One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from beginners—and even really good athletes—is that if they work hard, take a few lessons and practice consistently, they'll become a great golfer pretty quickly.

And while hard work absolutely matters, golf doesn't work quite like other sports.

In fact, golf is one of the few sports where the longer you play, the more you realize how much you still have to learn.

Athleticism helps. Hard work matters. But neither one replaces experience.

Golf asks so much more of you than simply being athletic. You have to learn swing mechanics, course management, the mental game, emotional control, decision-making, distance control, different lies, changing weather conditions, rules, etiquette—and perhaps most importantly, patience.

Today's episode isn't about telling you golf is hard. It's about helping you understand why golf is different. Because once you understand that, you can stop comparing your progress to other sports and start appreciating the incredible journey that golf really is.

In this episode, we talk about:

● Golf has no finish line

● Golf is much more than a swing

● Athleticism helps, but it doesn't replace experience

● Your biggest opponent is YOU

● Golf rewards slowing down

● Failure is part of golf

● Golf is a game of character

● Every round is different

● Improvement isn't linear

● Golf teaches us about life

If you're new to golf—or maybe you've been playing for a while and find yourself getting frustrated—we hope today's episode helps change your perspective.

You're not behind. You're not failing. You're learning one of the most challenging and rewarding games ever created.

Give yourself permission to be a beginner. Celebrate the small victories. Keep showing up.

Because golf isn't about arriving—it's about growing. And the beautiful thing about this game is that there's always something new to learn.

And THAT is why golf is unlike any other sport.

Thanks for tuning in to the Golf Party Live Podcast.

Have fun and GO LOW! ⛳️🎉

Golf Excuses - we've all got them… and today we're calling them out!

Donna and Boo are joined by a very special guest, Julie Ann — Donna's childhood BFF — for an episode that had us laughing from start to finish.

We're not talking swing mechanics. We're not talking equipment or how to shave strokes off your game. We're talking about something every single golfer has: EXCUSES!

We're breaking down some of the funniest, most relatable, and most ridiculous golf excuses we've heard over the years — and we may even admit to a few of our own.
We get into:
Weather excuses — too hot, too cold, too windy… you know the drill

Equipment excuses — because obviously it was the club

Body excuses — the back, the knees, the shoulder, the hangover…

Course excuses — greens, bunkers, rough, bad lies and everything in between

Partner excuses — when someone else is clearly responsible for your bad golf

Mental excuses — because golf lives rent-free in our heads

And our Hall of Fame Golf Excuses — the ones that deserve their own trophy

If you've ever blamed a bad round on anything other than yourself, this episode is for you.

We had an absolute blast recording this one, and we hope you laugh right along with us!

Now it's your turn — what's YOUR go-to golf excuse? Listen to the episode and then come find us on social media at Golf Party Live and tell us the best excuse you've ever used or heard. We may just share our favorites!

And help us keep growing the Golf Party Live community: follow or subscribe to the podcast, leave us a rating or review, and send this episode to that golfing friend who ALWAYS has an excuse ready. You know exactly who they are!

Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts — and let's keep making golf more fun together!

Today we're joined by special guest Deb McAvay, President of the Seville Ladies Golf Club, who brings a wealth of knowledge about women's golf leagues, country club golf, member events, and helping women get involved in the game.

But this episode isn't just about joining a golf league. It's about something much bigger:

How do you go from taking golf lessons to actually becoming a golfer?

It's something Donna tells her students all the time: You can't become a golfer by living on the driving range. The range teaches you how to hit golf shots. The golf course teaches you how to play golf—and those are two completely different skills.

In this episode, we're talking about how to take that next step and actually get out there and PLAY.

