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Fairway to Heaven…Lessons from the game of golf
“….and if you listen very hard the tune will come to you at last, when all are one and one is all, to be a rock and not to roll…and she’s buying a Stairway to Heaven…” – Led Zeppelin
Golf is outwardly the most linear of games but in truth it is the most non- linear of all pursuits. No, this is not an article about the game but a few life lessons that I have gleaned from the countless hours that I have spent in pursuit of this mortifying game.
⇥ Humility and Being Humble – Embracing the Unpredictability
Kenosis is defined as the process of the self emptying itself of self …in other words, a battle against my own ego, if you will, and an attempt to get out of my own way.
Isn’t this what spiritual growth is all about?
This is exactly what I experience every time I play a round of golf. Even the most seasoned players can find themselves humbled by a sudden gust of wind, an awkward lie in a bunker, or a seemingly simple putt that veers off course. Realisation hits you like a ton of bricks – that happiness and sorrow are all fleeting moments – and to my mind this is the most humbling of experiences.
This applies profoundly to our professional lives – a superlative achievement at work can be shattered by an abrupt failure – so stay grounded at all times and be humble.
This unpredictability is a powerful reminder for leaders: no matter how much we know, how experienced we are, or how successful we’ve been, circumstances can change without warning. The best leaders remain grounded, acknowledging that success is never guaranteed and that there’s always something new to learn.
Humility in leadership—like in golf—invites collaboration, fosters respect, and enables a growth mindset. It helps leaders listen more, learn continuously, and respond with grace during setbacks. Golf reminds us that staying humble is not a weakness but a strength rooted in realism and resilience.
⇥ Assessing a Person’s Personality or True Nature Through a Round of Golf
Few activities expose a person’s character quite like a round of golf. Over four hours, how someone reacts to poor shots, handles success, treats their playing partners, or responds to rules offers insight into their temperament, values, and integrity.
I once played a round at the Army Bolarum Course in Hyderabad with a gentleman. I was working with Airtel at that time and he happened to be a new Airtel Partner but didn’t know who I was. Over the course of the game I got to observe how he treated his caddy disparagingly, lied about his strokes and cursed everyone but himself for his poor game. During that one round of golf I observed his true nature and temperament and wondered if he was truly a good business partner to have.
As a leadership lesson, golf teaches us the value of observation. True leadership requires not just strategic vision but also an understanding of people—who they are under pressure, in moments of triumph, or when facing adversity. Golf provides a unique environment to evaluate emotional intelligence, patience, sportsmanship, and composure, all of which are core to effective leadership.
⇥ The Importance of Planning and Strategy in Golf and Profession
My nephew Rayhan Thomas turned Professional last year and is currently playing the Korn Ferry Golf Tour in the US. I had the unique opportunity to caddy for him on his debut PGTI Tour Event in Coimbatore, India. In a field full of professional Indian golfers, who are very experienced in playing on Indian courses, he managed to come up on top and win on debut. He had planned out his strategy for each hole during the practise round and had created a mental map of which holes he would attack aggressively and which ones he would play safe, where the risk was high. He had a game plan in case the course got too windy or it rained during the round. As his caddy I got a ring side view of how he prepared and executed his plan with a cool demeanour, round after round, on a course that was very different from the usual courses he practises and plays back in the US.
Golf is not merely about power or technical prowess. Each hole demands a thoughtful approach and a cool temperament. Where should I place the tee shot to have the best angle to the green? Is it better to lay up or go for it in two? Which club should I use considering the wind and lie?
Similarly, in business or any profession, success requires strategic planning. Leaders must evaluate risks, consider short-term and long-term goals, and choose the most effective path to success—not always the fastest or flashiest one.
Dealing with Tricky Situations – Choosing the Sensible Option
One of the classic dilemmas in golf arises when a player finds themselves in trouble—behind a tree, in deep rough, or in a fairway bunker. Here, ego can tempt you to try a heroic shot through a narrow gap. But often, the smarter play is to take a drop, punch out sideways, or lay up—accepting a safer route that avoids compounding errors.
Leadership involves similar choices. There will always be tricky situations—conflicts, declining markets, unexpected failures. The instinct to force a big solution or to “go for it” may seem appealing, but wisdom often lies in restraint. Sensible decisions, even if they don’t immediately yield glory, preserve long-term stability and success.
Golf teaches leaders to weigh risk vs reward, remove ego from the equation, and play the long game. Sometimes, a well-executed safe shot is more courageous than a risky one.
Controlling Emotions – The Tiger Woods 10-Step Rule
In both golf and life, things don’t always go as planned. I once had the opportunity to watch Tiger Woods play in the Dubai Desert Classic in 2006 at the Majlis Emirates Golf Course when he was at his peak. On the iconic 8th dog-leg hole I watched him hit his ball into the sandy and shrubby rough on the right and wondered how he would ever recover from this position. The manner with which he approached the ball and struck it out on to the green was a lesson in composure and temperament.Tiger Woods, known for his intense focus, practices a 10-step rule: after a bad shot, he allows himself ten steps to feel frustrated—but once those steps are over, he resets mentally and moves forward. It was amazing to watch him temperamentally bounce back from bad shots and come out stronger.
This principle is profoundly applicable in professional life. Whether it’s a failed pitch, a lost client, or internal team conflict, emotional control is essential. Leaders who react impulsively or dwell on setbacks can create a ripple effect of negativity within their teams.
The Tiger Woods rule teaches us that it’s okay to feel frustration—but we must manage it quickly and not let it define our next move. Emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and the ability to reset are leadership superpowers.
I urge young leaders to imbibe these simple lessons in their professional lives and like Bobby Jones, the legendary American golfer, once famously said, “Golf is the closest game to the game we call life.You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots—but you have to play the ball where it lies.”
