Girls and golf
Parents, caregivers, grandparents! Are you in the 40% of lapsed golfers who would like to return to the game if more friends and family played? According to The R&A, one of golf’s governing bodies, did you know that 65% of females identified their husbands, partners, parents and other family members as the main reason for taking up golf?
In England, lockdown restrictions have been relaxed a little and golf courses have been opened. There are some rules around how you play - social distancing must be obeyed, you can’t touch the flag and there are no bunker rakes, for example (other rules apply – this isn’t an exhaustive list, do check!) – but it made us think that this would be a great time for mums and dads, grandparents and caregivers to introduce their daughters to one of the oldest games in the world – golf.
Golf is an exciting game of strategy, precision and distance, be it short or long: a putt of a few centimetres into the hole is as important as your drive off the golf tee of a few hundred metres. Many top golfers train in the gym to build their fitness and strength so that they can out drive (hit the ball further than) their opponent. The game requires resilience, patience and tenacity: those people who say it’s just hitting a ball around a field are wrong!
Charley Hull is a successful British golfer who started playing golf when she was two! Aged nine she was beating adults and now she plays on the European Ladies Tour and the US equivalent.
Loulou Fonteyne is a Belgian nine-year-old golfer who is already competing internationally. She is a big fan of Charley’s! We asked them both what they love about golf and why you and your daughters should give it a go!
Charley first …
How did you first get into golf?
My dad bought me some plastic clubs when I was two, and I used to hit them in the back garden. It all went from there!
Charley Hull in action
When you started what made you want to continue? What did you love about it? Or maybe you found it hard and had to persevere?
Because I’ve always played, I’ve never really considered that I wouldn’t…. it’s just always been something I’ve done, and I always found it fun. I never considered it not being a part of my life.
How did, and does, playing golf make you feel?
I’ve always enjoyed it and found it fun. I love the feeling of hitting the ball, and I love the challenge that it presents. There’s always something new and different to try.
What sort of training do you do?
At the moment I’m working out a lot because I have the time. The priority would be strength exercises related to golf, and then some light cardio. When I’m not playing though, like now and in the off season, I increase this to as much as I can fit in as I love it. I make my own circuits, do spinning, running, anything really.
What would you say to girls to persuade them to get out on the golf course?
Please do go and give golf a try, it has so much to offer – it’s healthy and fun, and you can do it with your friends and have a laugh!
And this is what Loulou had to say …
How did you first get into golf?
I started playing because of my daddy and then mommy started with me too. My uncle, cousins and grandparents also play.
Loulou demonstrating her golf swing
What do you love about golf?
I love hitting the ball with my driver and that golf is something I can play with my family. Sometimes we get a golf buggy which I like to drive, and I love the clothes for golf – they’re so cute! I’ve also made lots of friends at golf and they’re all so supportive. They understand me and we have a shared love of the sport. I also love it when people watch me when I play and clap when I win!
(A driver is a name for one of the clubs and is generally used on the tee to hit the ball a long way.)
How does golf make you feel?
It makes me feel good at something and a little bit special. I don’t always get along with the girls at school, but I know that I’m better than them at something.
What would you say to a girl who was considering playing golf?
I would tell her to give it a try! I love it and have made so many friends! You never know, you might be really good at it!
As Loulou says, this could be your daughters’ sport. Why not take her to a pitch and putt or driving range to get her used to the clubs and striking the ball? Maybe reading this would inspire her. Let us know how you get on – remember to teach her ‘fore’ too!
You can follow Charley (@charley.hull) and Loulou (@louloufonteyne) on Instagram to keep up to date with their golfing careers.
GOLF FACT FILE:
Golf is played with golf clubs and a dimpled ball which is often white. Like crazy golf, you play on a golf course which is a big expanse of grassy land with a series of holes, 18 in number. The holes have a flag in them to show you where to aim. Like crazy golf, it might take you a few shots to get your ball in the hole and there are obstacles along the way to make it harder for you such as lakes, rough grass, trees and sand pits known as bunkers.
Your score is the number of shots that it took you to play, with your ‘handicap’ deducted - your handicap is based on your ability with a handicap of 0 being awarded to the very best golfers. Players walk around the course with their clubs, or sometimes they might take a golf buggy.
Golf can be played by people of any age – look at Charley Hull who started at 2!
If you’re in GB, our friends at Little Big Sports stock lots of junior golfing equipment.