Not that I have already obtained, or already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12, ASV)
In 1920, Willie Park Jr. published what may be the first golf instruction book wholly devoted to putting — The Art of Putting. Willie Park was, as the title page in the book announces, “Open Champion, 1887 and 1889.”
Chapter 1 is “The Man who can Putt is a Match for Anyone.” Willie claims to have coined that aphorism 30 years before the book’s publication, and he illustrates its veracity by describing how he defeated (or nearly defeated) players who were playing better than he was.
Much of the chapter is dedicated to a challenge match he had with Harry Vardon in 1899, when Vardon was at his best. It’s fascinating!
Chapter 4 is all about the grip.
Would Willie Park have been puzzled by Jordan Spieth and J. J. Spaun (left-hand low), or by Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley (claw grip), or even by me (pencil grip)? No, and he would have loved my friend Tippy, who putted with one hand. Here’s why.
He wrote: If both hands are used, the one works against the other, and the result is not so satisfactory. In using both hands, the left hand helps to steady the club and give more command over it, but it must always be borne in mind that it is the right hand that guides the club and strikes the ball.
Apparently, from the beginning, many putters have lived by the scripture, “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (Just kidding, of course.)
The point I want to make is that in “the art of putting,” there are multiple ways to grip the putter, and there are multiple kinds of putter grips to accommodate how you want to hold it.
Likewise, there are multiple ways that we hold on to our faith. For some, a daily routine is key. For others, it is in sharing their faith. Some pray more, and some read scripture more. All who believe in Jesus are holding on to him and their faith in him, but not every grip looks the same.
The question is, does your grip work? If not, don’t be afraid to switch. A year ago, Scottie Scheffler did that in golf, and it helped him a lot.
Hold on to Jesus. Hold on to your faith. Find the grip that works the very best for you, and practice it every day. That is how you begin to master The Art of Walking With Jesus.
Prayer: Father, may we hold on to that for which we were laid hold of by Jesus. In His amazing and powerful name, Amen