Dream First, Play Later

Geography, Golf, and the Spirit of Exploration
I’ve always been wired with a love for geography. If I would have known you could make a living as a geographer, I probably would have taken that road. But golf photography became my way of exploring the world — and, for the last forty years, I’ve been lucky enough to photograph more than 1,800 courses across 50 countries.
Here’s the thing: geography isn’t just about where we’ve been. It’s about where we want to go. And golfers, maybe more than anyone, are explorers at heart. We all have a list — the places that tug at us, the courses we dream of walking one day.

“You Can’t Be What You Can’t See”
One lesson that shaped my entire career is simple: “You can’t be what you can’t see.”
Over the years, I can’t count how many times I drove past a golf club or resort that I longed to photograph. Sometimes, all I did was jot the name down or lock it into my memory. But that act alone set things in motion. Almost without fail, those courses eventually became my clients.
Just naming the dream made it real. Just seeing the vision made it possible.

The same principle holds true for golfers. If you want to play St Andrews, Bandon Dunes, Cape Kidnappers, or Royal County Down — why not let that dream live on your wall until the day it becomes your tee time?

Why Aspirational Golf Art Belongs in Your Simulator Room
Think about it: we hang golf art for memories. But what about the walls where you practice your game — your putting green, your simulator room, your office?
Most people hang a photo of where they’ve been, like a souvenir t-shirt. But I’d argue the more powerful choice is a photograph of where you want to go.Every time you look up, you’re reminded of the course that calls your name. It’s a daily nudge to save, to plan, to dream — and eventually, to make it real.
That’s the power of aspirational art. It isn’t just décor. It’s direction.

Living Wide
I recently came across the story of a man battling leukemia. Instead of retreating inward, he launched a foundation called “Live Wide.” The idea was simple: do everything in your power to make the most of each day, to experience as much as you can while you have the time.

That struck me. Because aspiration — in golf and in life — isn’t about fantasy. It’s about living wide. It’s about choosing to chase down the courses, the trips, and the experiences that matter to you.

Final Thought
Golf art doesn’t have to be just a scrapbook of where you’ve been. It can be a compass, pointing toward where you’re going.
So here’s my challenge: don’t just hang the memories. Hang the dream. See it, believe it, and one day, you’ll walk those fairways for real.

After all, you can’t be what you can’t see.

See more moments where golf and life come together — visit GolfAsLife.com to explore the full collection: www.golfaslife.com

Mike Klemme is a golf course photographer whose 40-year career has taken him to nearly 50 countries and over 1,800 courses. He photographed two books for Golf Magazine (Grand Slam Golf and Golf Resorts of the World) and served on the Golf Magazine Top 100 Courses in the World panel from 1990–2020. His current project, Golf As Life, blends imagery and stories at www.golfaslife.com.