The NL Golf Season is Upon Us

We made it! Our slumbersome bodies creak from golf hibernation and from the long, cold, grey weight of a Newfoundland winter. For now, perhaps we have a month of less frigid temperatures and unpredictable weather, but just enough light and warmth for golf courses to open their gates and welcome the brave souls who will begin the quest to find their dormant golf swing.

All narrative gloom aside, our winter this year was actually quite mild. While my beastly snow blower took up a bulky corner of my indoor golf studio, ready to deploy into each blizzard that might bury us alive, its engine was only fired into action twice. I almost feel sad for its unused enthusiasm… almost. After a 2024 winter season that lingered well into June, our golf courses in St. John’s felt the wrath of uncompromising weather and temperatures, but this year… this year is a new beginning and a welcomed early start.

Ground’s crews have risen to the challenge with passion and determination. With the combination of favourable weather and incredible work ethic, they are soon to unveil their works of art, the emerald fields where we experience the depth of emotions that only golf can influence upon us, the green coliseum that houses our beloved game.

Golf friendships will reform, competition will reignite, and leagues will swing into the season, delighted for each ball struck, no matter how deep into the woods they disappear. This is a new season, and one we embrace, curious of what golf accomplishments might await and which fresh goals we may surpass.

To offer some advice on how to make the most of the early season, I suggest patience. Enjoy the outdoor experience, finding a comfortable swing and the search for good contact. Manage your early expectations. I would even suggest avoiding keeping score for the first little while as the dust shakes loose or create your own scorecard with more forgiveness. For example, give yourself an extra stroke per hole, turning a Par 4 into a Par 5, or a Par 5 into a Par 6. Heck, give yourself the leeway of two more strokes per hole as you explore and discover your early season swing. As the courses grow in with the warmth of summer weather, our swings too shall take form and ideal scoring opportunities will arrive. Until then, lower expectations of your golf performance and focus on the main priority of this amazing game…, have fun!  

Welcome to the 2025 golf season in Newfoundland!