If I’m Being Honest…

Why do we tee up statements with “If I’m Being Honest…”? Does it mean that you are not always honest? Where did this “honesty” expression come from? It is “honestly” not part of golf course vocabulary. Golf is unique from other sports in that players regularly call penalties on themselves and report their own score. The honesty of players is captured when they follow the rules and etiquette of the game of golf. True golfers understand that the game has to be a game of honor. They are not playing for their livelihoods; it is a passion, pleasure, and golfers enter and leave the course with a clear conscience. The ultimate honesty box is the one we write our scores in. If a golfer can’t be honest with themselves, then improvement will be difficult. It’s a fact that the better a golfer becomes, the more acutely aware they are of their own failings. Our biggest job, in golf and life, is to find out who we really are. Your golf game will allow you to learn what kind of person you really are. Whatever your level of golf, seeing yourself clearly and honestly will is the first step in fulfilling your potential. As one of The First Tee Nine Core Values, we believe honesty has to do with being truthful in golf and in everything a young person engages in throughout life. Honesty is also an important trait to have in one’s academic and professional life as well as being core to the game of golf. The quality of honesty helps to develop character and solid self-esteem. Our goal is to teach participants honesty through hands-on activities. We use games that require them to implement honesty by tallying their own score, counting every shot (even misses), determining if their ball stayed within the boundaries of the course and learning what it means to be accessed a penalty stroke. Consider registering your child in a class, becoming a volunteer or supporting our non-profit youth development organization.