In This Episode:

⛳ Why getting on the golf course is essential to becoming a golfer
⛳ How to know when you're ready to start playing
⛳ Why Donna created Golf Party Live Ladies Play
⛳ The benefits of joining a women's golf league
⛳ 9-hole vs. 18-hole leagues
⛳ What to expect when joining a country club golf league
⛳ Spark Golf and other ways to find opportunities to play
⛳ Invitations, member events and getting involved at your club
⛳ Deb's insight on women's golf and helping newer golfers feel welcome
⛳ Building confidence, friendships and experience through actually playing the game

You don't have to be a great golfer before you get on the course. Playing the game is how you become a golfer.

If you've been taking lessons, practicing on the range and wondering, "Am I ready?"—this episode is for you.

It's time to get off the range and onto the course!

Have fun & Go Low! ⛳️

Golf does not have to stop when the weather does.

Whether you are battling the summer heat in Arizona or snow-covered courses in the northern states, today's technology makes it easier than ever to keep your game sharp all year long.

In this episode of the Golf Party Live Podcast, we are diving into the exciting world of indoor golf, simulators, and modern golf entertainment. Golf has changed dramatically over the past decade, and today there are more ways than ever to play, practice, compete, and have fun.

In this episode, we discuss:

*How golf is evolving and becoming more accessible
*Why you no longer have to play 18 holes to enjoy the game
*The "Topgolf Effect" and how entertainment venues have introduced millions of people to golf
*Other fun golf experiences, including PopStroke and Putting World
*Indoor simulator facilities like Back Nine Golf and Stingers Golf Bar
*At-home golf simulators and whether they are worth the investment
*Should beginners practice on simulators?
*The benefits and limitations of simulator golf
*The social side of indoor golf and why these venues are creating new golf communities
*How indoor golf can help you stay connected to the game no matter the season
*Whether you are looking to improve your game, stay active during extreme weather, or simply enjoy golf in a fun new way, this episode will show you why indoor golf has become such a big part of the game's future.

Thank you for being a loyal listener of the Golf Party Live Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your golfing friends—especially someone who wants to keep playing and improving all year long.


Have fun… and GO LOW!

We're taking you to the mountains for a full recap of our Golf Party Live Tahoe Golf Retreat!

Sixteen women. Two and a half rounds of golf. Three rental vehicles. Incredible golf courses. Beautiful mountain scenery. Dinners together. Shopping. Sardine Lake. TJ Sport polos. Lots of laughs, new friendships, and even a little unexpected adventure along the way!

And we're not recapping Tahoe alone! Two of our Tahoe Retreaters, Katie and Mileah, join Donna and Boo to share their take on the trip and some of their favorite memories.

We're taking you through the entire retreat:
How everyone ended up in Tahoe and our travel-day adventures

Three rental vehicles, a Costco run and getting everyone settled in

Our first night together at beautiful Sardine Lake

Our first round at Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club — our "Diamonds in the Pines"

A free day with lunch at Gar Woods, shopping in Truckee and taking in Lake Tahoe

Round two at the incredible Grizzly Ranch Golf Club, decked out in our matching TJ Sport retreat polos

Dinners at the house, plenty of laughs and a dance party to finish off our final night

Twelve of our ladies squeezing in nine holes at The Dragon, one of the most challenging courses of the trip — and loving it!

And an unexpected ending when fires in the area forced us to take a major detour to the airport. It took a little longer, but the drive was absolutely beautiful and our group rolled with the adventure!

This retreat was about so much more than golf. It was about getting out of the Arizona heat, experiencing incredible courses, trying something new, laughing together and building friendships and memories that will last long after the final putt dropped.

That is what a Golf Party Live Retreat is all about.

Want to join us on a future Golf Party Live event or retreat? Follow Golf Party Live on social media and follow or subscribe to the Golf Party Live Podcast so you don't miss what's coming next.

And if you know a golfer who would LOVE traveling, playing beautiful courses and making new golf friends, send her this episode! It might just be the push she needs to join us on the next adventure.

Until next time, keep enjoying yourself on the golf course, keep making friends and memories…and GO LOW!

Today we're talking about something almost every golfer needs help with: chipping vs. pitching. What's the difference, when should you use each one, and how do you hit these shots with confidence?

