Golden studied under regionalist painter and teacher John McCrady in the French Quarter of New Orleans after finishing a four-year stint in the United States Navy during the Korean War, graduating in 1957.

[5] Golden was a very sickly child and spent much of his time in bed – he was not expected to live past his teenage years because he was asthmatic and anemic.

"I didn't realize it at the time," Rolland told Southwest Art magazine[7] in 1978, "but the beauty of the rural South was making quite an impact on my young mind.

"[8][9] Golden left college after only one semester to join the United States Navy, before being drafted, to fight the Korean War.

[7][8][9] Golden was a member of such art leagues as the Watercolor USA Honor Society (past Vice-President), The National Arts Club, National Watercolor Society, California, and Allied Artists of America, New York.