There is a quote by Jen Sincero that states, “If you want to live a life you’ve never lived, you have to do things you’ve never done.” This has never been more true. This past year has been filled with so many things I’ve never done and learning to play golf was at the top of that list!
LEARN TO PLAY GOLF? SURE WHY NOT.
It was September 2023 and I was scrolling through Instagram. I randomly saw a post for a female golf clinic that was happening at my local golf course.
As a busy wife and mother of two small children (who were 3 and 4 years old at the time) I was searching for a hobby, something that would allow me to have some “me time.” If you’re a parent, “me time” is something you can definitely understand…LOL! I will admit that golf was not on my radar at all but when I saw the Instagram post I became curious. I had always enjoyed going to places like Topgolf and playing at miniature golf courses for fun but that’s as far as it went.
Honestly, I never really thought golf was for me. As we all know, it’s a male dominated sport, but besides that I never saw anyone that looked like “me” playing golf. But as I looked through the Fore the Ladies Instagram page I started to see women who did look like “me.” They were taking lessons and having fun as they learned how to play golf. It’s amazing what representation does! And with that, I was sold on the golf clinic.
FORE THE LADIES GOLF CLINIC: A NEW GOLFER WAS BORN
To my surprise the Fore the Ladies Golf Clinic was amazing. It was truly a vibe. The golf course supplied clubs for us to use which made things easy and a lot less isolating for a newbie like myself. Being surrounded by other women who, like myself, never thought playing golf was a real option, was empowering to say the least. Everyone there was a beginner and/or first timer. It felt like a safe and judge free zone. Girl power was on full display and I enjoyed every minute of it.
The golf instructors were patient and knowledgeable. They taught us how to use the driver and irons. Even showing us how to use our wedges to make chip shots onto the green.
THE FIRST TIME I HIT THE GOLF BALL = FALLING IN LOVE WITH GOLF
As we rotated through each lesson I slowly started to feel a connection with golf. I was really starting to like it. Chipping onto the green was fun but my life was changed once we rotated to the driving range to learn how to use the driver.
The instructor showed us how to stand and hold the golf club. Then we learned how to swing and hit the golf ball. Saying I looked a hot mess is an understatement. As I started swinging, I was hitting everything but the ball. I hit the air, the ground and I think I even hit myself! But after several, we’ll just call them “practice swings,” I finally hit the ball. I made actual contact with the ball. Now, the ball didn’t go super far or straight but I hit it. And in that moment, I fell in love with golf. From the sound the golf club made when striking the ball to the way my body felt hitting the ball, I knew this was going to be my hobby. Golf would officially be my “me time.”
5 TIPS FOR BEGINNER GOLFERS
This past year has been filled with challenges. I didn’t grow up or around people who played golf so when I started, I started from scratch! These 5 tips are things I learned along the way and will hopefully give you a head start on your golf journey.
TIP #1: START WITH YOUR SHORT GAME FIRST
There is a saying in golf, “Drive for Show, Putt for Dough.” Which basically means that although hitting your driver off of the tee is great to watch (and honestly it’s the more glamorous side of golf content) but your short game is what really makes a difference. Learning and mastering how to chip and putt will lower your score.
A golf instructor once told me that 80% of your golf practice session should consist of chipping and putting. The other 20% is everything else. So when you go to the driving range, start with chipping and putting FIRST. Then make your way to the range to practice your driver, irons and woods.
TIP #2: BUY USED GOLF CLUBS
Golf is only as expensive as you allow it to be. If you want to learn how to play golf DO NOT go out and buy expensive golf clubs. Especially if it’s something you are just wanting to try out. You’ll 100% regret it.
Start with used golf clubs first. A good place to start is by looking online, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and eBay just to name a few. You should also add stores like the Goodwill and Salvation Army to the list. People tend to donate golf accessories so make sure you check those places out. There a several stores that specialize in used golf equipment, which is great for beginners as the employees can walk you through the type of equipment you’ll need to get started. Once you have been bitten by the golf bug then go out and upgrade your set of golf clubs.
TIP #3: START WITH A PAR 3 COURSE
Going back to rule number one, short game is KING! Par 3 golf courses force you to level up and hone in on your short game. These courses can be played using just your irons, wedges and a putter. You technically don’t need a driver as the yardages on Par 3 courses are shorter.
Par 3 golf courses are great for beginner golfers. They typically don’t have a lot of challenges and or hazards that tend to intimidate beginners.
TIP #4: PLAY BAD FAST
If you’re a beginner golfer get ready to hear the phrase “pace of play.” This is something you will hear A LOT. It basically means that you don’t have forever to play each golf hole. The majority of the courses I have been too the “pace of play” is around 15 minutes per hole. Meaning you have roughly 15 minutes to get the golf ball from the tee, to the green and into the hole. Sounds stressful right? Yeah, it is…LOL!
Golf has a lot of moving parts and most beginners will be, well, slow. Which is completely okay. That’s why you’ll hear the phrase, “play bad fast.” Which means, yes you suck. Yes, you’re still learning. But don’t take all day sucking.
If you can’t hit the ball far and you’re on your fifth or sixth attempt to hit the ball from the fairway to the green, it’s completely okay to pick up your ball and move to the next hole. If you’re on your fifth or sixth attempt to putt the ball and still can’t make it in the hole, it’s completely okay to pick up your ball and move to the next hole.
Everyone at some point will play bad. Just learn to do it fast!
TIP #5: LET GO OF THE DRIVING RANGE
Most beginner golfers get analysis paralysis. They stay on the driving range either over analyzing their golf swing or putting off the inevitable. Which is making the leap from the driving range to the actual golf course.
The problem is this, the conditions on the driving range are perfect. The conditions on the golf course are not. You don’t have unlimited swings to get it right and you have to factor in hills, high grass, pace of play etc. You can spend forever perfecting your swing on the driving range only to find out that what you do on the driving range doesn’t always translate onto the golf course. So the only real way to learn how to play golf is to actually play on the golf course itself.
Use the driving range to “practice” and to warm up your body but don’t put too much weight on it. Rip off the bandaid and get onto the golf course!
BONUS TIP: YOU’RE NOT THAT GOOD TO BE THAT MAD!
Early in my golf journey I heard someone say, “You’re not that good, to be that mad.” At first it made me laugh but then I realized it’s a phrase about perspective. If you’re not a professional and/or amateur golfer then you’re average or in my case, below average. If you’re playing for fun and not trying to be Tiger Woods, then learn to RELAX!
I see, way to often, golfers getting extremely upset on the golf course because they didn’t like how they played or they didn’t shoot a low enough score. Again, if you’re not trying to turn pro, then you need to realize that you’re not that good to be that mad.
As you begin your golf journey, keep this phrase in mind. It has really helped me keep things into perspective. I play golf for the love of the game, so what is the point of getting mad and highly upset. Golf is meant to be enjoyed. So enjoy it!
SEE YOU ON THE GREEN!
Golf has allowed me to travel, meet new people and challenge myself in the most positive of ways. Walking into year two of my golf journey is very surreal. I can’t wait to see what this next year brings. See you on the green!
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