Let me start by saying, I love to play golf. I’ve been playing golf on and off for about ten years, and I enjoy it almost every time I play. I first stumbled upon golf as a sport for me when I played in a tournament for work some years back. I was not good, quite bad, in fact, but I still got out there and tried. The more I played, the more I improved. Taking golf lessons and playing golf with friends who knew how to play helped me improve my game. I’m still not a great golfer by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m decent now and love the fun, camaraderie, and yes, the competitiveness of the game.
If you are thinking about golf as something to do for exercise or to meet new people, go for it. There are many women out there playing golf at all skill levels, so join them and have some fun. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Find a group you can join
The LPGA Amateur Golf Association is a great organization, and they have chapters all over the country. Local LPGA Amateur Chapters offer playtimes throughout the week, depending on how big the chapter is in your area, and some even offer a variety of clinics to improve your skills.
Local golf clubs usually have women’s groups as well, but you may need to be a member. Be sure to check with the pro at the club.
Join a golf country club
There are a ton of golf courses in the US and around the world. The cost to join one varies as much as the locations of the golf clubs do. Not all clubs charge thousands of dollars for memberships; smaller local clubs usually charge much less to join and offer benefits to go with it, such as member tee times, free play, preferred pricing on carts, and golf equipment. My suggestion is to play a few locations and find a club that you like, then decide if you want to join. I don’t have a club membership as I play with the local LPGA Amateur group, and we play at a variety of courses in the general area. If you want to stay on the same course all the time, you may want to consider joining a club.
Take some lessons
I would highly recommend lessons to get you started. As with golf clubs, the prices for lessons vary widely, so shop around at the various clubs. If you start playing with a group like LPGA Amateur Golf Association, some of the women in the group may have recommendations on reasonably priced lessons in the area. If I had it to do over again, I would get lessons early when I first started playing, then play for a while, and give myself time to figure it all out. Then go back for more lessons to improve my skills. One year, I went for lessons and shaved twenty strokes off my score by the end of the season. Apparently, I just needed to tweak a few things. I still rarely break a hundred, but I have fun and am respectable.
The cost of a round of golf
As with the other items above, a round of golf (9 or 18 holes) will vary greatly by the club, location, time of day, number of holes you play, etc. Generally, you are looking at anywhere from $28 to $100 or more depending on the club. If you are part of a group, you will probably receive a discount as well.
I like to play on my own sometimes, it’s quiet, and I can focus on improving my game. Generally, late afternoons are more peaceful, although hotter, but if you don’t mind the heat, go for it. Most courses offer twilight rates too, which start around 2 p.m. Check the course where you play.
Don’t forget to ask for a senior rate if you qualify. It will save you a few dollars, and they add up over time if you are playing frequently.
Golf Attire
It depends on the club where you play. Typically shorts and a collared shirt will do, not jeans. Sleeveless shirts are fine; however, you will need a collar. You will also want to get a golf glove. They are usually leather, but lighter in weight, some are even made with a mesh back to be cooler. Just be sure you shop to get the right fit. The people at the golf course can usually guide you in size, but you may pay a little more buying there, so be aware.
Golf Shoes
Golf shoes, as with any athletic shoe, are essential to get right. Fit matters. While you may be riding in a cart most of the time, you will do some walking, probably quite a bit—some up and down hills, etc. You want to be sure your shoe fits comfortably and that it gives you room to maneuver without jamming your toes or your heel slipping. When you find a shoe you like, check to see if the cleats on the bottom are replaceable. They do wear out from season to season, depending on how much you play. You can either replace the cleats or the shoes as they wear out. You will be glad for the cleats when you have to stand on a hillside to hit your ball.
Golf shoe styles vary widely, just like tennis shoes. Shopping for shoes that fit your style can be fun, but don’t forget about the functionality part.
Golf Clubs
The first few times you play golf, I would recommend either borrowing some clubs or renting some, often golf courses will rent clubs. Either option will give you a chance to see if you like the game enough to buy your own set of clubs. When I started playing, after deciding I wanted to continue, I purchased a starter set of clubs. Several manufacturers make them, and they are a good choice for beginners. I started with a Callaway Golf Starter set and used them for quite some time. Eventually, as I improved, I replaced the clubs. Now I use Nike Irons, a Ping putter, and a Cobra driver. I’m pretty happy with my clubs now and will use them for several years.
Starter sets generally cost in the $200 – $300 range, but shop around, look for discounts or special promotions.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I love to play golf. I don’t get to play as much as I would like, but I thoroughly enjoy it when I do. Golfing is a great way to meet new friends, get outside for exercise, and still enjoy some competition without too much risk of injury. Golf clubs tend to be very well maintained, have some of the most beautiful scenery in the area, and are peaceful and quiet.
If you are thinking, wow, that sounds great but expensive, don’t forget to look for the discounts I mentioned above, use borrowed clubs, play with a group or in the late afternoon for cheaper rates and so on. You will be glad you did.
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