Golf: Playing the Long Game

According to the National Golf Foundation, 40% of new golfers who took up the game during the COVID-19 pandemic were…drumroll, please…women! In fact, the number of girl golfers (ages 11 to 18) increased from 15% in 2000 to 34% in 2021 and the awarding of female college golf scholarships is one of the fastest growing award areas in the past year.1 So, why golf? First of all, golf is incredible exercise, combining elements of strength, endurance, aerobic fitness, balance, core stability and flexibility. For example, a golfer who walks an 18-hole course may take up to 17,000 steps and a golfer who rides the course on a cart will still take around 6300 steps. Additionally, the act of concentrating on a golf swing contributes to improved balance and the swing itself can improve core flexibility.2 Equally as important as the physical benefits to golf are the mental ones. Contrary to popular belief, golf is proven to reduce stress and anxiety. It gets one outside of the office and gives one an excuse to be one with nature. Plus, golf is a social game. Playing a round of golf is a great way to network with colleagues and customers or spend some downtime with friends. All good stuff but how does one get started with golf? We talked with Cheryl Heckman, owner of Manor Golf Club in Sinking Spring, to find out how women can tee off.

How did you get started on your golf journey?

“I worked in the banking industry which at that time was very male-dominated,” Heckman explains. “I was really scared the first time I went golfing. But I quickly fell in love with it!”

Manor Golf Club and W2W will offer three golf clinic sessions this summer. What can women expect to learn?

Heckman says the most important thing women will learn is to “untimidate the game.” She continues, “Number one, we take away the intimidation. You are not as bad as you think you are. Number two, the people you see on the course are not as good as you think they are.” The sessions are modeled on the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) program “Get Golf Ready” which is designed to attract new players to the game, specifically women and seniors. Each lesson combines basic golf skills (example, putting) with golf etiquette, rules and terms. The last lesson gives participants a chance to put their new-found skills to work out on the course during a scramble match.

“The clinics are open to beginners as well as golfers who want to improve. We provide clubs and golf balls; you simply show up with an open mind!”

What advice do you have for women who are hesitant to get into the swing of golf?

“Take a leap of faith and give it a try,” Heckman encourages. “The whole industry is open and welcome to new learners.” She also advises, “Grab a friend to learn with, make it a social game. These clinics provide a great opportunity to get out of your comfort zone with other women.”

She concludes, “You don’t have to be a good golfer to have fun with it!” 2 By Kirsten P. Haas, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Berks

1“Women’s Golf is Booming Amid COVID-19” by Joan Kuhl, August 9, 2021 https://www.msnbc.com/know-your-value/women-s-golf-booming-amidcovid-19-n1276354 2“6 Health Benefits That Prove Golf is Great Exercise for Your Body and

Mind”, Allie Flinn, August 17, 2021, https://www.wellandgood.com/healthbenefits-golf/

Manor Golf Club and W2W will offer golf clinics in three sessions (each session is the same):

June 6, 13, 20, 27 July 11, 18, 25, August 1 August 8, 15, 22, 29 Sign up at www.themanorgolfclub.com under “Get Golf Ready” or call 610-334-8690

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