter how close the 4some behind you drove the ball to you). You have already won in Christ before you step on the course, play golf on purpose for Him that created you so that others might be drawn to that same victory of salvation.




Here are some other ideas to consider being on purpose with your passion for the sport of Golf that will find all over the net:

1. Organize a local tournament for missions
Link to an Mission Tournament Example

2. Start your own fellowship Group like this one I found:

Golf and God Link


3. Imprint a Scripture on your golf ball to inspire you, possibly prompt others to ask a question, and if lost/found the new owner may be impacted.

5. Take a pastor golfing. The resources and time you have may make all the difference for pastor in need of some R&R and inspire you to write about it.

Some Links to others living out their faith on the Golf Course:


Tim Tebow, Ben Crane and Bubba Watson Bible Study Article Link



God and Golf on the PGA Tour article