What I’m Learning as a Beginner Golfer

Golf has been around my family for years. My parents, my brother and my husband all played, and my oldest son started playing when he was around 12. But for a long time, I was a single mother, busy raising my family and working. Between kids, work and everything that comes with building a life, there simply wasn’t much time left for golf.

Golf just wasn’t my season yet.

Now, at 63, I’m a newer golfer and still learning every time I step onto the course. I’ve taken lessons and continue to work on my game, but I’m also learning how to play while dealing with back and neck injuries. That has made me much more aware of how important strength, mobility and taking care of my body are if I want to keep playing for years to come.

Some days everything clicks. Other days, the ball seems to have plans of its own. 😂 But somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the game and the outfits.

I’ve discovered that learning golf isn’t just about perfecting a swing. It’s about finding what works for your body, having the right equipment, building confidence and learning to laugh at the bad shots.

I’m not a golf pro, and I’m not going to pretend to be one. This is simply what I’m learning along the way, what has helped me, and what I wish someone had told me when I started.

You Don’t Have to Grow Up Playing Golf

For a while, I think I assumed golf was one of those games you needed to grow up playing if you ever wanted to be any good at it. I was surrounded by people who had played for years, so being a beginner could feel a little intimidating.

What I’ve learned is that not growing up with the game doesn’t mean you can’t become a golfer. You’re simply starting from a different place.

I take lessons, I practice, and I play about twice a week. Some things are starting to feel more natural, while others still have me wondering why something that looks so simple can be so difficult. 😂

I’ve also learned not to compare my game to someone who has been playing for 5, 10, 20, 30 or 40 years. My goal isn’t to catch up with them. It’s to keep getting better at my game, enjoy being outside, spend time with friends and make new ones along the way.

It’s never too late to be a beginner at something you might end up loving.

The Right Equipment Makes a Difference

When I started playing, I assumed I just needed a set of golf clubs and some patience. I quickly learned there’s a little more to it than that.

My first set was a beginner set, and it did exactly what it needed to do. It got me onto the golf course. But as I played more, I started figuring out which clubs worked for me and which ones definitely did not. My 3-wood and I, for example, have agreed to see other people. 😂

Hybrids have become some of my favorite clubs because I find them easier and more forgiving to hit. As my game has developed (sort of), I’ve also upgraded my irons and learned more about things like shaft flex, club length, grips and how the makeup of my bag should fit my game.

I’m still learning what works for me, and I think that’s the important part. You don’t need to buy an expensive new set of clubs just because you’ve decided to take up golf. Start playing. Take some lessons. Pay attention to which clubs give you confidence and which ones consistently give you trouble.

The best golf clubs aren’t necessarily the newest or most expensive. They’re the ones that help you enjoy playing your game.

Your Body Matters More Than You Think

One thing I didn’t fully appreciate when I started playing was how physical golf actually is. It may not look like a workout when you’re watching it, but after swinging a club for 9 or 18 holes, your body will happily explain otherwise. 😂

I have back and neck injuries that I have to work around, so I’ve had to learn that I can’t simply force my body to make a golf swing that doesn’t work for me. Taking lessons has helped, but so has paying more attention to strength, flexibility and mobility.

At 63, my goal isn’t to train like a 25-year-old athlete. I want to be stronger, move better and keep doing the things I enjoy. Golf has actually given me another reason to work on those things.

I’m learning that a little work off the course can make a difference on the course. Building strength, improving balance and staying mobile can help me feel better when I play and, hopefully, keep me playing for a very long time.

And I’ve also learned to listen to my body. There’s a difference between challenging yourself and doing something that hurts. Some days you modify. Some days you rest. And some days you play great golf and wonder where that person has been hiding. 😂

For me, getting stronger isn’t about chasing a younger version of myself. It’s about taking care of the version of me who still has a lot of golf left to play.

Golf Is About More Than the Score

When I first started playing, I didn’t really keep score. I was more focused on learning how to hit the ball, getting around the course and figuring out what I was doing. It wasn’t until early this year that I started keeping score regularly.

And that changed things a little. 😂

I’m pretty competitive by nature, so once I started keeping score, of course I wanted those numbers to come down. I want to improve. I want more consistent shots, fewer balls heading toward places I absolutely did not intend them to go, and I definitely notice when I shoot a better score.

But I’m also learning there’s a whole lot more to a good round of golf than what ends up on the scorecard.

Some of my favorite days on the course aren’t necessarily my best rounds. They’re the days when I hit one shot that makes me think, Okay, maybe I really can do this. 😂 They’re also the days spent outside, laughing, enjoying the scenery and spending time with my husband and friends.

Golf has a wonderful social side that I didn’t fully appreciate until I started playing. You get to spend time with friends you already have, and you meet new people along the way. There’s something about spending a few hours together on a golf course that makes it pretty easy to get to know someone.

Of course, I also enjoy the clothes. I’m not going to pretend that part doesn’t matter. 😂 A cute golf outfit may not improve my swing, but I’m convinced feeling good when you step onto the course doesn’t hurt.

What I’m learning is that I can be competitive and still enjoy the process. A bad hole doesn’t have to ruin a round, and a bad round doesn’t mean I’m not improving. Sometimes the win is a great drive, a putt I didn’t think I could make, or simply realizing that something I’ve been practicing is finally starting to click.

I want to get better every time I play. But I’m learning that golf can be both a challenge (big time) and something I simply love doing. ⛳️💚

Still Learning, Still Playing

I’m still very much a beginner. I have good rounds, bad rounds and plenty of shots that leave me wondering what in the world just happened. 😂 But I keep coming back.

Maybe that’s what I like most about golf. There’s always something to learn, something to work on and a reason to believe the next round might be a little better than the last.

If you’re thinking about learning to play golf, don’t let your experience level or the fact that everyone else seems to know what they’re doing stop you. Take a lesson. Find some clubs that work for you. Play with people who make it fun. And give yourself permission to be a beginner.

I started later than a lot of people, and I have a long way to go.

But I’m having a heck of a lot of fun getting there. ⛳️💚