Staying on course

A four-hour round of golf includes maybe six minutes of actually hitting the ball.

"You've got so much time to think," said former professional golfer Wally Armstrong. "You've got four hours, just you, the ball, your caddy and God."

For Christians on the course, time spent walking and waiting between shots offers an opportunity for prayer.

"There's a mental conversation going on even if you're not getting down on your knees on the green," said Mr. Armstrong, who went on to write about his faith after 30 Top 10 finishes in PGA Tour events, including a fifth-place finish at the 1978 Masters Tournament. He most recently co-wrote The Mulligan , a book about God's forgiveness and grace.

"You gain a companion. You gain a friend. Jesus becomes like your caddy," Mr. Armstrong said. "He walks with you, but God doesn't hit any shots for you. You've still got to play the game."

God does, however, offer words of encouragement.

"He says 'I'm with you. Just do the best you can,'" Mr. Armstrong said.

Former golf pro Mark Reeder says he's also found encouragement from the divine with a mantra from Scripture.

"I always said the same thing every time I teed off," he said. "Arise, shine, let the glory of the Lord shine upon you," a paraphrase of Isaiah 60:1. "There are nerves stepping on that first tee, but physically I felt at peace. If I got nervous or upset it brought me peace."

It's a mantra he's used since he was 8.

"It all started when I was a junior golfer," Mr. Reeder said. "I was upset my clubs were different than everyone else. I didn't have new, brand-name clubs."

His mother pulled him aside and offered the verse.

Mr. Reeder still repeats it, although he no longer plays competitively. He left the tour after six years to become the associate pastor of The Freedom Christian Church in Scottsdale, Ariz.

He says he has several fond memories of praying with fellow golfers.

"When it's your living, you'd think we'd pray for success," Mr. Reeder said. "But we meet so many people. There is so much hurting. I prayed a lot for my family, too. It was a tough time."

The tour takes a toll on most golfers, said Randy Wolff. Although he now writes devotionals for golfers, Mr. Wolff wasn't a Christian when he played on the tour. That came later, in 1986, years after his professional golf career ended in 1973.

"It was a lonely experience out there, especially when you're playing poorly," he said. "You can get down on yourself. That's the time to realize you're not alone."

His devotionals appear at linksplayers.com alongside writings from other pro golfers, including Jim Hiskey, who founded the tour's weekly Bible study still held today.

"I went to the tour Bible study, just once," Mr. Wolff said. "They were nice guys. I respected them, but I had heard the words before and it hadn't affected my heart. It took me years to change."

That same Bible study is where golfer Bill Rogers became a Christian in 1976.

He learned to pray on the course with 1 Thessalonians 5, which instructs: "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Mr. Rogers, who went on to win the 1981 British Open, says it was easier to do when times were good.

"I wish I had been faithful enough to hold onto Scripture during my lows on the course," he said. "It was when I retired from competitive golf that I really began a true committed faith journey."

Mr. Armstrong, the golfer-turned-author, said he also had to learn that God wants to share your frustrations.

"Prayer to me is about relationship, the good and the bad," he said. "There's a higher purpose for being out there. We know there is an ultimate plan, and that is a great assurance."

Mr. Armstrong remembers a particular season when his faith put the game into perspective.

"It was 1981, or '82. I needed a high finish to regain credentials for the next year," he said. "I started out horribly. I was playing so bad. I could just feel the pressure."

On the ninth hole, his caddy said, "Wally, what's the difference between a birdie and a bogey 100 years from now? In 100 years, it won't matter."

"I stood on the tee and under my breath said it again and again. I hit the shot in two for an eagle," Mr. Armstrong said.

He finished three under par on the back nine and made the check he needed.

"We just said it as we were walking up to each hole. It was probably one of my best rounds ever," Mr. Armstrong said.

"My faith was my strength. I wouldn't have been able to compete on that level without Christ."

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.