I had an out of body experience today at the driving range at Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland and I felt it my duty to share the findings.

I don’t want this to come off as a life-chaging moment of total clarity and blah blah blah. It wasn’t quite that impactful. Fact is, I hit my usual share of grounders, slices, chili-dips, and worm burners. I’m the absolute epitomy of average as a golfer and you could argue that I should be better, considering the time I invest in the great game.

So passionate am I about golf that I’m embarking on the dream trip to Scotland in 6 days to play the oldest, gradest courses on the planet Earth. I’ll share the full itinerary before departure on July 30 but rest assured we (my brother Mike and I) are playing the Old Course at St. Andrews and the Alisa course at Turnberry among them.

As I locked in to a groovy groove on the range, I thought about how great it will be to play well on the links in Scotland. As I thought about what was making me strike the ball so well, it led me to a few short tenets that apply to all aspects of my life.

TRUST the club selection and swing according to the plan

SLOW DOWN the take back. There’s no rush getting to the top.

RELEASE the putter down the intended line without regard for results.

THINK your way around the course without over-analyzing or trying to be too cute.

IMMERSE yourself in the moment. Be here now.

Those are the prevailing notions that I will try and carry with me across the pond. Sometimes the toughest thing to do is just slow down and enjoy everything that we have been fortunate enough to have.