Golfing is fun, but not when you try to do it alone. Tournament professionals and beginners alike agree that the game is more fun when played with others. You could just let your course hook you up with other golfers in a foursome; but if you’re single, you might be interested in letting friends or a service set you up on golf dating. If so, keep these tips in mind to make it go well.
Ask your friends for background information or look at your date’s profile through a service before you just randomly meet up to play. You want to be familiar with them to see if they’re at about the same skill level as you, and if they’re looking for the same things. Call them on the phone, send them an e-mail, or even make plans to meet them for coffee so you can get to know them better.
Don’t let the added stress of playing golf keep you from having a good time. Reduce your tensions about the actual date by planning to wear nice but average golf clothing, and by setting your equipment out the day before so it’s ready for you. Get to the course before the planned time to check yourself over one last time before your date arrives.
You need to find a balance between making sure your date feels noticed and playing the game quickly, so that you’re not making a bad impression by seeming to ignore your partner or to be holding other teams up. Spark a conversation by talking about each other’s playing styles. Not only does this come naturally, you can learn a lot yourself.
Your friends aren’t going to care when you start ranting over a bad move, but to your date it can come off as immature. The game will be over soon enough, so don’t let it ruin your day or what could possibly lead to a lifetime relationship. If you laugh at your mistakes, you will be able to let them go and allow you both to have a lot more fun.
Don’t try to push yourself beyond your limits. If you need a golf cart, get one. You won’t look any more athletic when you’re winded and gasping for breath later on. Also never lie about your golfing abilities. Exaggerating your skills makes you seem full of yourself and is sure to lead to embarrassment when it becomes clear you aren’t as good as you said you were.
Even if a potential romance seems doomed to failure, have fun. Just because your date didn’t turn out to be a lifetime partner doesn’t mean they can’t be someone you can golf with in the future. Of course, sometimes there won’t be any chemistry whatsoever. In this case, shrug your shoulders and tell yourself that you had time to practice and talk a bit.
When the game is over, let it go, no matter whether you won or lost. If you do think you could have a future with your golf date, take them out later and worry about the things that really matter.
