Finding the right golf league for you
Let’s get one thing straight…
If you’re not already in a ladies golf league, you will have do a little more digging than we are all used to in this modern Information Age. Here are a couple of reasons why:
Golf course websites typically don’t list any leagues that they host at their courses. The best you get is some general information on the golf course and how to book a tee time.
The league coordinators are simply regular golfers (not golf pros or employees at the golf course) so they build their league roster through the people they already know in their league
There are far fewer ladies leagues than there are men’s leagues
Of the ladies leagues that exist, a majority are scheduled during the work day making it difficult to impossible to participate in a league if you are still working full time.
Why join a golf league?
I highly recommend joining a league earlier than you think you’re ready. Benefits of joining a golf league include:
Enjoying a regularly scheduled tee time (no scrambling to figure out when you’re playing this upcoming weekend)
Built-in golf playing partners (meet new people, rotate through partners or pairings)
Playing the same course each week helps you see your own improvement
When you play with someone more skilled than you, you learn a lot by watching them
When you play with someone who is much more of a beginner than you, you increase your confidence in yourself and how much you’ve learned so far that you can help others
Theme nights. Enough said.
League formats
Before you say, “But I can’t join a league because…[insert excuse here]” let me tell you that a “league” is very simply any regularly scheduled tee time. It doesn’t have to be each week. It could be bi-weekly or even monthly.
You can find beginner-specific leagues at short Par 3 courses, or even find a travel league that plays different courses around your area on a certain frequency.
The goal here is to explore options that work for your availability. What’s out there already might not work for you, but read further because I have an idea for you if that’s the case.
Strategies to find a golf league
I know that talking on the phone is something many people try very hard to avoid. You are going to have to call your local golf courses to ask about ladies leagues.
Think about it. The golf pros are not sitting at their computer waiting to respond to your general website email inquiry. They’re out at the driving range or putting green giving instruction. They are tending to their responsibilities managing the programs at the golf course. In my experience, I have had much better luck calling and talking to the person at the desk in the pro shop OR leaving a voice message for the golf pro to call me back. Not so much luck with email.
OK underwhelming, I know. So it is really just one strategy. Call your local golf course and ask.
What happens next? The pro will give your contact info to the "League Coordinator” and that person should contact you and share information about the league - schedule, cost, sub policy, and any league-specific rules. Spoiler alert: this person is likely also more of a phone call person. If you are lucky you will get a neatly formatted email with all the information.
Subbing and more
If you can’t commit to a full season league, you can be a “sub.” In other words, when a regular league player can’t attend, you will be called or emailed to fill in.
This is a great strategy to scope out a league that you are interested in committing to next season by playing once or twice with that group to get a feel for their vibe.
Alternatively, you could find 1 or 2 other women to split a league position with. For example, you and the other person alternate who plays golf in the league that week. This is not ideal for league organizers (makes for more emails & more people to communicate with) but it would be OK if you can make sure someone shows up to play each week.
Be like Brittany
I met Brittany in 2024 and she truly inspired me. She told me she wanted to play more regularly but couldn’t find a local league that worked for her schedule. So she committed to booking a regular Wednesday evening tee time for herself. Over the course of the season, she invited others and some friends started to join her.
In essence she created her golf league for one. This is how it starts. Carve out a time for yourself and others will join you as time goes on.
If nothing exists that works for you today, start small. Book one regular tee time for the season whether it’s just you and a friend or maybe a foursome.
What if the league requires a handicap?
Sign up for one at https://getahandicap.usga.org
You’re a golfer! Of course you need a handicap right away. Relatively speaking it’s very inexpensive to keep your handicap (about $45 per year) compared to all the money we spend on golf!
Local to Cincinnati options
I surveyed the 30+ golf courses in the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association and here’s the list of ladies leagues that came back.
Key Takeaways
Just do it - Join a golf league! Joining my local ladies league in 2022 was the best thing I did. I was nervous but the ladies were friendly and just wanted to play golf and have a good time.
Remember to make phone calls and leave voice messages to find yourself a league. You can try email and website general inquiry forms, but don’t expect an answer from that.
