Double Bogey Club?

I was talking with an accountant recently about whether she wanted to learn to golf. She laughed and said, "I'd love to be the one doing 'networking' with clients at the golf course instead of being the one back at the office while the guys go 'golfing' for work."

Then she admitted something I've heard over and over again:

"Golf feels intimidating."

Honestly, I get it.About 10 years ago, I judged the professional project portion of an accounting case competition. One team's idea was to host a golf outing with local accounting firms. I remember rolling my eyes. It felt exclusive. It felt gendered. It felt like one more example of the "good ol' boys" culture that so many people associate with golf.

Never in a million years would I have guessed that a decade later my family and I would become completely obsessed with the game. So when people criticize golf culture, I don't dismiss it. I've felt that way too. Since that time I discovered golf during the pandemic, when we were all looking for things we could do outdoors. In that time, I discovered what golf can be...

A twilight tee time with people whose company you genuinely enjoy. Golden hour stretching across the fairway. Walking instead of rushing. Celebrating one great shot and laughing at the next three terrible ones.

That's the version of golf I wish more people experienced. Golf isn't the product, it just happens to be the vehicle for community, humility (in a good way) and (very eventually)confidence.

That's also why we started & Nine. We're intentionally designing experiences that make golf feel approachable and remove the pressure of waiting until you're "good enough."

I would never try to make golf less intimidating by pretending it's easy. We're trying to make it less intimidating by making it okay to be bad at it.

Here's what that looks like.

1. Learn from someone who's still learning.

Our son Tate has played golf for five years. He's a First Tee Junior Ace, a youth caddie, and a junior coach who genuinely enjoys helping new golfers.

He's also still working toward consistency and celebrating milestones like breaking 100.Having someone on site who remembers exactly what it feels like to be new makes a difference. Golf is hard. Learning doesn't have to be.

2. Celebrate average golf.

Our first event on August 20th with the WSCPA is called Bogeys & Brews. Not Birdies & Brews.

Because, honestly, most of us aren't making birdies.

We wanted the name itself to communicate something before anyone even arrived: this event isn't just for people who already know how to play. It's for people who are curious, want to laugh a little, and maybe hit a few golf balls with friends.

You don't have to be good at golf to belong here.

3. Join the Double Bogey Club.

We'll have Double Bogey Club stickers at the event, and at all & Nine Events. Why? Because we'd rather celebrate showing up.

I'm still a 30+ handicap golfer. I still top drives. I still have rounds where I wonder why I play this game.

(I'm also still way better than my co-founder, Avery. He'll probably disagree, but this is my blog. 😉)

None of us are showing up because we've mastered golf. We're showing up because it's fun to learn

together.

I don't think women should have to learn golf simply because business happens on the golf course. Business should happen anywhere people can build relationships. But until that changes, I'd love for more people to feel like they have the choice to join the conversation instead of watching it happen from the office. I'd love for golf to be another way to connect instead of another barrier.

If & Nine becomes known for anything, I hope it's this: That we helped create a version of golf where beginners feel welcome. Where average golfers are celebrated. Where asking questions is encouraged and where 'people watching you tee off' no longer feels intimidating.

Come to Bogeys & Brews at Reubens Barrel House. Borrow our clubs. Hit one shot or twenty. Pick up a Double Bogey Club sticker. Stay for the conversation.