Women needn’t hide their golf clubs in a cupboard upon entering motherhood. In fact, having a baby can open a whole new avenue within the game.
For PGA instructor Skye Choueiri, becoming ‘mum’ to Cruz last year was an incredible experience and continues to be. But as many new mums discover, while inside the baby bubble it can start to feel like the world has become a little bit smaller. Comforting initially, that bubble will eventually burst.
Emerging into the world as a new mum is daunting. The rules for society seem to shift and suddenly there’s a lot more to think about – all the time. The activities before becoming a mother now come with extra considerations. Will it fit in with nap time? Can I feed my baby comfortably? Can I be bothered to leave the house today? And when looking for those things to do with your new little companion, options can be limited, plus what is on offer is usually tailored to bub.
“There is nothing for mums to do themselves,” Choueiri said. “I think the only thing I could find geared towards giving the mum a little bit of time or something they could do with their baby was mums-and-bubs Pilates. That was the only thing I could find.”
Passionate about empowering women and girls to play golf even before becoming a mum, Choueiri was brainstorming how to see more prams beside greens.
“Before I had a baby I didn’t understand what it was like to have a baby. I didn’t understand timings and things like that.”
With her newfound, first-hand knowledge paired with being at a loss of what she and Cruz could do together, the PGA instructor tailored her own class for mums and bubs at Moore Park Golf Driving Range in inner-city Sydney.
“I wanted to do something similar to mums-and-bubs Pilates, but [through] golf,” Choueiri says. “You can take your baby to the golf course; you can take your baby to the range. As long as they’re fed and happy they’re pretty good to take on the golf course.”
Proving that the mums can juggle – and with Cruz alongside her – Choueiri hosted a sell-out class of 20 golfers at her first event.
“It was a really good way for me to meet new mums as well,” she says. “So as much as I’m there giving some tips and trying to create and build a community, it was something for me as well. I got to hit some golf balls with people as well.
“It goes to show that there are other mums looking to do other things, new experiences. I had some mums that had never played before and some mums that were members at golf courses.”
The format was designed to be welcoming with no prior golf experience necessary. The sessions hosted midweek run for two hours, with no set structure or lesson plan. Included with the $30 lesson is a coffee voucher, unlimited golf balls and equipment if needed.
“The mums have time to have a sip of their coffee, hit a few balls,” Choueiri says. “They then may need to give a feed or give their baby a snack.”
So far the response has been positive, and her next class on offer was another sell-out.
“I had very good feedback. As soon as the first event was done, I had messages on my phone going, ‘When’s the next one?’”
Not only did mums come along, but a few dads too. Acknowledging how important building a support network around mums is, as the old saying goes, it takes a village. “Especially for the mums who didn’t gel with their mums’ group they got put in or haven’t found one yet,” Choueiri says. “Something with similar interests and hobbies is really important. They get to prioritise their wellbeing – physically, socially – while still bonding with their baby and creating time for themselves. They get to enjoy the outdoors, pick up a new skill and connect with others that are going through a similar thing.”
For more than a decade, Choueiri’s passion for coaching and sharing her love of the game has driven her to foster old and new players and encourage women to get into golf. Five months after having Cruz, the first-time mum went back to work coaching part-time and taking Cruz out for rounds. But Choueiri says it’s a fine balance between her career and being there for the little moments, such as being missed and welcomed back to her home club at The Lakes Golf Club and Sydney Golf Academy. Getting out on the course hasn’t meant bub gets left behind, as Cruz has been coming too!
“People can do a double take – Oh, she’s got her golf clubs on her pram. I’ve had pretty positive experiences so far.”
But that’s not the reality for every new mum getting out on the greens, as Choueiri acknowledges some parents have negative experiences and that she has seen how hard it is for women entering and enjoying the game.
“I know some mums who are members at golf courses and have been banned from their golf course,” she says. “They can’t take their baby to the driving range, let alone the golf course. It’s sad. We should be encouraging women and new mums and kids to get out on the golf course. I don’t think we should be putting up any more barriers.”
Passionate about shifting attitudes surrounding female participation, Choueiri’s Mums and Bubs golf lessons are now running each month.
GETTING STARTED
Skye’s tips for mums, bubs and clubs
Listen to your body: Your body is still recovering, especially in the first year postpartum. Start slow and don’t push yourself too hard.
Start with the shorter clubs: Start with short irons and wedges rather than going straight into driver shots, especially if you are recovering from a caesarean.
Timing is everything: Choose the right time to take your baby with you to the course when they are well rested. The perfect time is during nap time.
Once at the course: Pick a quiet time of the day to get out on the course. Normally early mornings on the driving range are quieter than late afternoons. It might be a case of choosing your battles.
Bring entertainment: Make sure you pack some toys, books and snacks if it’s not nap time, just to keep them entertained.
Secure stroller: Ensure your baby is safely fastened in their stroller, especially at the driving range. It’s important to be able to see your baby at all times at the range as there’s swinging clubs and flying balls.
Go with a buddy: While going to the driving range alone is possible, it’s a lot more enjoyable with others. Bring a friend or your partner, if possible, to have someone else to help entertain bub while you hit golf balls and for someone to chat to.
Be flexible: Babies are unpredictable. If bub becomes fussy, take a break. If they ‘lose it’, cut it short. Pack up and try again another day. As hard as it might be, don’t let that discourage you – even babies have bad days.
