Golf & Kung Fu

I was reading Mr. Sands blog regarding golf a couple of weeks ago.  It was an interesting read and this year I have played more golf than I have ever played in the last couple of years.  However this past Friday was the first time that I realized the connection between the two.

First off to be really good at either you need to practice and or train a lot and more importantly consistently.  Secondly both require a large amount of mental training/discipline.  Many times have I said "nine holes aren't enough and 18 is too many.  They need to make a 13 hole course".  The reason that I have said this is not that I'm tired physically but it's the mental side of the game that is hard to maintain through 18 holes of golf.

Finally the last and the most important similarity would have to be the six harmonies.  Shoulders & hips, elbows & knees & hands and feet all are important in both golf and Kung Fu.  I played with a guy that was the same size and make up as me but he could consistently hit the ball far and straighter than me.  What I noticed was how effortlessly he hit the ball.  Some guys use all shoulders and arms when they hit the ball and it's very easy to see.  The guys that can hit the ball far and straight with out too much effort are the ones that are employing the "six harmonies" and most of them don't even know it.

This past Friday was one of those moments when you realize what you are learning in the Kwoon is applicable in other areas of life.  When I slowed my swing down and really focused on the six harmonies the ball traveled farther and straighter and there was much much less touqure in my upper body.  I really noticed that when my hips where moving in harmony with my shoulders that I really felt a nice swing.  It's moments like this, that's gets me more and more excited to keep coming back to the Kwoon!

Ian Repay
Student of Silent River Kung Fu
Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada.