As a mom, my days are often filled with the hustle and bustle of school runs, grocery shopping, and the never-ending laundry pile. My hobbies, for the most part, are confined to fitting in a quick spin session on the Peloton or reading a book while hiding in the bathroom for some alone time. So, when my husband encouraged me to try golf—yes, actual golf—I laughed at first. I mean, I’m lucky if I get a minute to myself, but then I thought to myself, if he is encouraging this, why not! What if golf could be my thing? Something just for me, something new. Maybe it was time to swing into something different.

Step One: The Golf Simulator

I’d heard of golf simulators before but didn’t know much about them. The concept seemed simple enough: instead of hitting balls on an actual course, you use a high-tech simulator that mimics the real thing. You can practice your swing, play on virtual courses, and get instant feedback on your performance. Sounds pretty great for a newbie like me, right? No need to worry about getting lost on an actual course or spending hours walking around with a club in hand. Plus, the whole thing sounded like a fun adventure!

So, one weekend afternoon, my husband and I decided to make a trip to the local indoor golf facility, The Cutting Edge Training Center in Wallingford, CT. I had no idea what to expect, but I was ready to give it a shot (pun intended).

Walking Into the Simulator Room: First Impressions

As soon as we entered the simulator area, I was immediately struck by how... high-tech everything seemed. The room was simple, clean and modern, with a large screen showing what looked like a gorgeous golf course. The space was calm, yet there was an energy in the air that felt almost sporty—a little intimidating, but exciting too.

Greg, one of the owners, was super friendly and welcoming. We brought our 5 month old daughter with us, and he was more than accommodating toward our needs as parents with a young child. Greg really took the time to show us around and how to use the simulator system. The setup was pretty cool: you stand in front of a screen and hit a real ball into a net that records your swing and sends the data to the computer, which then generates how your ball would’ve behaved in real life. The simulator tracks everything: your distance, speed, trajectory, and more. No pressure, right?

The First Swing: Awkward, but Fun!

I’m going to be honest: my first swing was awkward. Like, full-on “I have no idea what I’m doing” awkward. I was holding the driver (the big club) like a baseball bat, which I later learned is not exactly the ideal way to hold a golf club. The ball barely moved. It sort of dribbled off the tee, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at myself. But the simulator was forgiving—it didn’t make me feel like a total failure. Instead, it offered a helpful swing analysis and a few pointers. The numbers on the screen were a bit overwhelming, but Greg and my husband were both patient, explaining things step-by-step.

Getting the Hang of It

After a few more swings, I started to get the feel for it. I adjusted my stance, corrected my grip, and focused on the motion rather than trying to force the ball down the “fairway” (or whatever the golf experts call it). It wasn’t perfect, but every swing felt a little smoother than the last. And honestly, it was so much fun! There’s something about trying something new that makes you feel energized.

The Virtual Course: Playing a Round

After some practice, it was time to actually play a round on the virtual course. I was given a choice of several famous courses, and while I knew I wasn’t going to play like Bryson DeChambeau, I picked one that seemed scenic and relatively beginner-friendly.

I hit the ball down the “fairway” (okay, it was more like a rough patch) and watched as it flew across the screen. The simulator was incredibly realistic, even offering environmental factors like wind and terrain. Every time I hit the ball, I felt a sense of achievement, even if the ball didn’t land exactly where I wanted it to.

We played a few holes, and by the end, I was hooked. I didn’t care if I wasn’t a golf pro—I was enjoying the experience, learning along the way, and loving the challenge of getting better with each swing.

Reflections on Trying Something New

As I left the simulator room that day, I felt a little lighter. There was something deeply satisfying about stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something completely new. Golf may not be the sport I’ve always dreamed of mastering, but it’s something that made me feel empowered in a way I hadn’t felt in a while.

In many ways, this experience reminded me that it’s never too late to try new things. As a mom, it’s easy to lose sight of your own passions or forget that you deserve to carve out time for yourself. But doing something like this—even if it’s as simple as swinging a club at a virtual ball—was a refreshing reminder that there’s joy to be found in the unfamiliar.

So, will I be the next golfing legend? Probably not. But I will definitely be back to that simulator. And maybe next time, I’ll even make it through a whole round without laughing at my swing!

The Takeaway:

If you’ve been thinking about learning something new, I highly recommend stepping out of your routine and giving it a try. Golf, golf simulators, or any other activity—don’t wait for the “perfect time.” As a mom, it’s easy to put ourselves last, but we deserve a little fun too. Who knows, you might just discover a new passion... or at least a new hobby to talk about at the next PTA meeting.

Until next time, I’ll be practicing my swing (and my confidence) at the simulator!