Playing Golf Just to Play: Embodying the Jester Archetype
- Troy Ismir
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
In my upcoming book, Presence Golf: A Sacred Path to Self-Mastery, I draw upon three transformative frameworks: Raja Yoga, The Beatitudes, and Carl Jung’s Archetypes. Through Presence Golf, I invite you to explore golf as a spiritual journey of Self-mastery, an inner pilgrimage toward deeper awareness, authenticity, and joy.
Carl Jung’s archetypes are universal symbols embedded within the collective unconscious—patterns of human behavior that serve as blueprints of the soul. When applied to golf, these archetypes offer a powerful lens through which we can understand and transcend our fears, desires, and motivations. Presence Golf teaches us how to embody these archetypes on the course, moving beyond ego, embracing our wholeness, and mastering the game of life.
Embodying the Jester – Divine Play and Sacred Fun
As I bring this book to life, my personal work is to embody these teachings. My vision for Presence Golf is to be a living, breathing expression of how I play golf and live life. It’s about mastering the Self—not the scorecard—and experiencing the joy of the game with child-like freedom and delight.
Last Friday, I played at one of my favorite courses, Red Hawk Ridge in Castle Rock, Colorado. My intention for the round was simple yet profound: to embody the Jester archetype. To play golf just to play golf—to experience joy in the present moment, detached from outcomes, and immersed in the sheer enjoyment of the game.
I prepared the night before with meditation and journaling. What emerged was a powerful intention:
“Embody the Jester. Play golf just to play golf. Experience joy in the present moment. Be fully in the shot. Let go of expectations. Enjoy the people and surroundings I love. Keep my Presence scorecard.”
I crafted two mantras to guide me through the round:
“Divine play… Sacred fun.”
“Holy joy in every swing.”
Meeting the Jester on the Course
When I arrived at the course, I was paired with three strangers—a couple of brothers and another man I happened to play with randomly last summer. This was perfect. The Jester thrives on new experiences and spontaneous connections.
With my mantras echoing in my mind and the Jester archetype firmly in my soul, I teed off with the words, “Holy joy in every swing.”
I started the round on fire. For the first four holes, I was one under par. Effortless, flowing, divine play. And then, it happened.
The dreaded shank.
I had 70 yards into an accessible pin after a great drive. Suddenly, the ball exploded off the hosel and veered straight to the right. The flow state shattered. My score quickly ballooned from one under to four over in two holes.
Was I disappointed? Of course. But this round wasn’t about the score. It was about embodying the Jester. And even when the shots went awry, the Jester laughed.
Finding Joy in the Chaos
Golf is the perfect game to practice the art of the Jester. I laughed at myself when another bunker swallowed my ball, refusing to release it.
The old me would have been embarrassed, frustrated, and crushed under the weight of my own expectations. But with the Jester by my side, I was able to shrug it off and move to the next hole with ease.
There’s something beautiful about playing with people who share a similar light-heartedness. As the round progressed, our group’s energy became playful, supportive, and joy-filled. We exchanged knuckle bumps and laughed at the absurdity of bad shots. We cheered each other’s successes, and gently ribbed each other’s mishaps. It was pure, divine fun.
“This is what spring golf is supposed to be all about—fun.”
One of the guys remarked on the 15th tee, “This is what spring golf is supposed to be all about—fun.”
I smiled. That’s what life is supposed to be about. Divine play and sacred fun.
The child-like laughter and joy echoed around us. Four men, who began as strangers, became One. That’s the magic of Presence Golf. The intention to embody the Jester brought our group together in joyful connection.
A Round to Remember
I played golf just to play. I touched moments of flow. I experienced holy joy in almost every swing. I lost Presence at times, but that’s okay. It’s not about perfection. It’s about soul evolution.
The Jester in me felt fulfilled. Golf can be seen as frivolous or a waste of time, but for me, it’s a way to express joy and creativity in nature. It’s a way to experience the freedom of simply Being.
Did I have a final score at the end of the round? Yes. But did it matter? Absolutely not. This was the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course.
Can You Embody the Jester?
What would it look like for you to embody the Jester in your own life? To laugh, to play, to dance with the absurdity of life’s challenges and celebrate its delights?
The Jester archetype invites us to remember that golf—and life—is meant to be enjoyed. It’s about playing just to play. Living just to live.
In Presence Golf: A Sacred Path to Self-Mastery, I will be diving deeper into the teachings of the Jester and all the archetypes. As I continue to walk this path, I invite you to walk it with me.
Presence Golf Soul Journal
Reflect on your own Jester journey by using the Soul-Reflection Journal:
Today I am proud of: Starting the round in the flow state.
A challenge I faced: Getting trapped by another bunker.
A moment I felt pure joy or flow: Knuckle bumps, laughter, and celebrating the joy of the game.
What I learned about myself today: I can play golf just to play. I don’t need to add anything to it.
My intention for the next round: Trust my swing after a poor shot.
In stillness and strength,
Troy Ismir
Presence-Based Golf Teacher
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