CHAMPIONS KEEP IT SIMPLE

"…the simplicity that is in Christ."  (2 Corinthians 11:3b, KJV)

I grew up on a golf course in Twin Falls, Idaho. My dad was the caretaker. Our old stone house sat adjacent to a small putting green which was in our backyard. When I wanted to play three holes of golf before I caught the morning school bus, I could walk out the side door right onto the first tee. The third hole came back to the opposite side of the first tee.

I picked up my first club when I was four. I never remember the game being difficult, even when playing in my first men's golf tournament at age 10. My older brother, Marion Hiskey, whom we called "Sonny," told me: "Take the club back slow and keep your eye on the ball." That was the only lesson I received until I got to college.

Beginning my freshman year at the University of Houston, I started hearing about how difficult the game of golf was. Now I was supposed to take the club back low as well as slow. Not pick it up. And on and on.

It didn't take me long before I fell victim to a common disease of golfers: Paralysis. Due to excessive analysis.

If you are a golfer, you know about it.

My first job as a golf professional was at Champions Golf Club in Houston. Jackie Burke and Jimmy Demaret, both Houstonians and Masters Champions were my bosses. I had a loop in my backswing that seemed incurable, and I hounded them for help. Jackie was always accommodating. But I could never get Jimmy's attention. I must have worn him down because one day he said, "Okay, you win." He motioned me outside.

As I was warming up on the practice tee, Jimmy strolled out of the pro shop and waved me to the half acre putting green. My heart dropped. I wanted him to help me with my swing. But who am I to complain? I thought. A putting lesson from a legend--okay, great, maybe he’ll still come to the range.

I hurried to my bag, grabbed my putter, three Titleists and an 8-iron. He might help me with my chipping too, I thought.

I threw down the balls onto the green. "Jimmy, come here a minute," he said to me before I had stroked a putt. "You are not going to need those balls."

My heart dropped again.

"Look at me," he said.

"Yes, sir?" I spoke as politely as I knew how. He glared into my eyes.

"Keep it simple."

He smiled, turned around and walked back toward the clubhouse.

My jaw banged my Adam's apple. That was 49 years ago.

I've never received a better golf lesson.

After his win at The Players, Phil Mickelson sure knows the benefits of a simple game.

As believers, we are heirs to the beautiful "simplicity that is in Christ." I like how J. B. Phillips paraphrases this verse of Scripture: "I am afraid that your minds may be seduced from a single-hearted devotion to him by the same subtle means the serpent used toward Eve."

Help me, Lord Jesus, not to be seduced by a myriad of concerns that would draw me away from simple, single-hearted devotion to You.

--

Jim Hiskey

May 21, 2007

Copyright 2007 Links Players International

The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.