The short game is where so many women struggle, but it's also one of the fastest places to lower your scores once you understand your options and develop a little feel around the greens.

In this episode, we're breaking it all down in a simple, easy-to-understand way.

In This Episode:

⛳ What is a chip shot?
⛳ What is a pitch shot?
⛳ How to decide which shot to hit around the green
⛳ Which wedges should you use?
⛳ Can—and should—you hit your wedges full out?
⛳ The must-dos for short-game success
⛳ How to practice and develop better feel
⛳ How to become more confident around the greens

By the end of this episode, you'll have a much better understanding of your short-game options and feel more confident choosing—and committing to—the right shot.

Have fun & Go Low! ⛳️

Every golfer has been there.

One minute you are feeling confident, and the next you are hitting balls out of bounds, finding every water hazard, chunking bunker shots, topping drives, and wondering if you have forgotten how to play golf.

If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Golf Party Live Podcast, Donna gets personal and shares her own experience with golf chaos this year. It's an honest conversation about why difficult rounds happen, why we panic, and how to reset mentally so one bad shot—or even one bad hole—doesn't ruin your entire day.

In this episode, we discuss:

● What golf chaos really looks like:

● Out-of-bounds shots

● Lost balls

● Water hazards

● Bunkers that seem impossible to escape

● Topped shots and missed hits

● Why this isn't failure—it's simply part of the game of golf

● Why golfers panic when things start going wrong

● The pressure we put on ourselves to play the "perfect" round

● Why you don't have to finish every hole perfectly

● Practical strategies for getting back on track after a bad shot or bad hole

● The mental side of golf:

● Nervous energy

● Negative thought spirals

● Staying emotionally in control

● How to reset your mindset and regain confidence

● One of the biggest practice mistakes golfers make:

● Hitting balls with no target and no purpose

● Why intentional practice leads to better performance on the course

● Keeping golf in perspective:

● Every golfer has good days and bad days

● Gratitude for being outside, spending time with friends, and playing a game we love

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced golfer, this episode is a reminder that bad rounds happen to everyone. The key isn't avoiding golf chaos—it's learning how to respond when it shows up.

Thank you for listening to the Golf Party Live Podcast! If this episode resonated with you, please share it with one of your golfing friends—especially someone who needs the reminder that one bad shot doesn't define their round.

As always… have fun and GO LOW!

Have you ever striped the ball on the driving range, only to step onto the golf course and wonder what happened to your swing?

If you have experienced that, you're not alone—and you are definitely not losing your game.

In this episode of the Golf Party Live Podcast, we break down one of the biggest misconceptions in golf: practicing on mats versus playing on real grass. While both have their place, they provide very different feedback, and understanding those differences can dramatically improve your practice and your confidence.

In this episode, we discuss:

● Why mats and grass are not the same

● The pros of practicing on mats:

● Convenient and accessible

● Lighted driving ranges for evening practice

● Home practice setups and simulators

● The limitations of mats:

● Firm surfaces can hide swing flaws

● Why hitting too steeply can lead to wrist, elbow, or shoulder injuries

● How mats can create a false sense of solid contact

● The pros of practicing on grass:

● Honest, real-world feedback

● Learning to strike the ball before the ground

● Why grass never lies

● The challenges of grass:

● Harder to find and maintain

● More expensive

● Lies and conditions constantly change

● The modern practice reality:

● Why so many golfers now practice primarily on mats and simulators

● Why mats are an excellent training tool—but grass is the ultimate test

● Why the transition from mats to grass feels so difficult

● What your brain is experiencing when your shots suddenly change

● What to focus on during practice to make your skills transfer to the golf course

● How to practice with purpose and build lasting confidence

Whether you are a brand-new golfer or you have been playing for years, this episode will help you better understand why your range game doesn't always show up on the course—and how to fix it.

Thank you for listening to the Golf Party Live Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your golfing friends—especially someone who feels like they can hit it great on the range but struggles once they get on the golf course.

Have fun… and GO LOW!