Healthy Mom Life

Tag: Golf Update

  • Golf Update #2

    Golf Update #2

    Golf is hard.

    As the end of the golf season approaches, I thought I’d do another golf update. First off, I know I’ve improved so much. Not just in my game, but my confidence. I’m no longer as nervous to play with other people, and I just have the attitude of going out there and having fun! I’ve learned a lot, and it’s been fun having a completely new hobby for me.

    What I’ve done since my last update:

    I’ve finished up my fall golf ladies league with Iron Ladies golf, and I had such a positive experience. Not only did I get to know some great women, but I also got out of the house and was able to enjoy the last remaining beautifully warm days of September. We had a games night, and I won the closest to the pin on a par 3. To me, that’s absolutely unreal and I never would have guessed I could do that if you had asked me at the start of my playing (just over 3 months ago).

    I did have such a great experience that I will be joining their fall indoor league. Mostly, to keep up what I’ve learned and to have something to look forward to as the days get colder and darker.

    I’ve also continued to golf a bit here and there with my husband when we have the childcare available. We just golfed the Homestead at Wolf Ridge Golf Course in Killaloe when we were visiting my parents for Thanksgiving and the colours of the leaves were breath taking.

    Not my best photo – I was just too dialed in to take anything. Also, my fingers were cold. But Wolf Ridge is one of my favourite courses!

    What I’m working on:

    My driver is my biggest work-in-progress. I’m slicing right almost every time. I’ve recently adjusted my grip (i.e. my husband suggested the grip change last week), and if that’s the magic key I’ll be a happy girl.

    I’m feeling good with my pitching and sand wedge. But me and my irons are not friends.

    So overall, I’ve got a bunch of things to work on over the indoor league and I’m feeling stoked for that opportunity.

    What I’ve learned over the last few months:

    I did want to put together a list of things I wish I had the opportunity to tell myself when I first started playing. Hopefully, they might help someone else who is starting out!

    1. Golf is hard. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can be as good as some people who have played for years. But the learning and the growing are the fun parts. You’ll make an amazing putt, drive or chip and that will keep you coming back.
    2. There is no one way to swing a golf club. There are obviously better ways, but often you have to be the one to find them for yourself. What works for the pro at the course might not work for you.
    3. Use each hole as a blank slate. The terrible putting you did on the last hole doesn’t have to follow you the whole game.
    4. Cute clothes make the biggest difference. If you feel cute, you’ll play better. It’s science.
    5. Practice. No explanation needed.

    I hope you all had a great golf season! See you on my next golf update!

  • Golf Update #1

    Golf Update #1

    I recently started golfing.

    My husband’s been golfing since he was about 13 and he loves it. He’s in a summer league that golfs every Saturday, and he’s often golfing Friday nights. Look, I’m all for sports and hobbies, but as a mother of young kids the 6-hour golf day can sometimes be a bit of a grind.

    However, after a few drinks at a wedding he recently suggested (a drunken mistake on his part?) that I should go to the driving range with friends as a way to have a break from the kids and to get out of the house. And, what started as just a small curiosity about the appeal of golf, has blossomed into a new appreciation.

    Please welcome to the stage: my golfing era. I am starting to really understand how difficult a sport it is and how it’s also such a great outdoor activity. And, it’s been really fun, albeit humbling, to try something completely new that I’ve never really paid any attention to before.

    I did also really want to start playing golf just because the outfits are *so cute* and I love being outside. But, as of today, I’m sticking with it because it’s enjoyable to challenge myself and I love the fact that I now have a hobby I can share with my husband.

    Come for the cute fits, stay for spirit of the game.

    What I’ve done so far:

    I’ve gone to the driving range a grand total of 4 times: twice with my friends, once with my husband, and once by myself.

    I’ve done two rounds of 9 holes with my husband. Which I am extremely proud of – I even kept score on the second round! A lovely benchmark score of 55.

    What I’m doing for the next month:

    My husband and I have plans to continue a weekly Sunday 9-hole date with just the two of us. I love it because we don’t often get 1-on-1 time together, and it’s nice that it’s a sport we can both cheer each other on in. It’s mutually beneficial because I get the practice of actually being on a course and he gets to dial in on the finer points of his game.

    I’ve also joined an all-female GTA golf league with Iron Lady Golf. The league starts in September and runs for 4 weeks. Here, I’m really looking forward to getting more beginner-based tips, as well as an opportunity to talk to other female golfers.

    Additionally, I will be golfing with my brother and sister-in law when I visit my parents up north near Algonquin Park.

    I would like to continue going to the range with my friends, but we’ll see how that pans out considering I’ve got two golf days scheduled per week right now.

    My swing so far:

    Here’s where I’ve started:

    Here’s where I’m at as of this post:

    My main focus right now is to have consistent contact with the ball and to establish my own cues to get that contact. Basically, just figuring out what works for me!

    I did get approached on the range by another experienced golfer who offered me some tips, which did help a lot. Generally, I’m finding that there are so many different ways to swing a golf club, and some tips resonate with me more than others.

    It is also extremely hard to look at videos of my own swing where I look like an awkward giraffe swinging a stick willy-nilly. But I’m getting there! Positive vibes and all that!

    I’m looking forward to where I’ll be in my next golf update!