Well, fellow frostbitten golfers, we did it. We survived. Read my last article. The brutal winter storms, the months of indoor putting drills, the soul-crushing agony of watching tournament replays instead of actually playing—we’ve endured it all. And now, like a long-lost Pro V1 finally found in the rough, we emerge from the icy grip of winter, ready to reclaim our place on the golf course.

Spring is here. The fairways are thawing, the greens are almost puttable, and for the first time in months, your golf clubs are seeing sunlight instead of just gathering dust in the garage. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves—returning to the course after a long winter is a journey, one filled with hope, horror, and a whole lot of rust to shake off.

Step One: The Reunion (and the Lies We Tell Ourselves)

The moment you open your golf bag for the first time since December is emotional. It’s like seeing an old friend after years apart, except this friend has been through a rough patch—probably still covered in last season’s mud, with a faint odor of stale beer and regret. You whisper sweet nothings to your 7-iron, reassuring it that this year will be different.

And then, the self-deception begins.

“This is the year I fix my swing.”
“I’m going to take my time on the greens.”
“I won’t buy new clubs to solve my problems.”

Lies. All lies. But they feel good, so we roll with them.

Step Two: The First Round Back (a.k.a. The Humbling)

Ah, that first round of the season. You arrive at the course feeling like a golfer reborn, visions of smooth swings and perfect tempo dancing in your head. And then… reality strikes.

Your first tee shot? A low screamer that barely clears the forward tees.
Your second shot? A chunked iron that travels six feet.
Your third shot? A desperate attempt to remember how golf works.

By the back nine, you accept your fate: golf is hard, and winter made it harder. But hey, at least you’re out here, breathing in fresh air instead of screaming at your TV over a missed putt on The Golf Channel.

Step Three: Spring Course Conditions (a.k.a. Golf, But Swampier)

Spring golf is not for the faint of heart. The grass is patchy, the fairways are damp, and every bunker feels more like a quicksand trap. Your ball might plug so deep in the fairway that you need a search-and-rescue mission just to find it. And don’t even get me started on the greens—putting on spring grass is like rolling a marble across shag carpet.

And yet, we persevere. Why? Because the alternative is waiting another month, and that’s simply unacceptable. So we slip, we slide, we take relief from whatever casual water situation is happening in the fairway, and we celebrate the simple fact that we are golfing once again.

Step Four: The Delusional Season Goals Begin

With spring’s arrival comes the most dangerous part of the golf season: optimism. Suddenly, every golfer is convinced that this is their year.

“I’m finally going to break 80.”
“I’ll practice every week.”
“I’m getting a lesson to fix my slice.”

Of course, within weeks, we’ll be back to our usual antics—binge-watching golf tips instead of practicing, blaming our putter instead of our stroke, and deciding that a $600 driver is the real key to improvement. But until then, we dream big.

Step Five: The Pure Joy of Golf’s Return

Despite the struggles, the rust, and the inevitable reality check that winter stole whatever shred of talent we had left, nothing compares to that first round back. The feeling of walking the fairway, of nailing a solid iron shot, of draining a putt (even if it’s for double bogey)—these are the moments that make the long, cold months worth it.

So dust off those clubs, book that first tee time, and embrace the chaos of early spring golf. You may not break 80, you may not even break 100, but one thing’s for sure: it’s better than being stuck inside dreaming about it.

Welcome back to the course, friends. Let’s make this season one to remember. (Or at the very least, one to survive.)

Spring’s creeping up, golfers! The fairways are shaking off winter, and it’s time to get your game dialed in for 2025. Whether you’re chasing pars or just happy to keep it on the grass, here’s your chill guide to hitting the ground swinging. Let’s go!

Hack 1: Gear Check—Don’t Let Last Year’s Clubs Hold You Back

Dust off your bag and give it a look. Grips feeling like a slip-n-slide? Swap ‘em out—control’s king. And if your driver’s ancient, maybe peek at something fresh. We’ve got the lowdown on the Mizuno OMOI putters—heavier heads, smoother rolls, pure magic. Read the full review; it might just fix your green woes.

