The Swing – Toppling from Courtroom to Greens.
Being a lawyer, I’ve had the privilege of meeting people from all walks of life. Naturally, when you’re trying to build trust with clients, you end up learning a bit about their personal lives—what they do for fun, their hobbies, etc. Time and again, some of my clients would casually drop the “golf” bomb in conversation. They’d tell me how much they love the game and even extended invitations for a round of golf, alongside recommending their coaches.
One fine day, as I was leaving the Hon’ble Supreme Court, I thought to myself: Why not give this golf thing a try? So, I reached out to one of the coaches recommended to me. The man was super responsive—called me back almost instantly. He said, “Why not come for a trial session and see how you feel about it?” The very next day, I found myself standing at the driving range, looking at the expanse of green grass and the clear blue sky. It felt surreal. I mean, here I was, amidst nature, in a calm, serene setting, something I rarely experience in the chaos of city life. My soul had already made up its mind: golf was going to be my new obsession.
The coach handed me an iron club, and as I swung for the first time, the ball forcibly skimmed across the ground. Let’s just say, the sound didn’t exactly scream “Tiger Woods.” The coach reassured me, though. He said, “In this game there’s got to be a flow between the mind and the body for that sweet sound of the club connecting with the ball – ‘ping!’. Once you get that, you’ll feel it. The ears judge your shot.”
But then came the reality check—let’s talk about the cost. I mean, I’ve played cricket, badminton, basketball, football, volleyball and tennis before, and the most I spent on equipment was probably around the cost of a couple of cricket bats and tennis rackets combined. But golf? Oh boy. A standard set of 11 clubs can cost lakhs, a bag that’s fancier and costlier than my best suitcase, and a trolley that costs more than my daughter’s baby pram! And that’s not even touching on caddy fees, green fees, driving range fees, and ball fees. Forget about those exclusive golf club memberships that cost millions—getting one feels like chasing a mirage in the desert given long waiting lists! Financially demanding, for sure. But who cares when you’re falling in love with the game?
The Learning Curve: From Top Shots to Almost Trophies
As a beginner, my first few lessons were humbling, to say the least. The coach worked on my grip, stance, how to create that perfect “V” shape with my hands, the swing and the angle at which I was supposed to hit the ball. My initial shots were more like top-edge in cricket than majestic drives in golf. The ball barely lifted, lofted or shooed off the ground, and the sound… well, let’s just say it was far from pleasing. However, the coach remained calm and composed, offering a blend of genuine encouragement and flattering praise.
Every practice session came with 100 balls (sometimes more) to hit, and the coach taught me various swing techniques based on a clock analogy qua club location – centre at 6, backswing at 9, follow-through at 3, and so on. There were chip shots, pitch shots, 9-3 swings, and full swings—all depending on the distance you wanted to cover and the iron club you were using by positioning your body differently – knee bending, fixing the left foot, lifting the right foot on finishing the swing, shifting body weight from right to left, eyes on the ball till hitting, right shoulder down keep left shoulder higher, etc. etc. Honestly, it was a lot to take in, and each day’s video review made me cringe at how much I needed to improve. I mean, in my mind, I was nailing it, but those videos? Brutal reality checks.
By Day 7, the coach invited me to hit the course. I was nervous, imagining myself as the laughing stock of the fairway. But the coach, sly as ever, paired me with two fellow newbies who were just as fresh to the game with a few more weeks of experience. Stepping onto the green, swinging away, and strolling across the course felt way more amazing than strutting into the fanciest malls or poshest hotels I’ve visited. Who knew grass could outshine marble floors and chandeliers? The first time I teed off with a driver—something I hadn’t used at the range—I sent the ball flying… into a bunker at the curve of 1st hole. A few more swings with guidance from coach, and I was finally able to get the ball straight-ish, though it did flirt with the out-of-bounds line.
The game on the course was a mix of pure chaos and magic. We played nine holes over two hours with about 72 extra shots (don’t ask), but it was nothing short of exhilarating. The coach and caddy strategically placed the balls repeatedly to make me feel like a pro, giving me enough chances to hit a “real” shot. Despite my scorecard (after many re-shots) reading a humbling 17, I left the course feeling like a winner. I realised, Golf has this magical way of making you love it, even when it humbles you.
The second time the coach dragged me back to the course on day 11, I was determined not to embarrass myself—or at least not as much. Under his watchful eye and constant guidance, something miraculous happened: my swing didn’t look like I was fighting off a swarm of bees, and my putts actually started finding the hole. To everyone’s shock—including mine—I managed to score a respectable 10, with minimal re-shots this time. But the real kicker? I actually scored my first birdie! I didn’t just stumble into it, I practically waltzed into it, and I swear even the birds on the course cheered for me. I might have looked surprised, but hey, let’s pretend it was all part of the master plan! to keep me hooked on to the game.
Golf is the Perfect Game for Lawyers – I believe.
Golf isn’t just a game; it’s a mental battle, and that’s exactly why it resonates with lawyers. Both in the courtroom and on the golf course, strategy and mindfulness is everything. Golf teaches you patience, resilience, and focus—just like the legal profession. It’s not just about the physical aspect; it’s a game of discipline and control, qualities that every good lawyer must possess.
Beyond the mental challenge, golf offers something rare: the chance to connect with nature and escape the daily grind of legal cases, briefs, and deadlines. It gives you space to think, reflect, and recharge.
Whether you’re there to master the game or just unwind, golf teaches you to be calm under pressure—a skill no lawyer can afford to be without.
Conclusion: Hooked for Life
So, after just a few days, I got hooked on the game. I might not be the next Tiger Woods or my current favourite Bryson Dechambeu, but hey, at least I’m having fun and getting better one shot at a time. The challenge, the beauty of the game, and the sheer joy of nailing that perfect swing with the right distance and direction — it’s all worth it.
Until then, I’ll keep swinging. There’s a game to play.
Prashant Kanha
____________________________
Courtesy: Hariom Sharma ji, my golf coach. Vikas, my caddy. Jeetu, Naresh, Anil, Mohan, Nushrat, Brij Kishore, and Baidyanath at Unitech Golf and Country Club, Noida.