We believe it’s never been more important to come out and play. So why not share the experience with a friend this summer but has never played golf before?

Lindsay Knowlton, the founder of ‘Iron Lady Golf,’ has helped hundreds of golfers to get into the game, love the game, and tell their friends about how awesome it is. Even though 80 percent of potential first-time golfers end up declining an opportunity to play because it’s a lot easier to say ‘no’ than to embarrass yourself.

“If you are someone who has the opportunity to help someone enter the game, it’s really about making it have the least amount of intimidation as possible,” Lindsay says.

The best part about the game is how much joy it can bring people, so it should be an easy sell.

“I love that you can play with anyone, at any age, at any ability, anywhere in the world,” she says. “It literally is the only sport where a brand-new, never-played-before golfer can go out with a PGA or LPGA Tour player. As long as you’re playing at the same pace the rest of it doesn’t matter – you can just enjoy it!”

If you’re looking to invite a friend who has never played golf before, Lindsay answers some of the most commonly asked questions.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Making sure you have the right equipment on your body is always a struggle, Lindsay says, and one of the reasons why people decline an invite. But she says she likes to keep it simple: just wear a shirt with a collar, running shoes, and on the bottom, you can wear almost anything – public courses are less strict with a dress code, but a quick check online can help.

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I ARRIVE?

Showing up at a golf course for the first time is a highly intimidating situation, Lindsay admits. But the easy way to ease this intimidation is to travel with your friend (if you’re in the same ‘bubble’) or at minimum, just meet them in the parking lot. If they’re alone, the questions arise: What’s a pro shop? What’s a clubhouse? Where do I go? But being with a friend when you invite them to play is an easy thing to help with.

I DON’T HAVE GOLF CLUBS?

 Especially if you’re starting, Lindsay says, you really only need four or five clubs (Driver, hybrid, 7-iron, pitching wedge, putter). “It’s like going to a restaurant where a menu has 85 pages of food… that’s what having 14 golf clubs is like,” says Lindsay. “Simplify the situation.”

HOW DO I SWING?

Lindsay has a bunch of swing-tip videos (and Golf Town Athlete Lisa ‘Longball’ Vlooswyk has hosted virtual clinics, too) and there is certainly no shortage of introductory content online. If you’re inviting someone out, Lindsay says, send them a couple videos on how to putt, how to hold the club, and how to stand. “It can be really stressful as the host. But give them a couple tips online to practice at home,” Lindsay says, “it’s not intimidating and there is a bit more knowledge before you go to the course.”

HOW DO I PLAY?

 Lindsay says the best thing you can say to someone who has never played is to make sure they know they don’t have to hit every shot. There is nothing wrong with the ‘double-par rule’ (if you hit six shots on a par three, for example, just pick up and enjoy the walk) or playing off a partner. You could play a scramble, which makes things more fun, and 100 percent takes the pressure off.