You love golf, and it’s hard to get you out of that club. It’s like your second home. There’s nothing better than unwinding at the golf course after a tough week at the office. There’s really nothing better. 

Your partner? They don’t exactly share your passion. 

In this guide, we’re going to help you get your partner just as excited about golf as you are. Soon, you’ll have a bonafide contender for the better handicap. 

Avoid Being That Guy 

Depending on your personality type, this may be the toughest one to get right. And that’s why we’re putting it front and center, right at the top of this one. 

It doesn’t matter who you are, having someone over your shoulder, analyzing every stroke, movement, and body position, you get the idea; it’s the most irritating thing ever. 

Help without being overbearing. Let your partner make mistakes. If they don’t get the vernacular right, who cares? As long as they’re having fun, that’s all that matters. 

It’s More Than ‘Just’ Golf 

Golf as a sport is fantastic. The core elements are fun, without the ‘extras’ that come with them. But boy, are those extras sweet. Going to the clubhouse, it just feels like your second living room. Meeting your friends, having a chat. Enjoying the outdoors. 

When you sell golf to your partner, highlight those bonus elements that not everyone thinks about when it comes to the game. Make it a day out, not just a pure sports session. 

Fight Boredom Early! 

Your sense of purity for the game may leave you aghast at this next tip. But trust us, this works: have some distractions at the ready. Your partner will not share the same passion for golf that you have, at least not at the start. 

The sport has a lot of downtimes. If you don’t play your cards right, these gaps may add to a sense that the game is boring – especially if they’ve not actually tried playing. 

To help prevent an early exit, have some reading material ready. If not that, there’s always the trusty smartphone (just make sure it’s on silent!); your partner can catch up on the news, go on Facebook or Instagram, or, even play online slots at any time between holes. Eventually, they’ll realize that downtime is part of what makes golf great. 

Start with the Driving Range 

Golf can be intimidating. The vast space. The people who look like they know what they’re doing. The etiquette, traditions. And it’s a notoriously difficult sport to master. 

For beginners, the best place to start is the driving range. You can wear what you want, first of all. No pressure. There’s no time limit. Your partner can take as much or as little time as they want. It’s also a cheap way to learn how to swing that club. 

Of course, you don’t want to just go out there and swing. Focus on game improvement, but without putting too much emphasis on perfection. The ultimate driving range session should be both enriching and a good time. 

Go Gear Shopping 

Go on, admit it. You may hate going to the mall, but shopping for a new set of clubs gives you (almost) embarrassing levels of excitement and satisfaction. That’s when you finally appreciate the meaning of shopaholic. 

To get your partner into golf, treat them to some gear. We’re talking about a nice set of clubs, a personalized bag, golf-specific clothing, and all the good stuff. However, you don’t have to splash out straight away; the second-hand market is also a useful place for great quality gear. 

Consider Golfing Lessons 

Look, this isn’t a criticism of your game. Your game is fine (probably). But that doesn’t always mean you’re the best teacher. It’s like teaching your kids how to drive. Sometimes it’s just better to leave things to the professionals. Here’s why: 

• Teaching is hard. It’s totally different from playing. Just because you are good at something, doesn’t mean you know how to impart your wisdom (just look at the various stars who’ve made terrible coaches).

• Lessons will help their game. Being bad at something is usually a recipe for having a horrible time. When you’re good, things are just more enjoyable. Lessons will vastly improve a beginner’s game super quickly. 

• Lessons from a loved one can be a recipe for disaster. See our top bit of advice. 

Remember, It’s Not About the Handicap 

Getting too competitive about golf is difficult to avoid. We’re just so into it that comparing handicaps just becomes second nature. When you’re just starting out, this competitive behavior can be a real turn-off. Our final piece of advice: remember why you’re doing it. Golfing is fun. It’s a great way to let off some steam and forget the rat race. And in this case, it’s a fantastic way to spend time together with the person you love, build your relationship further, and get them into a fantastic sport. Don’t forget it.