My Newest Hobby: Golf
**This article may contain affiliate links on which I may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I have a lot of hobbies, and I enjoy many different fitness activities, but golf was never on my radar. I grew up watching my Dad spend weekends and spare days off on the golf course. He has always loved the game, and I have always watched from afar with a “that’s good for you” attitude and had zero interest in trying what appeared to be the most boring game. Unlike many of my other hobbies that grew organically, this is not how golf started for me. Quite the opposite, this was born out of an invitation to participate in a golf tournament that never actually happened. Me, not wanting to participate having zero experience, decided that if I was going to do this, I needed to take lessons. Now, after having taken 5 weeks of lessons, here are my favorite things about my newest hobby.
Fitness and a Challenge
Golf is much harder than it looks! I had no idea that there are different hand and feet placements for different swings- I am still trying to remember which one to use when! The swing also requires much more finesse and precision than I imagined. Learning the nuances of golf technique has been a fun challenge, and a fun new way to get in movement! It works out your core, hamstrings and back, and you get your steps in walking a lot on the course.
Cute Golf Outfits and Golf Gear
I was thinking about golf all wrong, because had I realized the cute outfits and gear I was missing out on, it would not have taken me so long to come around. Here are all the things I bought to kit myself out as a beginner:
1. Golf dresses and skirts with pockets (for your ball and phone)
I believe that if you feel good about your look, it makes the experience so much more fun. I like to “look the part” on the course, but there are practical necessities about having a cute golf outfit, that is also functional to play a game outside. I bought a cute set from golf apparel company, Rhone (linked HERE and also HERE on sale from Nordstrom Rack) and a few options from Amazon. Having tried them all, the golf dress and skirt from Amazon are my favorite things to wear on the course. The Rhone set is super soft, but it ended up looking terribly wrinkled by the end of 9 holes.
2. Golf Shoes
Some courses require spikeless golf shoes, or do not permit golf shoes with metal spikes. You may be able to get away with wearing regular sneakers, but it can be slippery and golf shoes will provide stability and traction.
3. Golf Clubs
You can share or rent golf clubs at courses until you are ready to invest in your own. Some golf courses do not permit sharing clubs, and you may just want your own. I purchased used clubs from Golf Roots. I first purchased a starter set but quickly chose to upgrade to a used full set because I wanted more club options. I am very happy with my choice to purchase used clubs. It saved money, and they seem to be much better quality than the options available on Amazon or Dick’s.
4. Golf Bag
Maybe one of my favorite purchases, I really wanted this bag from Sunday Golf- even if I could have just bought clubs that came with a bag.
Buying a set that includes a bag is a great idea to potentially save money and get everything all at once. However, if you want a super cute bag, I highly recommend Sunday Golf.
I bought the Loma Par 3 bag linked below and pictured right- it says it fits 4-6 clubs, but I was able to fit my full set. It is lightweight, has a stand and is super easy to carry around. It also has a handy Velcro strap for your glove and lots of great pockets for water, sunblock and all of my other accessories and personal items.
5. Golf Markers
When I was asked to bring a marker to my lesson, I thought they meant an actual marker to write down my scores (LOL). I soon learned that they meant a golf marker, which you use to mark the place of your ball when playing with others.
After you have hit your balls on the green, the person whose ball is furthest out is supposed to go first. Everyone else marks their ball to save their place in case someone else hits their ball in the same line. There are so many cute golf ball marker options- hello, Etsy for very cute custom designs! I had a hard time deciding but went with a fun custom one to pay homage to Happy Gilmore and THIS set of three because they are so pretty. These are also magnetic, and you have the option to purchase them with a hat clip. I love the hat clip and being able to quickly attach/grab the magnetic marker from my hat without hunting for it!
Nature- Time Outdoors
Morning sunrise in front of a golf cart
I love hiking, running and walking outside- especially when the weather is nice. I underestimated how much of golf is just this- walking or standing around outdoors. If the weather is not nice, or you’re golfing in a not-so-nice place, this may not be the experience. However, if you can go out on a nice day or visit a nice course, it is a great way to spend time outside and enjoy nature.
Taking lessons and meeting new people
As an adult who works from home, I find it hard to socialize and meet new people. I signed up for a ladies course at my local club and had a great experience. I was very intimidated to go golfing because I didn’t know what I was doing. Taking lessons was perfect because it got me out of the house, taught me basic rules of the game, and introduced me to some cool new people. I had a great time and was hooked from the first couple of lessons on putting and chipping. I still have a lot to learn, but after 5 weeks, I feel good enough to join people for a round of golf. Maybe this will come in handy for work one day!
If you have been intimidated to try golf, I hope these insights from my experience inspire you to give it a try. I’d love to know if you are a golf girlie or have another current favorite hobby?!