My journey into golf
The first time I held a golf club in my hands must have been some 30+ years ago, when my friend Alex and I were hitting some balls (he was, and I was trying hard) back in a village in Bavaria, when we were schoolmates at high school. Growing up, I was never really interested in the golf sport. It might have to do with the fact that I was once told off by a golf course manager because I had crossed his brand new lawn with a motorbike…
Fast forward, I found myself on a golf course at Darlington Beach, NSW, Australia, just a few weeks ago. For some reason, I had developed a certain interest – a friend from Melbourne had told me about being out in the greens. On another occasion, one of my business mentors had told me about organizing golf tours all around the world, and he suggested for me to get into it, since he gave me advice regarding my tour business, anyways.
So, Bea and I had decided to take some lessons, and we actually really enjoy it! Here are some lessons about playing golf:
Golf is not only for the rich
This is probably one of the most common misconceptions. I am still pretty new to the sport but I believe that golfing is much more accessible these days. Many courses offer affordable green fees, and there are public courses where you don’t need an expensive club membership to play. You can even find second-hand clubs at a reasonable price, making it possible to get started without breaking the bank.
Golf is very complex
At first glance, golf might seem like just hitting a ball into a hole, but it is incredibly technical. The grip, stance, swing mechanics, club selection, and even the mental game all play a role. Even after just a few lessons, I’ve realized that mastering golf takes patience and constant refinement. Every shot is different, and the small details make all the difference.
You Spend a Lot of Time in Nature
One of the aspects I love about golf is that it gets you outdoors for hours at a time. Unlike many sports, where you’re confined to a court or a field, golf takes you through beautiful landscapes, from lush fairways to scenic hills and even coastal views. It’s a sport where you’re fully immersed in nature, which adds to its relaxing and meditative appeal.
You Need to Be Fit
People don’t often associate golf with fitness, but it actually requires a solid level of physical conditioning. Walking 18 holes can cover up to 10 kilometers, and swinging a club repeatedly requires flexibility, strength, and endurance. Plus, maintaining focus and consistency for hours is mentally demanding, which is another form of fitness altogether.
Virtual Golfing is on the Rise
Technology is revolutionizing the way people play and practice golf. From indoor simulators to VR golf setups, virtual golfing is making the sport more accessible than ever. You can now practice your swing in a high-tech environment without even stepping onto a course. For beginners like me, this is a great way to get more comfortable with the mechanics before heading out onto a real fairway.
Golf is as much a mental game as a physical one
Unlike many other sports, where physical strength and speed play a dominant role, golf is heavily influenced by mental discipline. Focus, patience, and emotional control are just as important as technique. A single bad shot can mess with your head, but staying calm and composed is what separates a good round from a frustrating one. Learning to manage frustration and stay present in the moment is a skill that applies far beyond the golf course.
Consistency is everything
In golf, like in triathlon, small inconsistencies can make a huge difference. A slight change in grip, stance, or swing angle can send the ball flying in a completely different direction than intended. That’s why golfers practice endlessly to fine-tune their mechanics. Unlike other sports where you can sometimes rely on instinct or brute force, golf rewards those who can repeat the same motion with precision over and over again.
Golf is a social sport
While you can play golf alone, it’s much more enjoyable with others. It’s one of the few sports where you can have long conversations while playing, making it a great way to network or spend quality time with friends. Business professionals often use golf as a way to connect, and I can see why—four hours on a course allows for more meaningful conversations than a rushed coffee meeting.
You Can Play Golf at Any Age
One of the coolest things about golf is that it’s a sport for life. Unlike high-impact sports like football or basketball, which become harder to play as you get older, golf is something you can enjoy well into your senior years. It’s common to see people of all ages playing together, and that makes it a truly unique sport. I have seen many seniors on our golf course here in Ocean Shores, and it is really nice to see them enjoy themselves.
The more you learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know
Just when you think you’ve figured something out, golf has a way of humbling you. One great shot doesn’t mean you’ve mastered anything, and one bad round doesn’t mean you’re terrible. The learning curve is endless, but that’s also what makes the game so addicting. There’s always room for improvement, and every round presents a new challenge.
Golf has turned out to be a lot more exciting than I expected. While I’m still very much a beginner, I can already see why people become passionate about it. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll organize golf tours myself! For now, I’m just enjoying the journey—one swing at a time.
