Stop Playing Small: Why You Should Go All-In on Golf From Day One

"Don't spend too much on golf clubs just yet."

"You probably don't need a high quality golf shoe right away."

"Maybe wait on lessons until you see if you actually like it."

Sound familiar? If you're a woman considering golf, you've probably heard some version of this "advice" from well-meaning friends, family members, or even golf shop employees. And I'm here to tell you this mindset is completely backwards.

Here's the truth: You're already going to like golf. And you deserve to set yourself up for success from the very beginning.

The Scarcity Mindset That's Holding Women Back

Let's be honest about what's really happening when people tell women to "start small" with golf. It's rooted in outdated assumptions that women are more likely to quit, that we're not serious about sports, or that we should always play it safe with our investments.

But think about it - when a man decides to take up golf, does anyone tell him to buy cheap golf polos "just in case"? When he's heading to his first company golf outing, is he advised to rent golf clubs instead of buying his own? Is anyone questioning his extravagance in golf club membership dues?

I didn't think so.

This isn't just about golf. It's about the mindset we need as women to set ourselves up for success in anything we pursue.

Why the "Just in Case" Mentality is Setting You Up to Fail

When you approach golf with a "just in case you don't like it" mentality, you're essentially planning for failure before you even start. You're telling yourself - and everyone around you - that you're not committed, that you're not confident in your decision, and that you expect to quit.

But here's what I know about you already:

✓ You like being outside
✓ You enjoy social connections and meeting new people
✓ You appreciate the idea of unwinding with a cold refreshment on the patio after working hard on a warm day
✓ You're intrigued by the networking and career opportunities golf can provide
✓ You're at least somewhat athletic & love the opportunity to have a hobby that’s also enables you to be active (and golf doesn't require marathon-running intensity)

You already know golf is going to give you access to people, places and opportunities you don't have today. So why are you planning to fail?

The Success Mindset: Going All-In From Day One

When I started playing golf, I made a conscious decision to go all-in. This is partly my stubborn nature: when I set my mind to something I go for it. And it was partly rebellious: I realized I had been fed the messages all my life that I didn’t belong on the golf course. I wanted to have the full golf experience… and wasn’t going to do it half-way.

I got fitted for clubs. I bought comfortable, fashionable golf shoes. I invested in the hat, the glove, and the accessories that made me feel prepared and confident.

And you know what? It made all the difference.

Here's why investing at the beginning sets you up for success:

Confidence breeds performance. When you look the part and feel prepared, you carry yourself differently on the course. You're not the woman apologizing for her borrowed clubs or uncomfortable in someone else's shoes - you're the woman who belongs there.

Quality equipment actually helps. Properly fitted clubs that match your swing and physical build will perform better than random hand-me-downs. Golf shoes with proper traction will help your stability and confidence in your swing.

You avoid the reinvestment trap. When you start with budget equipment planning to "upgrade later," you often end up spending more money in the long run. You'll need to replace everything anyway, plus you've spent months or years fighting against equipment that wasn't right for you.

You signal commitment to yourself. When you invest properly from the start, you're telling yourself this matters to you. You're worth the investment. You're going to succeed.

The Mental Game: Golf's Biggest Challenge

Here's something everyone should tell you about golf upfront: the biggest challenge isn't physical. Golf isn't running a marathon. It's not even as physically demanding as tennis.

Golf's intensity is mental. And that's exactly why you need to set yourself up with the right mindset from day one.

When you're standing over a shot wearing borrowed clubs and uncomfortable shoes, worried about whether you "deserve" to be there, you're already fighting an uphill mental battle. But when you're properly equipped and confident in your preparation, you can focus on what really matters - learning, improving, and enjoying the game.

Your Investment Strategy: Going All-In Smartly

I'm not suggesting you mortgage your house for golf equipment. I'm suggesting you approach golf like the smart, successful woman you are in every other area of your life.

If you have the means, invest properly:

• Get fitted for clubs by a professional

• Buy quality golf shoes that are comfortable and make you feel confident

• Invest in lessons with a certified instructor

• Purchase the accessories that help you feel prepared

But here's where I struggled - and where I wish I could have invested more: guidance. Although I invested in golf equipment, accessories, and lessons, the one thing I could not invest in was a guide to tell me the way.

I became a Google search fiend. "What to do when your friend asks you to play at his country club" (where I learned that it could be considered really tacky to change into your golf shoes in the parking lot). "What is a parkland style course? Are the different types of golf courses?" "How do I fix a divot on the green?" (that last one I didn’t have to google for a long time until I started hitting greens!)

I booked tee times and then canceled them because I was too nervous to go by myself. I was constantly challenging myself to do something I hadn't done yet or learn something I hadn't learned yet, and I was searching up Google like crazy.

I was fortunate to eventually make a friend or two at the golf course who I could ask these questions to, but before meeting them, I was completely lost. I wish I would have had a guide - someone to help me navigate all the unspoken rules, choices, and golf course situations.

The Compound Effect of Confidence

Here's what I've learned from watching hundreds of women start their golf journeys: the women who go all-in from the beginning progress faster, enjoy the game more, and stick with it longer.

Why? Because success builds on success. Confidence compounds. When you set yourself up properly from day one, every small win feels bigger. Every improvement is more noticeable. Every round is more enjoyable.

Compare that to the woman who's constantly fighting against inadequate equipment, feeling underdressed, or apologizing for not being "serious enough" to invest properly. Which woman do you think falls in love with the game faster?

Stop Asking for Permission to Succeed

The next time someone tells you not to invest too much in golf "just in case," I want you to remember this: you don't need permission to set yourself up for success.

You don't need to prove you're worthy of good equipment after you've already learned. You don't need to earn the right to feel confident and prepared.

You're going to like golf. More importantly, you're going to like it more when you give yourself every advantage from the very beginning.

The question isn't whether you should invest in your golf journey. The question is: are you ready to stop playing small and start setting yourself up to win?

Because you're not a "just in case" kind of woman. You're a "when I succeed" kind of woman. And it's time your golf journey reflected that.

The Guide I Wish I Had

Looking back, the one thing I wish I could have invested in from the beginning was the guidance I desperately needed. That's exactly why I created something for women like you who are ready to go all-in but don't want to navigate this journey alone.

Ready to skip the Google panic searches and nervous tee time cancellations?

Join my free live training: From Nervous Beginner to Natural Golfer: Your Kickstart to Golf Success.

Click here to register: https://www.queencitylinksladies.com/training

In this training, I'll share the roadmap I wish I'd had - the one that would have saved me from frantically googling golf etiquette in parking lots and canceling tee times out of fear.

Ready to stop playing small and start your confident golf journey? Register for my free training and let's get you set up for success from day one!