Get Your Swing Back

I had the pleasure of writing another article for Golf Garb's website - I hope you enjoy it!

Golf has been a passion of mine for more than half of my life, but it hasn’t ever been easy for me to dedicate extended periods of time to it. Life gets in the way; priorities shift or sometimes I just feel like I’ve lost my groove. Many people, especially ladies, step away from the game for a while and feel unsure about how to return and how to boost their confidence to get back out on the course. The good news? Golf is always there, patiently waiting, and ready when you are.

Whether you’re returning after several years or a few seasons, it is completely normal to feel a bit nervous and rusty. However, the path back to confidence and joy isn’t about chasing perfection or getting back to where you were, it is about reconnecting with what made you love the game in the first place. And yes, sometimes that could start with a fresh outfit.

Wardrobe Motivation

We all know how a new outfit can boost mood and confidence and the same is true for a new golf outfit. Investing in some new golf clothes can be an effective way to rekindle your passion for the game. I love the feel of a new golf polo in a flattering fit or a lightweight jacket that can be worn for a coffee after golf too.

Back to Basics

Give yourself permission to go back to fundamentals and don’t necessarily expect to pick up right where you left off.

After any break from golf, I always start with a relaxed range or putting green session rather than rushing out to the course. Practising in a no-pressure environment will really help your mindset. Start with short chips and gradually build up your swing to longer irons if you’re on the range or just focus on your short game at the putting green and enjoy listening to that joyous sound of holing a putt!

If you have difficulty in getting back into golf after an extended break and feel like a bit stuck then I would highly recommend having a few lessons where a professional can give you some drills to take away and practise yourself. This will help you set some new achievable goals and help with golf motivation which is covered in the next part.

Set Achievable Goals

Reframe your goals around small wins that are manageable and fun.  For example, rather than deciding to set a goal of playing golf once a week, set a goal of 4 times a month instead so you give yourself a bit of a buffer if other commitments get in the way one week.

There are lots of fun games you can play e.g.  put 9 balls around the hole on a putting green at varying lengths and set a goal of getting them all in first time or set a timer and compete against a friend.

If you have lessons then you can set goals against what you learnt and perhaps video yourself to send to your coach for encouragement or little pointers. 

One goal could just be to wear your new outfit and feel good in it this month!

Be kind to yourself and know that each time you play golf you are making progress.

Find Your Golf Gang

Although I do enjoy playing golf on my own from time to time, golf is social at heart and reconnecting with old golf friends or finding new ones can be a great motivator. You may want to consider joining a local ladies’ clinic – there are several Facebook and Instagram groups which help connect ladies across the country. Otherwise you may simply need to reach out to a friend for nine holes and a drink.

There is a strong chance that someone else you know is feeling the same way and your message may be the exact boost they needed to go out and play again too.

Final Thoughts

Golf is not all about hitting the ball far or scoring low. At its core, it is about joy, challenge and connection. Breaks from golf throughout life are normal. If you’ve been missing the game, then know that it is never too late to return and I’m sure you’ll quickly remember why you first took up the game.

Give yourself the time to start again. Put on that fresh outfit, grab your clubs and go find your swing again – it will be worth it!

https://tinyurl.com/getyourswingback