One of the things I love most about golf is its variety. No two courses are alike, and each one presents its own set of challenges. Over the years, I’ve found that playing at different courses has had a profound effect on my mental sharpness and adaptability.
Leung and Chiu’s (2010) research on cultural engagement shows that exposing yourself to new environments forces you to think flexibly and become more creative.
This is exactly what happens when you step onto a new course for the first time. Suddenly, your usual strategies might not work. That dogleg left or the wind coming off the water requires a whole new approach. You have to think differently, and it’s this process of adapting that improves not only your game but your cognitive flexibility as well.
I often draw parallels between these golf experiences and my work. Each new project or challenge I face in business is like a new course—different, unpredictable, and demanding a fresh perspective.
By regularly pushing myself to adapt on the golf course, I’ve learned to approach business challenges with the same flexible mindset. It’s no coincidence that the more courses I play, the more adaptable I feel in both golf and life.
