Five benefits of joining a women’s golf league
What’s a golf league?
A league, in any sport, is an opportunity for individuals or teams to compete against each other on a regular basis. As far as golf leagues go, it’s defined as a group of people who have reserved specific tee times at a golf course on a specific frequency.
Many leagues are weekly. For example here in Cincinnati my ladies golf league plays every Monday night with tee times from 4:15PM through 5:30PM, and we play from May through September.
Some leagues might meet every 2 weeks or monthly. Other leagues might travel from one course to another, making their way through a list of local courses over a set amount of weeks. These are known as “travel leagues.”
Leagues can be competitive where points accumulate and rankings are kept throughout the season resulting in overall winners and awards at the end of the season. Leagues can also be just for fun, with no payout at the end of the season.
Leagues can have weekly games that payout on that week. For example, in my ladies league we rotate through a couple of weekly games - such as least putts. We each pay $1 to get in the game, and report our # of putts on our scorecard when we hand them in. Then whoever got the least amount of putts gets the payout (typically something like $15 depending on how many women bought into the games that night).
What are the benefits of joining a league?
You’ll improve your golf game. Really. A lot of times I hear women say “I’m not good enough to play in a league” but the truth is when you start playing in a league you’ll get better just by playing more often.
By playing at a regular time each week, you’re designing that practice time into your schedule. By playing the same golf course each week, you’ll get familiar with the course and feel more comfortable playing.
Community. You’re going to meet new people and expand your network of golfers you can play with. You will build relationships with these women as you get to know them throughout the season.
You will learn a LOT! When you play with others who are much better than you, you’ll watch them and pickup things that they do and that will help your game. When you play with those that are maybe not as far along as you are, you realize you can help others by offering tips and advice (if they are open to it).
Competition. Some people love competing and it helps drive them to be better. If that’s you, you’ll love a competitive league.
Cost effectiveness. Not always, but a lot of times courses will offer great prices to leagues. If you are going to play a lot of golf, join a league and it will likely be more cost effective than going on your own at the same frequency.
Consider joining a golf league in 2025!
Call your local public golf course and ask if they have a women’s league and what day/time they meet. The golf pro should put you in contact with the league coordinator, and you can go from there. Leagues are always needing new members to join in.
If you can’t commit to playing every week at the same time, you can get on the Sub list for a league. This means if a regular league player cannot make it, they can call or text you to play in their spot.
One strategy I have is that I sign up for multiple leagues as a sub on days I’m normally available. This way I can “try out” a league before deciding to commit to a full season.
Are you already part of a league, and if so do you agree with my list of benefits?
Are you thinking of joining a league next season? Why or why not? Comment and let me know!
