So You Want to Start Playing Golf?

So You Want to Start Playing Golf (and Actually Enjoy It)

Apparently, golf is one of those sports that’ll humble you real quick. 

One minute you’re convinced you’ve nailed your swing, and the next you’re watching your ball fly dramatically… in the wrong direction. But once it gets under your skin, it’s game over. You're hooked.

We sat down with our resident golf gal (Rochelle), and the epic golf enthusiast that is Nadine Uerata to chat about what they wish they’d known when they started. From surviving your first few rounds, to avoiding total embarrassment on the green, here’s their best advice for beginners.

First thing’s first: figure out why you want to play.

For Nadine, golf’s the perfect excuse to disappear for a few hours. No emails, no errands — just fresh air, a few swings, and the occasional reminder that patience is, in fact, a skill. It’s her version of a reset button (with snacks) and with a little self competitiveness on the side.

For Rochelle, it’s all about good company and good movement you can continue all the way through to her golden years. Golf gets her outside, keeps her active, and gives her an excuse to hang out with the people she loves,  sometimes even under the guise of networking… (covering golf membership fees as a tax expense).

Because really, golf isn’t just a game. It’s fresh air, laughter, and a reminder that even a bad round is still a good day out.

Secondly, it's important to find your people from the get-go. Golf’s a lot more fun when you’ve got a crew who get it. The kind that clap when you make contact (any contact), laugh when you don’t, and always have snacks or a cold drink on standby.

If you can, get a lesson early. A bit of guidance at the start will save you from developing habits that’ll haunt you later (speaking from experience). And don’t panic about fancy clubs, second-hand or borrowed ones will do the trick while you figure out what suits you. Trust us, spending ridiculous money on clubs just to give up after a few weeks isn’t a great feeling…

And most importantly, be kind to yourself.

You’re learning.

There’ll be rounds where you feel unstoppable and others where you’re mostly just collecting lost balls. Both are part of the process.

Once you’re out there, remember a few basics:

• Where your feet are pointing is where your ball’s likely to go. Use your club to check and adjust if needed.

• Keep your head down and eyes on the ball through your swing (yes, even when you’re dying to look).

• Move your weight with your swing — right foot as you go up, left as you come down if you’re right-handed.

• Take a couple of practice shots and try to skim the grass; it helps you connect cleanly.

• And finally, if your ball ends up behind a tree, it’s fine to move it to the fairway. We won’t tell anyone.

There’s a rhythm to golf that’s more about respect than rules. Keep things moving, and everyone’s happy.

• Park your trundler to the side of the green, near the next tee. 

• Let faster groups play through, wave them on and enjoy the break (and a bevvy). 

• Fix your divots and pitch marks (karma points). 

• Check dress codes and take your pōtae off in the clubhouse unless told otherwise. 

• Stay quiet when others tee off and don’t walk over someone’s putting line. Trust us, they’ll notice.

Basically: play nice, play fair, and keep it light.

Also, if you can’t be good, look good - cute fits? YES please!! Another fave saying of ours “All the gear, no idea”, embrace it!

Even in your first game, you’ll probably hear a lot of words thrown around on the course, and most of them sound like nonsense at first. Here’s the quick decode:

• Par: How many shots you’re meant to take on a hole (we ignore this, you should too).

• Birdie: One under par.

• Bogey: One over par.

• Double bogey: Two over par.

• Stablefords: A scoring system that factors in your handicap — the app will do the maths once you’ve got one.

• Playing handicap: Adjusts based on how hard the course is (some mercy, finally).

• “FORE!” What you shout when your ball’s heading toward another person. Do this loudly.

• Top, chunk, slice, thin: Terms you’ll learn… mostly from doing them.

If you’re keen to give golf a go, start small and keep it fun. Borrow or buy a cheap set of clubs and head to your local course or driving range and see how it feels (and yes, hitting air counts as practice). “She loves Golf” is a inclusive and affordable way to start along with other ladies programs run by your local golf course offering affordable lessons, memberships and rounds for learners to get you to the confidence level you’re seeking.

Not to self plug (but also to self plug), check out Nadine's socials - @thewahinegolfer on all platforms. AND if you’re a wahine, join the private facebook group “The Wāhine Golfers” where you can find other Wāhine in your area to play with and be kept up to date with events for wāhine.

AND x2, if you want the most fun way to get involved? Join us at our R&P Charity Golf Day. It’s the perfect mix of golf, good company, and giving back.

You’ll meet others who are starting out too, and who knows... you might even make a few lifelong friends (and get a decent swing in the process).

- Rochelle and Nadine x (your new golf experts)