Women

It is a perfect time to start golfing!

Ididn’t start playing golf until my early 30’s when I finally couldn’t say ‘no’ to an industry golf function any longer. I was nervous. Golf seemed like some mysterious ‘thing’ to me that few women, especially my age, took part in. I got up to the first tee and, having never swung a club before, swung and missed the ball completely. Nothing in my previous sports experience with softball or volleyball gave me any help. I had no idea what I was doing when it came to swinging the club. While I played terrible golf that day, I became hooked. Between sun on my face, the casual networking, the challenge of this new sport where my only competition was really myself – I fell in love. I took some lessons; I kept playing and I got better at it. Golf is now my favorite pastime. I love to play, and I love to introduce other women to the game. And now is a perfect time for women to take up the game. Why you say? I’ll tell you.

The Business Case

Business relationships are born, and deals do happen on the golf course. According to Forbes, an estimated 90% of Fortune 500 CEOs play golf, and 80% of executives say playing golf enables them to establish new business associations. Golf provides a casual environment to network and relax with colleagues outside of the boardroom. An average game lasts between three and four and a half hours and provides plenty of time to learn more about your colleagues on a social level as well! Did I mention you get to be outside, not stuck in an office? Business discussions can happen much more organically throughout the day as everyone relaxes and starts to have fun. Along with that, the golf course can be the great equalizer. At times, you might even outplay even the most high-level C-Suite executive. There is no hierarchy on the course. Someone playing for 30 years can be just as good (or bad) as someone playing for 3 years. Golf really is fascinating in that way. Passion & The Mental Game

For me, golf is a mental game. It keeps me stimulated, intrigued, and focused more than any other activity I’ve experienced. To that end, golf can be whatever you make of it. When I am having a bad day, I golf. When I am having a great day, I golf. The most exciting thing about golf to me is the ability to leave it all on the course. If I have a terrible golf game, there’s no penalty (outside of my personal handicap changing). As an amateur, there are plenty of days that I don’t

even keep score so I can focus on technique or just releasing stress. Golf is flexible like that.

A Perfect Pandemic Pastime

The last 12 months have been difficult for all of us, and many of our normal activities have yet to resume. In many places throughout the world, golf has been able to stay open. It is by nature a physically distanced sport. Without sharing equipment, golf is the perfect way to get outside and stay stimulated-mentally and physically!

Women often feel intimidated by the course, the rules, and the environment. Maybe you don’t want to be seen as a newbie or are afraid of not understanding all the rules. However, I ask that you give yourself an opportunity to discover the love of golfing. Looking for a new hobby? Need a stress-reducer? Find your own reason (or no reason at all) and just take the plunge. Most courses and practice facilities are very accommodating to new players. Beginners lessons are a great way to learn not only the fundamentals, but the basic rules and golf etiquette. Golf can connect us and can bring us together. I’ve met so many incredible people on the course that I wouldn’t have met any other way (I’ve expanded my networking exponentially)! Golf is a sport of resiliency and connection, and we could also use a bit more of that right now. •