Considering my love of golf and my career in golf fitness most people are surprised to hear that I didn’t really pick up a golf club until my early 20’s. I played basketball and baseball growing up through high school. I may have gone out to the golf course and messed around every now and then but never really took it seriously, that is until I went to Physical Therapy school in St Augustine, Florida.
As most people know there is a golf course on every corner in Florida, and golf became my way to escape and unwind from the rigors of PT school. There is where I fell in love with the game. It became a way for me to still compete as I slowly stopped participating in other sports. Once I graduated from PT school, I knew that I wanted to continue to pursue improvement in my own game as well as work it into my career as a PT.
What I love about golf
I love being outside in nature. I grew up in the small town of Sulphur, LA and spent most of my days outdoors either playing sports, riding bikes, building tree houses or just exploring the woods. Even today I will take a day outdoors even in the unbearable heat of south Louisiana summers over being stuck indoors. Being able to get away and be outside in nature taking in the scenery and beauty is something I always look forward too.
I love the constant pursuit of improvement. As a kid I always loved trying to improve in the sports that I was playing. One of the things that golf gives me as an adult is something I can immerse myself in working on improving my game and learning about the swing. Whether its hitting driving range balls, working on my short game, hitting in a simulator or just studying the game. There is something about that constant pursuit of learning and improvement that really pulls me in.
I love the relationships I have been able to build. Whether it is catching up with an old friend and a not seeing them for a long period or the plethora of new friendships and relationships I have been able to build on the course, golf has provided me some of the best friends that I have today. It has also given me a lot of opportunities whether it is being able to play in the Zurich Pro-am recently or being able to travel and play some of the most beautiful courses in the country, I am profoundly grateful for those relationships and experiences that golf has provided me
Lastly, golf has been therapy for me. That along with a constant gym routine have helped me through some dark times in my life. Whether it was my divorce a few years ago, losing my ability to work and make money through covid or the day-to-day stressors of being a single dad and business owner I know I can go practice or play and for that time my mind can be clear. I have always struggled with stress and anxiety, but golf has provided my one of the few situations that I can be fully present and let go of some of the stressors or negative thoughts even if just temporarily.
In Conclusion
All these reasons and more are why I have a huge passion not only for the game of golf at all levels, but helping golfers perform their best, play without pain and most importantly be able to play this game for as long as they want without issues or limitations. This game has given me so much and I hope to spend the rest of my life being able to help others play and enjoy it as well.
Dr. JP Guidry DPT TPI
johnpaul@guidrypt.com