Hack 2: Swing Smarter, Not Harder

No need to rebuild your swing from scratch—just polish it. Try the “One-Club Challenge”: grab a 7-iron, hit the range, and mix it up—high, low, whatever. It’s all about feel over force. You’ll be outfoxing courses before the grass turns green.

Hack 3: Mindset Matters

Golf’s a mental game, and winter’s your prep window. Get inspired with some Pebble Beach greatness—like this hole-by-hole flyover narrated by Jim Nantz from Golf Digest. It’s a quick tour of every iconic shot at Pebble, perfect for daydreaming your spring opener. Visualize your ball sticking the green—you’ll be ready.

Hack 4: Score Early Deals

ClickitGolf’s serving up pre-season heat. The shop has deals flowing—Check out all the cool products. Grab ‘em now before the snowbirds invade. Road trip on the brain? Our HotelPlanner Travel partnership cuts costs on hotels and flights. More golf, less cash—done.

Hack 5: Ryder Cup Hype – Channel the Pros

Keegan Bradley captaining the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage? Unexpected and awesome. Start channeling that Team USA energy—watch Pebble Beach’s greatest moments on our video page for some clutch inspo. September’s gonna be a party; we’ll keep you posted on the news page.

Tee It Up!

Gear up, swing smart, snag deals, and get hyped—2025’s your year to own the course. What’s your spring prep go-to? Drop it in the comments—let’s get this crew fired up!

Golf is often seen as a sport of precision, patience, and strategy. But for many, the golf course has been more than just a field of play—it has been a setting for romance, a backdrop to chance encounters, and a place where love has blossomed amidst the rolling greens and sand traps. From serendipitous meetings to long-lasting partnerships, love stories on the golf course are as varied as the game itself.

One of the most well-known golf love stories is that of Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll. The two first crossed paths at the 2012 Ryder Cup, where Stoll, then working for the PGA of America, played a key role in ensuring McIlroy made it to his tee time on time after a scheduling mishap. What began as a simple act of kindness blossomed into a deep friendship and eventually a romance. The couple tied the knot in a stunning ceremony in 2017, but sadly ended their relationship recently.

For some, the golf course has set the stage for unforgettable romantic gestures. Dustin Johnson, one of the most dominant players in professional golf, found love with Paulina Gretzky, daughter of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. The couple first met in 2009 but didn’t start dating until 2013. Johnson proposed later that year, and they have since built a family together. Paulina has been a constant presence at tournaments, supporting Johnson as he has claimed major victories, including his 2020 Masters triumph.

Beyond proposals, many professional golfers have incorporated golf into their weddings. Brooks Koepka and actress Jena Sims, for example, have been an inseparable couple since they began dating in 2017. Known for their playful chemistry, Koepka and Sims tied the knot in a lavish beachside wedding in 2022. Jena, a passionate golfer herself, frequently accompanies Brooks to tournaments and has been a source of motivation through his career highs and lows.

Golf can be a competitive game, but for many professional players, it has also been a source of love and companionship. Tiger Woods, one of the greatest golfers of all time, has had a well-documented personal life. His relationship with former ski racer Lindsey Vonn was one of the most high-profile pairings in sports. Although they eventually parted ways, their shared passion for competition and mutual respect demonstrated how athletes from different disciplines can find common ground and support one another.

Love stories on the golf course are not just for young couples. Many senior golfers have found lasting love through the sport. Take two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer and his wife, Vikki Carol. Married for over 35 years, the couple has built a life together centered around faith, family, and golf. Vikki has been a steadfast supporter of Langer’s career, traveling with him across the globe as he continues to dominate the PGA Tour Champions circuit.

There’s something about the golf course that lends itself to romance. Perhaps it’s the tranquil setting, the shared moments of triumph and frustration, or the simple joy of spending hours together in a relaxed and beautiful environment. Whether it’s a first date, a proposal, a wedding, or decades of companionship, the golf course has played a pivotal role in many love stories, including those of PGA professionals.

So the next time you tee off, take a moment to appreciate the connections that golf fosters—not just between club and ball, but between people. You never know if your next round might lead to a love story of your own.