Golf is a game of constant adaptation. Much like leadership, it requires us to think on our feet, reassess our options, and pivot when needed. I’ve come to realise that the flexibility we develop on the course doesn’t just improve our game—it sharpens our minds for life’s challenges as well.
Take playing at different courses, for example. No two courses are the same. Whether you’re navigating a rugged links course in Scotland or a sun-baked fairway in Spain, you’re forced to adapt your strategy.
You can’t rely on the same club choices or shot techniques in every situation. This adaptability on the course mirrors how we need to operate in business. Each new challenge requires us to reframe our thinking, assess the environment, and find creative solutions.
The concept of ‘cognitive flexibility’, often discussed in psychology, ties into this idea perfectly. A study by Leung and Chiu (2010) demonstrated that exposure to new environments, such as foreign cultures, enhances creativity and mental agility. When we adapt to these new contexts, we develop the kind of flexible thinking that helps us approach problems in innovative ways. I’ve found the same to be true in golf—playing in different settings hones my ability to adjust and think outside the box. It’s a powerful lesson for leadership, too: the more we expose ourselves to diverse experiences, the more adaptable and creative we become.
