Monday, October 25, 2010

Don't Choke by Gary Player

Don't Choke by Gary Player is an autobiography of a man going beyond his wildest dreams and achieving his lifetime goals. Gary Player is a successful golfer and businessman. South Africa was his home and he traveled to the United States to become a professional golfer. He won eighteen Majors in his golf career and continues to help underprivileged kids live normal and healthy lives through charities and fundraisers that he has set up. This book takes the reader through his successes and shows the great lessons he learned in his life due to his struggles. These difficulties shaped who he is and helped him overcome the physical and mental obstacles of life. "We learn the most through our mistakes, not our successes," writes Player, making the point that mistakes do not have to ruin us if we do not let them. In his book, he goes off the idea of individualism - the idea that a person can go as far as their will takes them. Gary Player grew up in the poorer part of South Africa and went further than anyone believed possible. He writes how he was able to achieve this success and states, "You have to stay hungry. No matter how much success you have achieved, you have to keep wanting to improve." Gary player shows all of his outlooks on life and how to go about it. He backs up these ideas with his personal experiences in golf and life. Eighteen Majors is impressive in itself, but he also went on to succeed in helping people live better lives through various charities he has set up. Golf is a game, but the things you learn from it stick with you and help you through the journey of life.

1. Gary Player says golf is a lesson in life. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

2. Do you believe any other sport, activity, or experience can teach life long lessons? Which ones?

5 comments:

Kyle N.1-2 said...

1. I agree, (because i play golf occasionnally) golf can teach you life lessons. It is a very frustrating game at times, and if you're not doing well, it is no fun. But you have to press on, and learn to calm yourself. When you do, you will play better, just like life will get better.

Monica J. 1-2 said...

2. Yes i believe sports can teach people life lessons because in sports you learn teamwork and detication which will help you later on in life when you have to work with others who you make like or not like. SPorts can help you deal with people if you necessarily dont like them.

Tyler W 1-2 said...

Yes, i also agree. Golf helps you not dwell on bad shots or situations. it makes you move on and accept its challenges.

Tyler W 1-2 said...

Dedication is important in life and sports do help you dedicate yourself to things.

Nathan S. 7-8 said...

I think all sports can give you life lessons and that might be partially why we play them so much.