Top tips to integrate into the women's section at a golf club

Being a new member of a golf club can be daunting, especially when everyone seems to already have established friendship groups. Amanda Nicholls was in that boat just 18 months ago. As a beginner, she attended weekly women’s group lessons with PGA Professional Emma Booth at Winchester Golf Academy and quickly got the golf bug. A few months into her learning journey she decided to take the plunge and join a golf club. Here she shares her advice for helping to integrate into the women’s section.

Amanda Nicholls started golf at Winchester Golf Academy in July 2023, joining a women’s beginners’ group run by PGA Professional Emma Booth and taking some individual lessons alongside it. The group also played the nearby 9-hole Avingdon Park golf course every week under Booth’s guidance.

“It was a lot of fun,” recalls Nicholls, “but as I started to improve, I began thinking that the greens were quite small, plus the holes were mainly par threes, with just the odd par 4 and no par fives. So could I even manage those? By winter, I was itching to develop further and join a ‘proper’ big girls 18-hole course, so I started looking at clubs close to my home in Alton, Hampshire. I felt I needed to join a golf club to transition from that learner stage to the next level. It was terrifying yet exciting.”

Being new to golf, Nicholls understandably had some concerns.

“My biggest initial fears were playing too slowly and continuously hitting terrible shots,” admits Nicholls. “But 18 months in I'm still taking my time to learn and not putting too much pressure on myself. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed joining a club, so my best advice is to simply relax into it gradually at your own pace and enjoy it - that's why you joined!”

Nicholls believes that starting golf with like-minded women has helped with learning. Life-long friendships are formed.

“I would 100% recommend joining a beginner’s group at an academy or a golf club,” insists Nicholls. “There is nothing better than learning and playing with other women who are at a similar level. Group coaching is also very affordable and sociable.”

The decision-making process for picking what club to join can be confusing, so Nicholls stuck to one simple rule - to look for a club with an active women's section. 

“Joining a club is a large financial commitment,” admits Nicholls, “so I wanted somewhere that I would use regularly and get value from. I'm lucky that Alresford has such a strong women's section that is so encouraging to new players, it's made all the difference for me.”

As part of her induction, Nicholls met the Ladies Captain for a coffee ‘interview’ at the club and joined soon afterwards. She has just started her second year of membership.

Nicholl’s other big piece of advice for integrating into the golf club is to join in and give back where you can. When the club asks for help from volunteers, get involved, whether acting as a ball marker for Junior competitions or joining divot repair sessions. All part of being a club member and getting to know its inner workings and wider engagements. It’s a great way to get to know others in the club and learn game formats and rules. 

“I've recently joined the social committee,” explains Nicholls. “In addition to the friends I am making, in my first year I've played golf dressed as a witch, made a festive wreath, arranged flowers for the ladies changing room and spent hours sat on the terrace taking refreshments after play, overlooking the 18th - heaven. The biggest surprise has been how much enjoyment I'm having within the club overall, in addition to the actual game. I didn't expect that. I'm getting fitter and healthier and have set my targets for this second year; handicap below 50, several 18 hole competitions, ladies away day to play at another local golf club. The list goes on.”

Concentrate on your pace of play

Pick up if you can’t play the shot, drop out of trouble and move on. Remember, when your play is terrible, because it will be at times, the next tee is just a short walk ahead. Understand your limitations and respect other golfers and course etiquette; so as not to cause slow play.

Don’t fear bad shots

I was terrified of mishitting the shots at first. But the fact is as a beginner you will hit lots of them - it’s all part of learning. I won't pretend it hasn't been nerve-wracking sometimes and I still forget most people’s names; but I didn't appreciate just how much fun golf is; how much scope there is to the overall enjoyment of the game.

Form friendship groups

There is nothing better than learning and playing with other women who are at a similar level. Group coaching is very affordable and sociable. Learning with other beginners is more fun.