I used to be anti-golf. Once I finally played, I found it strengthened my marriage and improved my mental health.

But my forray into golf wasn’t all sunny. In the early days of playing I nearly let my lifelong struggles with perfectionism take over.

My initial focus was hitting the perfect shot every time. When things didn’t go as planned — which happened a lot — I’d let that frustration carry into the rest of the game.

I spent rounds mumbling expletives after over-swinging or slicing the ball, and I’d impatiently pace when we had to wait for the group ahead of us. I considered the day a failure if I wasn’t hitting consistent shots.

In time and with the help of therapy, I realized that worrying about the perfect shot was wasting precious time. From there, I worked hard to shift my mindset.

Instead of berating myself for a poor shot, I laughed at the mishits and savored the good ones. Rather than focusing on my game, I cherished having a shared experience with my husband.

It wasn’t easy, but golf has taught me to enjoy moments for what they are — not how perfectly they play out.

Now I happily putz along, content if I hit the ball in the intended direction. I enjoy the soft breeze and sun on my skin while waiting for our turn to tee off on a slow day.

For anyone resisting trying something new — especially if it’s something your partner enjoys — I encourage you to give it a shot (no golf pun intended). You might be surprised by how much it can deepen your connection and provide unexpected benefits for your own well-being.