If you’ve been following along on my journey into golf lessons, thank you. I hope you enjoyed my story and that you also gained some insight into what it’s like to learn something new when you think you’re past the age of learning something new. And if it encouraged you to get out of your comfort zone a bit, whether on the golf course or somewhere else that intimidates you, even better.

Now that I’ve had some time to reflect on my experience, there are a few final thoughts I’d love to share, a few questions that I don’t want to leave unanswered. Questions like, “Did I ever get a real golf outfit or did I just wear my husband’s oversize golf shirt the entire time?” Answer: I still haven’t bought anything that actually fits me and is made for women, but I did walk through the women’s golf department at Dick’s and saw a few things I’d love to try. So, cute golf clothes are going to happen. Soon.

You may also recall that my 16-year-old son, Sam, took four out of my six golf lessons with me. This was my way of spending some one-on-one time with him and bonding over a shared experience. And, for the most part, it was successful.  He did the usual teenage grumbling when we had to leave for lessons, and wasn’t always patient with what we were learning, but that’s to be expected. Mostly, I loved seeing him in a new environment as well as how the lessons were something that just the two of us in the family were doing. He’s not eager to get out and play again right now because of school and his tennis commitments, but I suspect that the lessons planted the golf seed, and he’ll be interested in trying it again when he gets older.

I should also add that having Sam with me when trying something new was definitely a comfort. I’d encourage anyone else who’s thinking of starting lessons to have a friend join them because there’s definitely less pressure when you’re not the only newbie. If you don’t have any friends interested in lessons, maybe look into a group class for beginners. You’ll get the added bonus of meeting new people, too.

Unfortunately, I haven’t played a round of golf since my lessons, but that’s more because of the triple digit heat in Austin than any lack of desire. The friends who know about my lessons are definitely intrigued by what I’ve told them, and happily, we’ve made plans to go to a driving range once the kids are back in school, and we can go outside without bursting into flames. My friend, Stacy, in particular is interested in joining me, mostly because her daughter is on the golf team at school, and she’d like to improve her own game.

I’d like to thank the LPGA Women’s Network and my golf pro, Marci Brock, for this opportunity to try something new, because it really was a great experience. Not only did my lessons teach me the game of golf, which I plan to keep playing, but they taught me that age should never stop you from getting out of your comfort zone.

No matter how old you are, keep swinging.