I have read countless stories about how people feel golf has saved their lives, figuratively anyways. Stories of tragedies, over coming addiction, etc. where the only solace people had was on a golf course. One guys wife and 2 kids were hit and killed in an accident and he dealt with it by golfing in every state or something. Golf courses can be and often are in beautiful places. They are open spaces, and make a nice back drop for contemplative thought. If walking, depending on the course, a mountain colorado course for example, would essentially be like hiking with hitting a ball attached. It wouldnt seem weird if someone was hiking to deal with loss, its similar believe it or not. To a golfer like me who might play as much as 3 to 5 times a week year in and year out, its probably a little deeper intwined in my life than would be obvious. Would it help you to understand if you knew he probably dedicated that shot to his kid, felt it going in was his kid responding from above, and that he probably spent five minutes there on his hands and knees crying. When a ball goes in a little hole from 150 yards or so, divine intervention is definitely in play. I'm not being critical of you if anything I'm trying to help you understand that this game is deeply tied to those of us who play it. Stories about the death of children always hit me very hard and I appreciate you posting this as a reminder to realize how blessed we all are.