Hi, I’m JP, a business owner from the small island of Malta and a fresh golfer who only started playing a few years ago.
Growing up, I was never really into sports. In Europe, everyone seems to be obsessed with football, but it never interested me. So for the longest time, I didn’t have a sport I followed or practiced. That changed in 2022 when my life partner gave me a private golf lesson as a gift for my 32nd birthday.
At that point, I had only been to the Royal Golf Club in Malta (our one and only golf course) a couple of times. I found it fascinating—so much greenery and nature in a country that’s all about the sea and construction. I thought it was interesting but wasn’t sure if it was for me. Then came that first lesson, and I was hooked.
Beyond the challenge and sense of accomplishment, golf has become my escape. It’s a form of meditation for me
Starting Small
Even though I loved the idea of playing golf, I wasn’t 100% sure if it was worth committing to just yet. Golf isn’t exactly cheap, and I don’t come from a wealthy background, so I decided to dip my toes in first. I joined a weekly group training session instead of going all in with equipment and memberships.
After just a few weeks, I was sold!
Once I’m into something, I tend to get obsessed. I started consuming everything I could about golf—watching YouTube tutorials, learning about famous golfers (not just Tiger Woods—although everyone knows him), and scouring Facebook Marketplace for a decent set of clubs. Eventually, I found a used set and, later, bought another set because it included a driver and was cheaper than buying it separately.
Meanwhile, I was practicing as much as I could—attending lessons and heading to the driving range a few times a week to work on my swing.
Taking the Next Step
Once I finished my lessons, I joined the club and started playing full rounds. At first, I didn’t feel confident enough to play with others. My shots were all over the place—I was slicing, shanking, and losing balls constantly—so I mostly played by myself.
But even with the frustration that comes with learning golf, I loved it. Hitting one great shot after 10 bad ones felt amazing and kept me coming back. Plus, I enjoyed hanging out at the clubhouse and meeting a new group of people I wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise.
Getting Into Competitions
The club organizes beginner-friendly competitions called Happy Gilmore. It’s a 9-hole stableford format, which is great for high handicappers because only your good holes count toward your score.
Being an introvert, I needed a bit of a push to join (my partner helped with that), but I’m so glad I did. My first competition was a real eye-opener. Golf became about more than just the game—I started enjoying playing with others.
Most of the players were at least 30 years older than me, but that actually made it more interesting. I got to meet people from all sorts of backgrounds and countries, and I learned a lot from them.
Through these competitions, I built more confidence in my game. Now, I look forward to playing at least once a week, whether it’s with people I’ve met before or joining new players for a tee time.
In case you are new to playing with strangers, click here to check out this article about golf etiquette.
Why Golf Means So Much to Me
Beyond the challenge and sense of accomplishment, golf has become my escape. It’s a form of meditation for me. Life can be stressful and busy, but when I’m on the course, I can switch off completely and focus on the game. For those few hours, it’s just me, my swing, and the next hole.
Why I Started This Blog
I created this blog to share my experience as someone who got into golf later in life. I hope it helps other beginners or those who are curious about the game. Writing these posts is also a great way for me to learn and grow in the sport.
If you’re new to golf or thinking of starting, I’d love to hear your story. Feel free to leave a comment or check out my other posts for tips, advice, and more about this fantastic game.
2 Comments