Persuading the non-golfer

[jurban05]

Was at a golf store with my fiance and was messing around hitting a few balls into the net so she gave it a shot. Completely missed. That was the end of her golfing career. I really want her to golf with me though. Im hoping some of you can give me some ideas to get her out there. Im puting a net in the backyard to hit balls into so hopefully she will mess with that. I really need to persuade her into playing! HELP!

[jlh1508]

Was at a golf store with my fiance and was messing around hitting a few balls into the net so she gave it a shot. Completely missed. That was the end of her golfing career. I really want her to golf with me though. Im hoping some of you can give me some ideas to get her out there. Im puting a net in the backyard to hit balls into so hopefully she will mess with that. I really need to persuade her into playing! HELP!

you cant persuade her to like it, and honestly it wil be less enjoyable to have her out there miserable then to be out on your own

[danieldrieberg]

You want to inoculate someone with golf fever!!!!!

Only advice I can make is "keep it fun" Don't fall into the trap of " its a good walk spoiled"

[mdl]

Trying to pressure her into wanting to golf with you is a terrible idea on many levels. If it's not her thing, it's not her thing. Get over it and deal with the fact that you might have to spend less than 100% of your non-work time at the course. I would say the only thing you can hope for is that your excitement will convince her to pitch a little in the back yard or something, but I wouldn't hold my breath, and man, I'm telling you, keeping up even just a little constant background pressure about it is just a terrible idea.

[senorchipotle]

that's just inviting her to invade your time you would otherwise be spending with buddies. but, whatever floats your boat. part of the reason why i go to play is for male cameraderie.

[The Road Dog]

Do you have any friends whose wives play? Or guys whose girlfriends play. I think you'd have better luck introducing her to other women who play. Try that and get back to us.

[zeg]

Agree. You can't talk someone in to trying/liking something they are either not interested in or self-conscious about. Make it clear that you'd like her to try it, maybe very (VERY!) occasionally ask her if she's interested in going to the range for a little while, but don't push or make a big deal out of it. The more you push, the more likely it turns into a conflict. If that happens, she not only has to decide she'd like to try, but now she also has to "give in" on the conflict, which makes it all the more difficult.

[Aceboympk]

I don't care how you do it, but don't get her on a course when it's busy. Everyone will hate you and your fiance will hate you. You'll have a miserable day and so will everyone else behind you.

[JetFan1983]

I first tried playing golf when I was 11 and I hated it. I tried it again when I was 14 and still hated it. Then I tried it again when I was 21 and hated it more. It wasn't until I was 25 that I was out hitting balls one random day and I started to love it.

Why at 25? Why not at 11, 14, or 21? This is my theory:

I finally hit a lucky shot. I obviously had an awful swing but I made contact with the ball and it went flying 80-100 yards. I was hooked after that. That's all it took: The feeling of good contact and watching the ball fly.

Hell, it took me four range sessions over a 14 year period to finally hit that lucky shot, but it happened, and now I'm a huge golf fan.

If your girl hits a lucky shot, I think her chances of being intrigued by golf are higher than if she wiffs every one. She has to know that feeling. Get her to hit a lucky shot and hope that's enough to get her hooked.

[parplease]

Find a golf course / driving range in the area that does introductions to golf. They're usually very cheap for women (why not for men?) I found one in NJ for 25 bucks for my wife last year. It will give your fiance a chance to be around women that have no idea how to play, with a patient instructor who knows how to teach a beginner. For roughly twenty bucks, its a great way to find out if she's willing to learn or has no interest in it at all.

Good luck

[ks8829]

Have her putt around on the greens and slowly have her swing and hit large balls, beach ball, tennis balls keep it simple and with good positive results. Maybe have a friend learn together or pay for group lessons with a friend.

The advances of having her play golf is golf vacations together and something that you can enjoy together forever.

[jurban05]

i think some of you are taking this the wrong way. im not trying to force her to play golf even is shes miserable playing it or hates it. shes never gonna learn to enjoy the game unless i bring her along. i know she will love golf just as everyone else who plays it. i was just asking for ideas to get her to get out there and play a little and give it a chance. if she hates it then she hates it. im not gonna force her to play. and its not an invasion of my time with the guys. me and her enjoy sending as much time as we can together. and we need a break from eachother we give eachother a break. i just think some of you took what im saying the wrong way. but thanks for everyone who gave ideas. keep em comming. i like some of these ideas. you all made really good points.

[parplease]

Take a look at www.playgolfamerica.com . They may have events in your area as well.

[jlh1508]

i think some of you are taking this the wrong way. im not trying to force her to play golf even is shes miserable playing it or hates it. shes never gonna learn to enjoy the game unless i bring her along. i know she will love golf just as everyone else who plays it..

With the above quote how did we take it wrong? You obviously believe she is going to love the game if you have her around it. That to me is trying to force her to like it. You did afterall title the thread persuading the non-golfer. Anyways, you know my wife hates playing golf, she has tried and doesn't enjoy it. She does however enjoy walking the course with me, pulling the proper club for me, pulling the flag, and helping read the greens. So maybe while she may not want to play, she might just enjoy being out for the nice walk

[Sun City Country Club]

I first tried playing golf when I was 11 and I hated it. I tried it again when I was 14 and still hated it. Then I tried it again when I was 21 and hated it more. It wasn't until I was 25 that I was out hitting balls one random day and I started to love it.

I agree. Have her hit larger balls so that she feels successful. If she is still discouraged, make it into a contest. If she hits the next ball, she chooses where you two go for dinner. If you hit it and avoid the hazards you choose dinner [just make sure it's still a place she likes :) ].

[WUTiger]

Was at a golf store with my fiance and was messing around hitting a few balls into the net so she gave it a shot. Completely missed. That was the end of her golfing career. I really want her to golf with me though. ...

A couple of things come to mind. First, start out on the putting green, and maybe do a little chipping and then a full swing.

Second, maybe you could interest her in a local golf clinic for beginners. Everyone's just getting started, so less pressure. Third, being that you are a 20 HDCP, are you the best person to get her started on sound basics? Fourth, are any females in your couple's social circle golfers? Maybe they could get her interested.

[DaSportsGuy]

You really can't talk someone into getting into golf. Before I started playing, if someone would've told me I should play golf I would laughed. Until you actually experience golf on a golf course it's very tough to enjoy it.

In my experience, my friend was playing the course right down the street from my house so I walked along with him. Bought a set of clubs the very next day and never looked back.