Whether it’s in the third chapter of Katha Upanishad, Plato’s Phaedrus, (through his mouthpiece, Socrates), or your buddy’s terrible golf cart driving skills, the allegory of the chariot explains the nature of the human golf psyche.

Understanding the Chariot Analogy:

1. The Body as the Chariot: Just as a chariot is the vessel for movement, our body serves as the vessel for our golf performance. Keep it well-maintained, flexible, and strong.
2. The Senses as Horses: The senses represent the powerful horses that pull the chariot. In golf, our senses guide our actions and reactions. We train them, like well-disciplined horses, to respond to our commands and stay focused on the path ahead.
3. The Mind as the Reins: Just as reins guide the horses, our mind controls and directs our senses. Maintaining a steady and focused mindset to steer our actions toward precision and desired outcomes is essential.

And who, you might ask, is driving the chariot? The intellect. While making informed decisions and softly focusing our actions. We practice having a sharp intellect to make strategic choices and maximize our potential.

So, as you strive for golfing greatness while embracing this ancient wisdom, just make sure you are the one in the driver’s seat.

Dodie Mazzuca is the author of “Seamless Golf,” “Golf Sūtras,” “Daily Golf Tap-Ins,” and is the founder of Golf PROformance LLC. She teaches golf lessons, golf schools, and performance coaching in Santa Cruz, CA and Reno, NV.