Tracey Hart swapped hockey sticks for golf clubs after a Christmas lesson sparked a new passion. She now plays regularly with friends she met through a local women’s group, enjoying the game’s challenges and camaraderie.
Gear Shifts And Golf Swings
My name is Tracey Hart, I am 52 and a driving instructor in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands. After years of playing hockey, a Christmas golf lesson sparked my interest. I quickly realised golf has a very different swing from hockey, and I loved the challenge of learning something new!
I joined a local ladies’ group for weekly sessions, which helped me improve my game while building friendships. I now play regularly with three women – Mandy, Kaz, and Nikki – who I met through the group. We always have fun on the course and have a pint at the end of a round.
Not being a club member lets me enjoy playing different courses as a guest. I usually play once or twice a week, though when the weather dips into single digits, I stick to the driving range with the girls.
The biggest challenge has been managing my competitiveness because, unlike team hockey, getting frustrated in golf only hurts your game!
Switching Off
I just love being out on the course, catching up with friends, having a laugh (or a cry), and switching off from the day.
After about a year of playing, I wanted to take golf more seriously, and a friend recommended the iGolf app to track scores and build a handicap. I loved the idea, and now, two years in, it has been a game-changer.
iGolf gives me a way to measure progress, stay motivated, and connect with others. As a competitive person, it pushes me to improve every round and gives me confidence that I am improving. Having a Handicap Index® has also opened the door to competitions, like the driving instructor group I play with, which includes retired and working instructors. We play six times a year throughout the UK and always take one mini tour within the country. This year, we are going to Weston-super-Mare!
These types of events, along with iGolf, have added structure to my game while keeping it fun.
Hole-In-One
My most memorable golf moment has to be getting a hole-in-one in my first year. It was a 93-yard par 3 with my pitching wedge. I lost sight of the ball and assumed it had rolled off the back, but when we walked up to the green and saw it in the hole, my friend Kaz and I burst out laughing!
It was a proud moment, especially since many seasoned players have not had one. It reminded me that with hard work and commitment, anything is possible in golf. I mostly play for fun with friends, but I also enjoy competing in a driving instructor golf group a few times a year across the country.
One of my biggest challenges is putting. It is my least favourite part of the game and the one I practice the least, even though it makes up most of your shots. I have tried different grips and techniques, but the putter just is not my confidence club. I am working on it, and I know if I can improve, I could get my handicap down into the teens, as it is currently 21.
Golf is a love-hate game. I say this because one moment, everything is perfect with great weather, good friends, and beautiful scenery. And the next, I could hit a terrible shot and get frustrated in seconds.
But mostly, I love golf for the challenge, the fun, and the friendships it brings.