When I was in high school, I was on the golf team. But I wanted to quit in order to join the swim team, as one of my favorite pastimes was swimming around the lake at our family’s cottage. 

When I told my parents my plans to quit golf, my dad put his foot down. “Bad idea. What do you think you’re going to do, go on a date someday and say, ‘Hey, baby, let’s swim around the lake?’ No – you’re going to say, let’s go golf. Golf is a lifetime sport you can play with your husband someday. Stick with it.”

He was right – my husband and I golf all the time. I also golf with friends and family.

That’s one of the benefits of being golfers – we’ve got this great activity we can do with people we know or people we want to get to know. 

But sometimes, we find ourselves between golf or life partners, and we need help finding someone to play with.

There are a variety of reasons one could be “on the market” when it comes to golf (and love): 

For example…

  • You’re new to golf and ready to start playing, but like the new kid on the block, you “need someone to play with.”

  • Your standing golf partner found her soulmate and is moving across the country for love, leaving you high and dry at the first tee.  (The nerve!)

  • You’re a seasoned golfer, but your foursome is slowly breaking up as life gets busy with work and kids.  (Don’t worry, the band will get back together someday…)

  • Your nest is finally empty, and you’re ready to play more golf… now you just need to find golfers in the same boat. (Have empty nest, will golf.)

  • You just got divorced, and although it was amicable, you realize you need a new golf partner. (You’re regretting not asking for a standing golf date in the divorce.)

  • You’re a single golfer and want to find someone who puts the PAR in partner. (wink wink)

We all want to find someone to play with on and off the course. Sometimes, we get lucky and meet those people IRL. However, it’s a busy world out there, and finding the “parfect someone,” whether for golf, love, or both, can be challenging. 

But remember, it’s 2024, and if you’re a golfer looking to get paired up (say it with me), there’s an app for that.  Below is just a sampling of the many online apps to help you find golf companionship and/or love:

  1. Golf Now: This is mainly a tee-time booking service that offers fantastic deals at courses around the country. While this isn’t an outright matching app, it might be a good entry point into finding new courses and the chance to meet new golfing partners.

  2. Meetup: Their motto, “the people platform where interests become friendships,” sums up why Meetup could be the perfect spot to find fellow golfers. Look for golf Meetup groups in your area, outings, and other events that fellow golfers would frequent.

  3. Tee Up: If you like doing a little recon before you select a partner, this app is for you. You can check out other golfers’ profiles and then send a friend request or direct message to get to know them before meeting.

  4. Golfing Buddy – Not only can you find new golf pals, but you can also find places to golf and golf events in your area. These things could lead to finding your perfect golf and/or life partner.

  5. Match.com & other dating apps – While not specifically geared to golf, remember that these apps match you with like-minded people. So, be sure to include golf in your profile interests, and hopefully, the algorithm will lead you to love on the greens.

Outside of App-Land, here are some additional suggestions:

  • Look for a Facebook group for golfers and check in often.

  • Ask around – put the word out at your golf course, to your golf instructor, or to your coworkers that golf that you’re looking for partners.

  • Go on a golf trip- there are many golf travel groups you could join that go all over the world, such as Womens Golf and Travel, Women on Fairways, or Mary Hafeman Golf. Or, join an organization in your area like Fore the Ladies – designed to bring more women to the game and bring them together to play.

  • Join a golf league. Don’t be intimidated – there are leagues available for golfers of all abilities.

  • Practice at an indoor facility and make new golf connections even during the off-season.

When it comes down to it, there are ENDLESS OPTIONS online (and IRL)  for finding like-minded golfers. The trick is investing our time and energy in doing something we love – golf- and like magic… we’ll attract others with common interests. 

Here’s to finding great partners, on and off the course!