One Swing Philosophy — What Golf Taught Me About Life

There is a common belief that money allows us to do what we want. But in reality, money often works in the opposite way. It gives us the freedom not to do what we don’t want. Not to go where we don’t belong. Not to stay where we feel uncomfortable. Not to compromise our values just to survive. That alone changes everything. Money is not just a tool for consumption. It quietly becomes a sponsor of our mental state. When your financial ground is stable, your mind is no longer pulled in ten different directions. You can focus. You can stay present. You can choose. And that is where real performance begins. Think about a single golf shot. To stay committed to one swing, your mind needs to be calm, steady, and undistracted. But if your life outside the course is unstable— if money is constantly pulling at your thoughts— that calm doesn’t exist. The swing may look the same, but the mind behind it is completely different. Yes, sometimes golf or small moments of hap...

Some mornings feel like an entire day. Today was one of them. I started the morning by walking my two dogs. It was a peaceful way to begin the day. Then I met a friend at the driving range. As we had planned, we practiced together before brunch. The best part was that I rediscovered the rhythm of my full swing. That alone made me happy. Later, I met another close friend at Tomorrow Café. We enjoyed a delicious brunch with a beautiful ocean view and agreed that it has the best view and the nicest interior among the cafés we've visited. Our conversation wasn't about shopping or travel. Instead, we laughed while talking about weeds, grass trimmers, and taking care of our tree lands. Since we both manage our own small fields, we understood each other perfectly. Sometimes, the most ordinary conversations become the most enjoyable ones. Then came the funniest moment of the day. One of my golf friends called me. She said, "I think the putter inside my putter cover i...

One Swing Philosophy – A Journey of Healing (Part 3/3) When I was younger, I thought people became wiser as they grew older. Later, I believed something different. I thought people simply became more fixed in their ways. I imagined that once I reached my 60s, my philosophy of life would never change again. I was wrong. At 60, I have been surprised by my own heart. Instead of becoming harder, I have become softer. Instead of becoming more cynical, I have become more hopeful. The warmth and innocence I thought I had lost many years ago have quietly returned. That has been one of the biggest surprises of my life. Golf helped me understand why. When I lose my natural rhythm, I try to control every shot. My swing becomes tight, and the game stops being enjoyable. But when I trust my swing again, I don't become a different golfer. I simply return to my natural rhythm. Perhaps our hearts are the same. Healing doesn't always create a new person. Sometimes, healing brings us back to the...

One Swing Philosophy – A Journey of Healing (Part 2/3) For a long time, I believed that good people were rare. After being disappointed many times, I stopped expecting too much from relationships. I wasn't angry. I was simply tired. So I chose a quieter life. I spent more time with myself, my two dogs, and golf. Without realizing it, I was learning something important. I was learning how to enjoy my own company. Little by little, I became emotionally independent. I no longer needed someone else to make me feel complete. Then something unexpected happened. This year, I started meeting kind and thoughtful people. At first, I wondered, "Did people suddenly become kinder?" I don't think so. Maybe they were always there. The difference was me. As my heart became healthier, I could finally recognize them. Golf reminds me of this lesson every time I play. When my swing loses its rhythm, every hole looks difficult. I force my shots, make poor decisions, and lose confidence. B...

One Swing Philosophy – A Journey of Healing (Part 1/3) For many years, I slowly gave up expecting too much from people. When I was younger, I trusted people easily. I believed that kindness would naturally be returned. But life taught me something different. Like many people, I experienced disappointment. Sometimes I was appreciated only when I was the one giving help, support, or time. After several painful experiences, I stopped believing that I would find many truly good relationships. So I made a different choice. I stopped looking for people. Instead, I spent more time with myself, my two dogs, and golf. At first, I thought I was simply protecting myself. Now I realize I was also healing. Golf quietly taught me an important lesson. When I try too hard to force a perfect shot, my swing loses its rhythm. The harder I try, the worse my swing becomes. Relationships can be similar. When we feel lonely, we naturally want someone to fill that empty space. But I don't think loneliness...

I’ve come to believe something simple: What we hold clearly in our minds often finds its way into our lives. This feels especially true in golf. Whether someone is just discovering the game, learning their first swing, or competing as a professional, every golfer carries a quiet dream. A perfect shot. A more consistent swing. A round played with confidence. A course they hope to play someday. Long before any of those things happen, they begin as thoughts. A picture in the mind. A small plan. A quiet promise to oneself. And somehow, over time, many of those thoughts become real. I’ve seen this in my own life. When I first moved to Jeju Island , many things didn’t seem to align. The timing wasn’t perfect. The circumstances weren’t ideal. Even financially, there were moments when it didn’t seem easy. But quietly, I kept one thought in my mind: One day, I will play every golf course in Jeju. I never said it loudly. I simply kept carrying that thought with me. And now,...