Golf is a great way to make new friends – Boston Herald

One of the many reasons I decided to officially take up golf three years ago was simple, pure and uncomplicated: I wanted to expand my circle of friends.

I knew from growing up with golf-mad parents and siblings that golf, while largely an individual sport, is very much a social game, and I wanted to be a part of that.

But I quickly realized that it wasn’t as simple as taking a few lessons, building a basic deck, and then letting the world know I was ready to join their foursome.

Instead, I had to focus on two specific things: how to find good golfing buddies and how to be a good golfing buddy. I feel like I’ve made great strides in both. Over the past few weeks, I’ve played in a great charity tournament at the absolutely magnificent Worcester Country Club, met a few new friends I met and exchanged contact information with at a Mass Golf (https://www.massgolf.org) event, played on a Cape course with a couple my husband and I met when we were paired with them last season, and played in my weekly golf league. That’s a lot of new friends and a lot of great golf. Here are my tips for finding golfing buddies the right way.

Join a league: I live on the South Shore, and around here, it felt like getting a spot in a ladies’ league was about as much of a challenge as getting your button in the Mafia. That’s an exaggeration, of course. But the influx of avid golfers since the pandemic has made it even more challenging.

So I spent some time looking at the websites of golf clubs in the area and made some phone calls to ask for more information. I found a competition that someone I know is in. They recommended me and this year I had the absolute pleasure of playing the Tuesday 18 hole competition at Crosswinds Golf Club in Plymouth.

The women play at almost every level, but they understand that as part of a competition they are often playing with women of different levels. I have gotten some great tips, seen some great rounds and they all cheered when I made a birdie from 100 yards or more back. What better way to share that with new friends? Find a competition near you and find a way to get in.

Join Mass Golf: I joined Mass Golf the same week I bought my clubs. I wanted to maintain a handicap, receive their excellent newsletter, and stay up to date on golf in general. Little did I know, the real bonus is that they host great play days, like the ladies day I attended at Hyannis Golf Club. To my delight, most of the women didn’t know each other.

I was paired with three other women with a similar handicap to me and we had a great time. So much so that we now have a group text to plan our own golf days. (All while they gave us a great lunch, a gift hat and cold drinks for a super low price and I won closest to the pin!)

Mass Golf organizes many events for men, women and juniors. Register now.

Share your newfound love with your golfing friends: I’ve been posting a lot on social media about my newly adopted game, and friends are taking notice. That’s led to me being invited to play in members’ and charity tournaments.

Last week my friends, the Crowley/Stimpson family (owners of Polar Beverages and Wachusett Ski Area and just the nicest people you will ever meet) invited me to compete in the famous Lori Lajoie Charity Golf Tournament (www.sevenhills.org/ll2024) as the fourth place finisher. What a day and what an honor.

They fully understood that I still have a high handicap (for now!) but they reminded me that a day on a beautiful course with great friends is the best core memory golf you can get. We had a great time, donated to a good cause and yes – laughed a little (ask them about my bunker shot….).

If you don’t have friends who invite you to a charity tournament, find one for a cause you care about and sign up as an individual. You’ll be matched with new friends. It’s fun.

There are other ways, too. Find a social media page dedicated to golf (Golfing MA on Facebook is especially great; I see people banding together for rounds there all the time). Or, if you have the means, join a private club. No matter your level, clubs have a place—and a group of friends for you.

Or just give me a call. I’m always looking for a good round with great new friends.

Now, how to become a good golf buddy. We’ll talk about that in a moment.