The Golfing Proverb

So, what’s on my mind?

A few days ago, I read a story about a 28-year-old professional golfer who called a penalty on himself during a tournament. Apparently, as he stood over the ball preparing to swing, he noticed the ball move ever so slightly. No one else saw it. No official called it. No cameras caught it. He could have said nothing and moved on. After all, he was leading the tournament, and one stroke could have meant the difference between winning and losing millions of dollars. But he called the penalty on himself anyway.

As it turned out, he still won the tournament. But honestly, that almost feels beside the point. What stuck with me wasn’t the trophy. It was the character. Now, I know golf sometimes gets a reputation for being slow. I’ll admit, it’s induced a Sunday afternoon nap or two for me. But every now and then, the game gives us a reminder that integrity still matters. In a world where people often ask, “What can I get away with?” it’s refreshing to see someone ask, “What is the right thing to do?”

It made me think about Proverbs 10:9: “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely.” Integrity is one of those things that rarely makes headlines until someone doesn’t have it. Usually, it’s found in the unseen moments: returning extra change to a cashier, admitting a mistake at work, telling the truth when a lie would be easier, or doing the right thing when nobody else is watching. 

That’s the kind of character God forms in us over time. Not perfection, but honesty. Not image management, but integrity. And perhaps one of the clearest signs of Christian maturity is becoming the same person in private that we appear to be in public. Moments like that golfer’s give me hope. They remind me there are still people trying to live with honesty and humility. More importantly, they remind me that small acts of integrity can point people toward something bigger, toward the God of truth, grace, and faithfulness.

Also, if I ever take up golf seriously, I should probably focus less on integrity and more on actually hitting the ball straight first.

May God hold you,
Rev Chris Hester