Hole 10, Par 4, 388 yards...

Hole #10

Hole number 10 on this course is beautiful like the rest.

The clubhouse is set on a hill/plateau, so the #10 green is set downhill from the Tee box.

It is a straight shot from the Tee box to the flag on the green.

This hole has a very tight fairway. By tight fairway, I mean its actual fairway at one point is 20 yards wide. In addition this hole has very thick rough (deep grass) on either side with trees lining the full length until they open up at the green.

Well the Tee shot was a slice (straight out about 230 yards then a sharp right turn about 30 yards.)

Now more golfing options....

...The MULLIGAN

As defined: (retaken golf shot) - a shot that, against the rules, a golfer allows an opponent to take again.

Weekend golfers may have an unwritten rule where they allow each other one mulligan on the front nine and another on the back nine.
In fundraising tournaments, they sell mulligans to make money for their cause.
I mean seriously who wouldn't want a "do-over" every now and then? But even when you play that way you have to make sure not to use it too early, you must choose wisely.

Well, no "do-overs" here. We'll play it where it lies (see hole #5).

Our choice here is to punch it out to the fairway.

In life there are "do-overs"as we go...or better yet --FORGIVENESS.

During our lives, we screw up.

We make mistakes.

As Christians we have forgiveness in/through Christ, once we repent and turn from that sin.

Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

That is comforting. As Christians we understand that we are not perfect, in many cases (mine) far from it, but we rest in His grace.

There is enough (GRACE) for us and the whole human race" DCB

We learn from those mistakes, repent of them, move forward and grow in grace and the love that abounds in Christ.

1 John 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

Hebrews 10:25-27 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

We have forgiveness in Christ, if we are in Christ (have a relationship with Him).

If we're not in a relationship with Christ, but we know all about Him and His sacrifice....then we have made our choice.
There is only one way to happiness in the end.

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

There are no mulligans for those apart from Christ after death.

No "do-overs".

Choose wisely.

Better yet, work and train yourself not to rely or lean on the mulligan.

Set the example!

1 Timothy 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.


Well after we punched it back on the fairway, it was a short chip on the green and a putt for Birdie.
Sometimes we want to take a mulligan, but if we learn to play it where it lays it will better develop our game (character) and all in all probably help us more later on this course.

This hole started off a little shaky, but worked out OK.


On the way to #11

Making the turn....

Making the turn.
Generally means you are through 9 holes and making the turn at the clubhouse. This provides you with an excellent opportunity to grab some refreshment before heading to the 10th Tee.

Well 9 holes down...
perfect day...
great weather...
and even par.

Now it is time for REFRESHMENTS!!! (My favorite...if it has sugar, I'm there)

We will stop and get something to drink, maybe a candy bar or energy bar for a burst of energy and then on to #10.
The turn is a great time to take a pause and mentally take a rest, compose yourself and get back your focus for the rest of the course.

There are refreshments on the course as well. There are food carts that carry everything on them from drinks to candy or chips...some even have sandwiches.
Those carts are for us high metabolism people who seem to have a hollow leg and need constant nourishment (or just like to eat all the time).
Be careful though...Sometimes we can eat too much or even the wrong thing and it might turn that "pick me up" to a "weigh me down" and have an upsetting effect (not that i have ever experienced that). So don't overdo it.

In life I think that God will send those refreshment carts along. It can come in the form of people or situations.
God sends people in our paths with His truth and love.
They have God's truth in them and they speak it and share it, but sometimes we're too busy to take the time for the refreshment.

There are also clubhouses at the turn as well. Not really clubhouses (although it might be questionable for some) but more appropriately, churches. They are those places at the turn. Right before Monday and right after Saturday.
A place for refreshment.
A place to refocus.
A place to belong.

Make sure you have that in your life.
Make sure you are getting that refreshment or nourishment on a regular basis.

Find a place that feeds you and loves you out on the course (community) and in the clubhouse because we all need that to continue to "play at our best".

Take the full effect of His refreshment, you can't overdo this one.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Be refreshment to those around you as well.

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.


Well that was great...

Now on to #10, Par 4, 388 yards...

Hole 9, Par 4, 401 yards...

Hole #9

Beautiful hole. Short Par 4 up towards the clubhouse. Green is surrounded by a waterfall and pond. Hole plays mostly uphill, which will make it play longer.
We have had a great round so far so let's cap the front nine score with a good showing on this beautiful hole.

The 9th hole, by now you could be getting a little tired as it has been almost two hours on the course.

