When students envision themselves being a part of a high school sports team, golf typically isn’t one of the first sports that comes to mind. Golf tends to be thought of as an individual sport, a game where you only rely on yourself rather than on teammates. This, however, is not completely true, which is why more attention needs to be brought to the riveting game of golf.
There are a lot of misconceptions about the sport: people think that it’s boring, it’s only for rich people, and there’s little interaction. But these things aren’t at all true. Not only does the team create the opportunity to learn etiquette, but it’s one of the best ways to connect with classmates and students from other schools due to the one on one nature of the game. When on the course, pressure is low and the energy is high.
The Terra Linda girls’ golf team doesn’t get enough recognition. In the 26-27 year, the team dropped to a single player, emphasizing the need for new players.
Former golf team member Simone Dayton started golf her sophomore year and loved the team so much that she continued playing through her senior year. “Golf isn’t as much about being athletic as it is about being social,” Dayton explained. “The matches consist of walking through the course and talking to the girls you meet from the different schools.” Throughout Dayton’s three years playing golf for Terra Linda, the team remained close, participating in activities like team lunches and weekend outings. What Dayton misses most about the team are “the people”. “We did a lot of non golf activities together, and I will forever value the connection that I found on the team,” Dayton said.
When Dayton started her sophomore season, she had never touched a golf ball before. “Steve [the TL girls’ golf coach] and the team really just help you through it and give you tips to start out,” she reflected. Whether you know how to golf or not, it’s a sport anyone can participate in. The biggest advice Dayton would give to anyone thinking about joining the team would be to “take the risk.” This brought Dayton not only admiration for the sport, but friends that will last a lifetime.
Despite just being an entertaining sport, a little bit of practice can take you a long way. “If you put in any sort of dedication during practice, you will make a lot of improvement in a short amount of time,” Dayton said. At the beginning of her first season, Dayton didn’t know how to even hold a golf club. By the end of her senior year, Dayton worked her way up to number three on the team, crushing the ball straight down the green.
All in all, the Terra Linda girls’ golf team doesn’t get enough recognition. The sport is so much more than just the quiet, slow, individual sport people imagine it to be. It creates connections and gives the opportunity to meet people they may not have otherwise known. Sometimes you never know what you’re missing until it becomes a part of your life. If you’re considering doing a sport but unsure what to do, girls golf is worth a try. Being on the golf team could end up being one of the most memorable parts of high school.
