Anyone who claims that golf is elitist and boring has probably never played a round of golf with Antje Heissel.
Two-time Ski & Golf World Champion, PGA Pro Coach at Gut Neuhof Golf Club near Frankfurt – and someone who, with passion, humor, and a down-to-earth attitude, demonstrates that golf is anything but stuffy. I had the pleasure of playing a morning round with her – and let's just say: I not only worked on my tee shot, but also learned a lot.
In her article, she offers honest (and ironic) insights into the world of golf – beyond prejudices, clichés, and dress code debates. Enjoy reading – and perhaps even rethinking.
Golf for everyone – or an elite circle?
"You play golf? Then your parents must have a lot of money."
A phrase I've heard more than once. But honestly, I financed golf myself in my youth. A youth membership cost me 150 € per year, the training another 250 €. Later, I made the jump to the women's team – and received support from the club.
That's not the norm. Many people don't discover golf until their mid-20s or even later. And then? Joining fee, running costs of about 1,600 € per year. By comparison, a premium gym in a major German city now charges 130 € or more per month.
And then there's the time factor. A wise person once said:
“The true luxury in the Gulf is time.”
There is definitely something to that.
The path begins with the golf license to play
At least in German-speaking countries. My favorite topic!
You book 12 coaching sessions, get your golf license, and then you can play golf... well, almost. Anyone who plays knows: you never stop learning.
By the way, in many other countries, it's "pay and play" – simple as that. Are these players any worse? I doubt it.
Golf fever - and then comes the costs
A bag, irons, woods, wedges, putter, balls, tees, towels, rangefinders, shoes, gloves, an engraved pitchfork (thanks to all the friends with creative gift ideas!), and of course: clothing. You don't want to look like a beginner.
As a woman, I initially looked for skirts like those I was used to from tennis. For golf, they were knee-length—not my thing. So I just kept wearing my tennis skirts. At first, I only wore light-colored pants, which turned out to be impractical.
At 24, I bought my first "real" pair of golf pants: stretch, soft waistband, four pockets – I loved it. A year later, I bought the same pair in black – but they didn't fit quite as well. I had to live with that.
Today: Function meets style
Until this year, as a PGA pro, I got by with just two pairs of pants. I'm all the more pleased that artes motus now equips me – with comfortable, lightweight, stretchy pants that have extra pockets for tees and are simply perfectly cut. Plus, polo shirts that, thanks to the silicone waistband inside the pants don't ride up. A clever solution! (The founder, by the way, was standing on the tee with a broad grin – but after the shot, the grin disappeared for a moment...)
If that's too classic for you: golf leggings with practical pockets for smartphones, tees, etc. are also available.
And then there was the shirt collar...
It used to be a requirement for course etiquette. Until Nike launched a polo shirt without a traditional collar – and the golf world debated: Is that even allowed? My opinion: Wear what you like. Fortunately, golf fashion has come a long way. And yes, blue jeans can stay at home 😉.
My honest conclusion - directly from the Halfway House
Golf is a wonderful sport that you should definitely try. It is versatile, challenging and there is hardly anything more beautiful than playing 9 holes in the evening under golden light.
For those who are new to golf: Yes, there are a few things to get started with—but you don't have to buy every gadget right away. Find a nearby club so you can play often. And calculate the monthly costs—suddenly, everything won't seem so expensive anymore. (We do this with almost everything these days: gym, dance class, streaming service...)
And finally:
Dear Marc , thank you for the relaxed and enjoyable round of golf this morning! And a little tip for your tee shot: Maybe consider taking some coaching lessons. I know someone who's a good fit . 😉
Here's to a good game!