A love letter to golf…
Highland was founded at the beginning of 2025. After a year of loving golf. But to truly understand my love for golf we have to take a look back to 2023. The single worst period of my life, and (hopefully) the worst it will ever be.
I was going through a messy breakup, where I realised I wasn’t close to being the person I wanted to be. I was overweight. I said goodbye to once close friends, and quite frankly, for a period I was alone. I was coping with this all in unhealthy ways, with my addiction, comfort eating and more. I was at rock bottom, I was diagnosed with severe depression and I wanted it all to end.
Golf, along with faith and therapy have restored me and built me new. I’m happy to talk about my experiences with the other two, but for now – let’s talk Golf.
Golf & Physical Health
When I first started going to the driving range with my Dad during this depressive episode, something about it just scratched my brain. It made me want to become really good, to be able to play 18+ holes, and to play them well. But first I had to have the stamina.
It inspired me to get into running, into walking and into general health, plus being on the course you get a lot of steps in, breathing in fresh air and soaking up the sun. What’s not to love about that. Within 6 months I’d lost 25KGs and felt the best I’d felt in more than 8 years.
Not only that but the time outside made me want to continue to exercise outside, take in the marvelous creation we have around us, and especially, a desire to take care of the physical health of our world.
Golf & Mental Health
Not only did Golf change the way I look after my body and the environment around me, but it also made me more conscious about the way I treat my mind. After all, they do say healthy body = healthy mind.
Between therapy and this new found passion, I was able to be motivated to get out of bed in the morning, to find something new to consume.
I often describe golf as the most frustratingly therapeutic game in the world, because it’s both all in your control, and sometimes not in your control at all. But that desire to get a little bit better (I still have a long way to go with a HCP of 30+) every time, well that’s a mindset I took into the rest of my life. I may not have liked the person I was, but I could get towards that little by little, minor adjustment at a time. I believe it’s an attitude we should all carry in life.
Golf & Community
My new golf passion has helped me build stronger existing connections and brand new ones, and for that I’m grateful.
I’ve grown closer with my Dad, a cousin, a brother and some friends. It’s helped me settle into a new city and make new friends.
Besides, a long walk with friends creates opportunities for intentional conversations and kinship. It’s a great connection point, and a great chance to grow closer with mates. And it’s the perfect place to check in on their mental health.
If there’s anything you takeaway from my ramblings please take this away. Please check on your friends mental health, whether that’s on the golf course or not. Show up for them when they need you, be consistent, and you’re an incredible friend, better than most.