Written by Golf Town Ambassador Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk

1. Corporate/Business Networking

I attend more than 30 corporate and charity golf tournaments each year. Typically, 75 to 80 per cent of attendees are men. Where are the women? Back at the office, while the men are doing the networking. This is a missed opportunity!

People do business with people they know, like and trust. Do you want a one-hour lunch with a client or four hours on the golf course? A round of golf gives you face time that you could never get at the office. When is the last time a prospective client booked you for a four-hour meeting?

Women often tell me they do not think they are good enough to tee it up with the boys. Ladies, some of the worst golf swings I have ever seen are from the guys at corporate golf tournaments. Here is the secret: Men do not care if they hit a bad shot. They are too busy laughing, joking around, sipping a cold beverage and truly enjoying themselves and the experience.

We need to get over ourselves. Women do not like to do things poorly, especially in front of our male counterparts. But I will let you in on one more secret: The guys don’t care if you hit a good shot. They care if you are fun to play with, keep the pace and generally know how to get it around. You don’t have to be breaking 100 to accept that next golf tournament invitation, especially if it is a scramble format.

2. Social Time

Golf is an incredibly social sport, perfect to play with a group of close friends. Some of my best memories in golf come from the hilarious moments on the course when someone makes a once-in-a-lifetime shot or reliving the highlights and lowlights of the round at the 19th hole.

Buddies’ golf trips are a perfect way to reconnect with friends and have bonding time while travelling to a sunny locale and playing breathtaking courses.

Many women I know belong to 9- or 18-hole ladies’ leagues that always include wine, laughter and smiles. This is a great opportunity to practice the game in a safe and fun environment, see your girlfriends weekly, be outdoors and be active.

3. Family Benefits

I have found golf to provide special family time. In this age of phones, tablets and gaming, you would be hard pressed to go out in public and not see parents and children glued to their electronics.

On the course the devices are put away, especially if you are walking. It gives families a chance to reconnect and do something together. When my husband and I play with our elementary-aged son, we not only encourage each of his shots and cheer him on, but also teach him that golf is a game of honour and about the rules and etiquette of the game, such as not moving or talking when someone else is swinging and shaking hands at the end.

When we walk down the fairways or ride in the cart together, we talk about the game, the next shot and what he is doing in school, his friends and hockey. We have also been lucky enough to play with my dad, making three generations of golfers in one foursome.

As a mom, I am so proud to see how golf has taught my son patience and given him confidence both on and off the course. My son loves sports. Golf has been such a wonderful complement to his athletic development, helping him with balance, core strength and hand-eye coordination. I love that he has found a sport he can play for life.

Golf is also a great sport to play as a couple. It is a fantastic way to spend the day together, especially on vacation. It is also a wonderful way for empty nesters to reconnect. I have heard women say they don’t want to be golf widows, so they take up the game and often love it.

I highly recommend taking lessons from a PGA of Canada golf instructor to get started. As for equipment and apparel needs, Golf Town has the largest selection for women in Canada, making it the perfect place to shop.

I am so excited to help grow women’s golf. I will be continuing my tour of Golf Town locations across Canada, conducting fun, entertaining and educational women’s golf clinics from coast to coast.

I hope to see you on the links or meet you at a Golf Town soon.

Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk is an eight-time Canadian Long Drive Champion for women. She is a keynote speaker, golf journalist, and golf entertainer, and just launched a new instructional video. Lisa can be reached through her website lisalongball.com or on Twitter @LisaLongball.