If the Dalai Lama Played Golf, He’d Be a Scratch Golfer — Here’s Why It Matters for You

Golf is beautiful. Golf is brutal.
One minute you’re flushing a 7-iron; the next you’re wondering how a grown adult can top a ball six feet. And for most of us—balancing work, family, life—we’re squeezing in rounds whenever we can. We want consistency. Rarely do we find it.

Here’s the truth most golfers never fully accept: it’s not just your swing. It’s your state of mind.

And that’s why, if the Dalai Lama ever teed it up, he’d play off scratch—not because he’d have the perfect swing, but because he’d have the perfect mindset.

Understanding that might change how you approach your game… and your life.

The Three Noble Truths of Golf

Ask any elite player what truly separates the good from the great and you’ll hear the same themes: perspective, presence, and emotional control. Mechanics matter. But mindset carries the scorecard.

Buddhist philosophy frames human struggle around perception, attachment, and craving—and golf mirrors it perfectly.

Here’s how three of Buddhism’s Noble Truths reveal what’s really holding you back on the course, and how flipping the script can help you play more golf present.

1. You Think Everyone Is Watching Your Swing

Buddhist Truth: A focus on the self creates suffering.
Golf Translation: You imagine you’re centre stage—you're not.

We’ve all stood on a tee box convinced the whole world is watching… waiting for you to duff it. But the reality? They’re too busy worrying about their own slice, their own tempo, their own nerves.

This isn’t ego—it’s ancient biology. Your brain evolved to protect you, not to help you shoot lower scores. It wants you to fit in with the tribe. On the course, this drives pressure, tension, and the collapse of flow.

Try This

Play like no one’s looking—because they aren’t.
Your best rounds happen when you’re loose, present, and simply enjoying the moment. That’s not coincidence. That’s liberation.

2. You Label Every Shot Good or Bad

Buddhist Truth: Attachment creates pain.
Golf Translation: You judge every swing—and then judge yourself.

A slice brings self-criticism. A pure strike brings inflated hope ("Finally, I’ve cracked it!"). But both are traps. You’re attaching your identity to outcomes. Golf becomes personal, emotional, volatile.

Our ancestors needed to judge berries as “good” or “bad” to survive. But on the 12th tee, that ancient wiring sabotages you.

Elite players remain neutral. They see feedback, not failure.

Try This

Don’t judge—observe.
Detach from outcome. Let the shot go. Reset. One swing at a time.
This is golf present—aware, calm, unreactive.

3. “I’ll Be Happy When I Break 100… Then 90… Then 70…”

Buddhist Truth: Craving leads to fleeting satisfaction.
Golf Translation: You move the goalposts so fast you never enjoy the walk.

Break 90 and suddenly you want 85. Hit 85 and now you're chasing a 300-yard drive, perfect dispersion, a short-game miracle. The craving never stops.

This evolutionary drive once kept us alive—seeking more food, more safety. But in golf, it steals joy from the only thing that’s real: the present moment.

Try This

Enjoy the journey.
Let score be consequence, not obsession. Golf is a purposeful walk. Let that purpose be joy, awareness, discovery. Practice with intention, but release the pressure for perfection.

What This Has to Do with Your Wardrobe

At Swingmor, we know your time is stretched. You want to play more golf, play better golf, and enjoy it—not fuss with uncomfortable outfits or gear that only works on the course.

That’s why Swingmor exists: to give you more freedom, more presence, and more purpose whether you’re at the office, on the tee, or travelling.

We’re not just here to make golf fashion. We’re here to help you move, think, and feel differently.
That’s why we created:

• Forever Fresh stretch TENCEL™ apparel that transitions effortlessly through your whole day.

• True Fit sizing that just works.

Golf is mental. Golf is physical.
Your wardrobe should support both.

Why Swingmor Is Built Different

Most brands sell swing tips and training aids. We build foundations—mindset, movement, and materials that help you play your best by feeling your best.

What sets us apart:

• True Athleisure — Premium stretch TENCEL™, stay-smart detailing, and all-day freshness so you can play more golf with less friction.

• Built for Golf, Designed for Life — Sharp enough for the office, technical enough for the course. Feel good, work hard, move freely.

• True Purpose — We’re quietly disrupting golf and fashion with design that lasts, materials that matter, and a commitment to creating positive impact.

We don’t just make clothes. We build a community rooted in perspective, presence, and purpose.

Gift Ideas for the Mindful Golfer

If you’re looking for golf ideas or gift ideas that bring genuine value—not clutter—start here:

• A Swingmor polo or trouser set in stretch TENCEL™ for all-day comfort and performance.

• A swingmor gift bundle or gift card

• Invitations to Swingmor Clubhouse events for connection, learning, and inspiration.

Great golf starts with clarity.
Great gifting starts with intention.

Final Thought: Golf Present Is Golf Better

Next time you stand on the tee, remind yourself:

You are not your score.
Let go of pressure.
Let go of judgment.
Return to the present moment.

It’s what the Dalai Lama would do.

Ready to join a different kind of golf community?
Discover Swingmor’s wardrobe essentials and holistic living designed to help you squeeze more joy, time, and focus into your game—and your life.

We are Swingmor. Built for golf. Designed for life.

Dr. Mathew Hampshire-Waugh blends materials science with sports psychology and mindfulness, designing apparel and golf essentials that elevate both performance and presence.

Q: How does Swingmor help with golf frustration?
A: We approach the game holistically—understanding that true progress comes from perspective, mental resilience, and being present. Our clothes support this by reducing decision fatigue and enabling you to move seamlessly through your day—and our programs reinforce it mentally and physically.

Q: What makes Swingmor apparel different from other golf brands?
A: We’re the only golf brand using premium stretch Tencel across all garments, with stay-smart design and true fit sizing. No logos, no fluff—just performance-driven athleisure you can wear all day, every day.

Q: Who is Swingmor for?
A: Busy professionals, mindful players, or gift-givers who want to give something truly unique, useful and meaningful. Whether you play 5 times a week or once a month, Swingmor helps you make more of the time you have.

Q: Why the Buddhist metaphor?
A: Golf is more than a swing—it's a mental game. Buddhism’s Noble Truths map surprisingly well to the struggles (and joys) golfers face. It’s about letting go, staying present, and playing without attachment. That’s where the magic happens.