The Mentor | #54 | In
Each month, I share 3 things I’ve read on skills, careers, and personal development.
“Golf is a game of inches. The most important are the six inches between your ears.” – Arnold Palmer
On traditional Scottish golf courses, the layout often follows a simple pattern: the first nine holes play “out” and the back nine play “in.” These terms originally described the direction of play relative to the clubhouse—starting outward and returning inward.
For some reason, I think I’ve always believed/hoped that I would live until 100. So, if this life were a round of golf, I’d say I’m beginning the “back nine.” Just like in golf, the back nine is about learning from the front nine and most importantly, finishing strong. Here are the things I’ll keep in mind on this back nine.
Hole 10: Take the Next Shot
No matter what happened on the front nine, the next shot is all that matters. Focus forward.
Hole 11: Stay Patient
The back nine can test endurance. Life, like golf, rewards those who stay calm under pressure. People rarely remember what you’ve done, but often remember how you made them feel (especially when stakes are high).
Hole 12: Play My Own Game
Comparison is the thief of joy. Focus on strengths, not someone else’s scoreboard.
Hole 13: Fix Mistakes
In golf, you repair your divots and ball marks. In life, own mistakes, learn, and move on.
Hole 14: Enjoy the Walk
The views on the back nine are often the best. Pause, look around, and appreciate the journey.
Hole 15: Know When to Lay Up
Not every shot needs to be heroic. Sometimes, playing it safe is the smartest choice. And, other times, you have to go for it. Either way, have conviction.
Hole 16: Ask for Help
In golf, a caddie provides guidance. In life, mentors, friends, and family can do the same.
Hole 17: Finish What You Start
The back nine is where rounds are won or lost. Stay focused and finish strong. Being a lifelong learner is instrumental to finishing anything you start.
Hole 18: Celebrate the Round
When you walk off the 18th green, what will you remember? Savor the moments that matter most. Enjoy it, regardless of the outcome.
1
Fluid intelligence is your ability to process new information, learn and solve problems, while crystallized intelligence is the ability to use a stock of knowledge learned in the past.
2
It’s silly to try to escape other people’s faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own.
3
The ultimate competitive advantage is having the discipline to keep going when others quit. Show up, do the work, and go home.
Such a thoughtful reflection on life’s second half! Love the reminder that the back nine isn’t just about finishing ,it’s about finishing well. Which lesson has made the biggest difference for you so far?
“Drive for show, putt for dough.” In golf and in life, very often it’s the little things that make the biggest difference in the outcomes.