You could also be a little frustrated by your score and current skill level.

The good thing about #9 is it will play into (towards) the clubhouse. So after you finish this hole you can get a drink, maybe a bite to eat, and get your focus and energy back.

By now if this is your first time out, (or you're one of those people I referred to earlier in the round that didn't think that golf was, in fact, a sport) you are probably a little tired.
You may have thought all you needed to do was go buy some "sticks" and go hit a little white ball and drive around in the cart all day.

NEWS FLASH...owning golf clubs does not make you a golfer. In the same way owning a basketball does not make you Michael Jordan, or having a tree in your backyard does not make you a forest ranger.

You might look like a golfer, but playing takes effort, it takes focus, it takes discipline.
Just because you own the clubs, maybe the shoes, maybe you are even great playing it on the Wii or Xbox 360, but you are not a "golfer" till you hit the course.

Similar things happen in the church today. People show up to church on Sundays, but what do they do on the other six days of the week?
Do our actions show we went to church?
Do others see it?

You might "look" like a Christian, but it takes action on your part. You have to accept the gift...

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Emphasis added.

It would be quite easy to go to church and talk a good game on Sundays....but quite another to head out on the "course" Monday - Saturday and show it.
It was once said, "It is easy to talk the talk, but quite different to walk the walk."

Being a Christian, following the narrow road (Matthew 7:13-14), everyday takes sacrifice. We have to willingly look towards Christ with every action and thought.

2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Does that mean we will be popular? ...probably not.

Does that mean our life will be easy? ...probably not.

Does that mean we will have to sacrifice and be persecuted from time to time? ...Absolutely YES!

Look at the sacrifice of the rich young ruler....

The sacrifice to him was too great.

Matthew 19:16-22 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,'and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"
"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.


Was it too much? NO WAY. He gave up eternity for 60 or 70 years here on Earth. What a shame.

So what must we do? We must be on the "course" (narrow road), we must do our best, we must mirror Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Let's all be dilligent. Let's walk the walk and the talking will take care of itself.

Awesome hole! On the green in two (barely...almost rolled off the green in the drink). Long birdie putt was good. Nice front nine. Even after nine.

Let's hit the clubhouse...then on to #10

Hole 8, Par 4, 449 yards...

Hole #8

Hole #8 is a challenging Par 4. You can't hit a driver off the tee because that will put you in the creek that is about 250-270 yards out. So we will hit a "hybrid" or a 4 iron to get us a good second shot.

Now on to our "short game". The "short game" is roughly defined as anything inside 150-180 yards. Generally you will use a high iron (8 or 9) to a wedge. In general, in the "short game" you are not too concerned with trees (assuming you are in the fairway). The only issues/hazards would be sand, and in some cases, water.

When you get into the "short game" area of the game, you have to put the "length" of the hole behind you and now you need to focus on the accuracy of the shot.
A good "short game" is very critical to a good round of golf and most people struggle with it. The "short game" has a lot to do with accuracy and placement. You want to be on the green with this shot and as close to the pin as possible. This shot will determine how difficult your putt will be or if you will even get to putt at all on the next shot.

It all boils down to choosing the right club, lining up the shot, concentrating, hitting the shot and following through.

So you might be asking how the "short game" could ever have life application in it.
I will start off with YOUR "short game".
Here is an easy question, How many people do you deal with or better yet are in your circle of influence, every day?
You and I alike are called to reflect Christ, to share Christ with the world.

Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Some view that as a call for the "missionaries" of the world. But if you read the scripture, it does apply to the "missionaries" of the world...you and me.
WE are CALLED to make disciples, to share Christ.

So how is your "short game"?

How well are you reflecting Christ to those around you on a daily basis?

Proverbs 14:15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

How many of us lack the "follow-through" in our short game to do and to "be" all that God has for us?
In our circle of influence are we different than those who are apart from Christ? ...or do we retell "that" joke or forward that email? Do we walk away from unhealthy conversations? Are our lives in contrast to the lost?
Do we have bite? ..or are we bland?

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

Do we focus and follow-through? Do we even have our bearings on the goal and line up right? Do we concentrate (do we have a quiet time?). Is it evident?

Some of us need to focus more on our "short game". Let's all make sure we have the right "tools" so when it comes to the "short game" we can keep it in play and get us all closer to the target.

That was a fun hole. Thankfully we played it well and had a two putt for par. Still one over for the round, but we're having a blast and enjoying this course.

On to hole #9...