Golf Party Live

Golf Excuses - we've all got them… and today we're calling them out! Donna and Boo are joined by a very special guest, Julie Ann — Donna's childhood BFF — for an episode that had us laughing from start to finish. We're not talking swing mechanics. We're not talking equipment or how to shave strokes off your game. We're talking about something every single golfer has: EXCUSES! We're breaking down some of the funniest, most relatable, and most ridiculous golf excuses we've heard over the years — and we may even admit to a few of our own. We get into: Weather excuses — too hot, too cold, too windy… you know the drill Equipment excuses — because obviously it was the club Body excuses — the back, the knees, the shoulder, the hangover… Course excuses — greens, bunkers, rough, bad lies and everything in between Partner excuses — when someone else is clearly responsible for your bad golf Mental excuses — because golf lives rent-free in our heads And our Hall of Fame Golf Excuses — the ones that deserve their own trophy If you've ever blamed a bad round on anything other than yourself, this episode is for you. We had an absolute blast recording this one, and we hope you laugh right along with us! Now it's your turn — what's YOUR go-to golf excuse? Listen to the episode and then come find us on social media at Golf Party Live and tell us the best excuse you've ever used or heard. We may just share our favorites! And help us keep growing the Golf Party Live community: follow or subscribe to the podcast, leave us a rating or review, and send this episode to that golfing friend who ALWAYS has an excuse ready. You know exactly who they are! Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts — and let's keep making golf more fun together!

Today we're joined by special guest Deb McAvay, President of the Seville Ladies Golf Club, who brings a wealth of knowledge about women's golf leagues, country club golf, member events, and helping women get involved in the game. But this episode isn't just about joining a golf league. It's about something much bigger: How do you go from taking golf lessons to actually becoming a golfer? It's something Donna tells her students all the time: You can't become a golfer by living on the driving range. The range teaches you how to hit golf shots. The golf course teaches you how to play golf—and those are two completely different skills. In this episode, we're talking about how to take that next step and actually get out there and PLAY. In This Episode: ⛳ Why getting on the golf course is essential to becoming a golfer ⛳ How to know when you're ready to start playing ⛳ Why Donna created Golf Party Live Ladies Play ⛳ The benefits of joining a women's golf league ⛳ 9-hole vs. 18-hole leagues ⛳ What to expect when joining a country club golf league ⛳ Spark Golf and other ways to find opportunities to play ⛳ Invitations, member events and getting involved at your club ⛳ Deb's insight on women's golf and helping newer golfers feel welcome ⛳ Building confidence, friendships and experience through actually playing the game You don't have to be a great golfer before you get on the course. Playing the game is how you become a golfer. If you've been taking lessons, practicing on the range and wondering, "Am I ready?"—this episode is for you. It's time to get off the range and onto the course! Have fun & Go Low! ⛳️

Golf does not have to stop when the weather does. Whether you are battling the summer heat in Arizona or snow-covered courses in the northern states, today's technology makes it easier than ever to keep your game sharp all year long. In this episode of the Golf Party Live Podcast, we are diving into the exciting world of indoor golf, simulators, and modern golf entertainment. Golf has changed dramatically over the past decade, and today there are more ways than ever to play, practice, compete, and have fun. In this episode, we discuss: *How golf is evolving and becoming more accessible *Why you no longer have to play 18 holes to enjoy the game *The "Topgolf Effect" and how entertainment venues have introduced millions of people to golf *Other fun golf experiences, including PopStroke and Putting World *Indoor simulator facilities like Back Nine Golf and Stingers Golf Bar *At-home golf simulators and whether they are worth the investment *Should beginners practice on simulators? *The benefits and limitations of simulator golf *The social side of indoor golf and why these venues are creating new golf communities *How indoor golf can help you stay connected to the game no matter the season *Whether you are looking to improve your game, stay active during extreme weather, or simply enjoy golf in a fun new way, this episode will show you why indoor golf has become such a big part of the game's future. Thank you for being a loyal listener of the Golf Party Live Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your golfing friends—especially someone who wants to keep playing and improving all year long. Have fun… and GO LOW!

We're taking you to the mountains for a full recap of our Golf Party Live Tahoe Golf Retreat! Sixteen women. Two and a half rounds of golf. Three rental vehicles. Incredible golf courses. Beautiful mountain scenery. Dinners together. Shopping. Sardine Lake. TJ Sport polos. Lots of laughs, new friendships, and even a little unexpected adventure along the way! And we're not recapping Tahoe alone! Two of our Tahoe Retreaters, Katie and Mileah, join Donna and Boo to share their take on the trip and some of their favorite memories. We're taking you through the entire retreat: How everyone ended up in Tahoe and our travel-day adventures Three rental vehicles, a Costco run and getting everyone settled in Our first night together at beautiful Sardine Lake Our first round at Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club — our "Diamonds in the Pines" A free day with lunch at Gar Woods, shopping in Truckee and taking in Lake Tahoe Round two at the incredible Grizzly Ranch Golf Club, decked out in our matching TJ Sport retreat polos Dinners at the house, plenty of laughs and a dance party to finish off our final night Twelve of our ladies squeezing in nine holes at The Dragon, one of the most challenging courses of the trip — and loving it! And an unexpected ending when fires in the area forced us to take a major detour to the airport. It took a little longer, but the drive was absolutely beautiful and our group rolled with the adventure! This retreat was about so much more than golf. It was about getting out of the Arizona heat, experiencing incredible courses, trying something new, laughing together and building friendships and memories that will last long after the final putt dropped. That is what a Golf Party Live Retreat is all about. Want to join us on a future Golf Party Live event or retreat? Follow Golf Party Live on social media and follow or subscribe to the Golf Party Live Podcast so you don't miss what's coming next. And if you know a golfer who would LOVE traveling, playing beautiful courses and making new golf friends, send her this episode! It might just be the push she needs to join us on the next adventure. Until next time, keep enjoying yourself on the golf course, keep making friends and memories…and GO LOW!

Today we're talking about something almost every golfer needs help with: chipping vs. pitching. What's the difference, when should you use each one, and how do you hit these shots with confidence? The short game is where so many women struggle, but it's also one of the fastest places to lower your scores once you understand your options and develop a little feel around the greens. In this episode, we're breaking it all down in a simple, easy-to-understand way. In This Episode: ⛳ What is a chip shot? ⛳ What is a pitch shot? ⛳ How to decide which shot to hit around the green ⛳ Which wedges should you use? ⛳ Can—and should—you hit your wedges full out? ⛳ The must-dos for short-game success ⛳ How to practice and develop better feel ⛳ How to become more confident around the greens By the end of this episode, you'll have a much better understanding of your short-game options and feel more confident choosing—and committing to—the right shot. Have fun & Go Low! ⛳️

Every golfer has been there. One minute you are feeling confident, and the next you are hitting balls out of bounds, finding every water hazard, chunking bunker shots, topping drives, and wondering if you have forgotten how to play golf. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. In this episode of the Golf Party Live Podcast, Donna gets personal and shares her own experience with golf chaos this year. It's an honest conversation about why difficult rounds happen, why we panic, and how to reset mentally so one bad shot—or even one bad hole—doesn't ruin your entire day. In this episode, we discuss: ● What golf chaos really looks like: ● Out-of-bounds shots ● Lost balls ● Water hazards ● Bunkers that seem impossible to escape ● Topped shots and missed hits ● Why this isn't failure—it's simply part of the game of golf ● Why golfers panic when things start going wrong ● The pressure we put on ourselves to play the "perfect" round ● Why you don't have to finish every hole perfectly ● Practical strategies for getting back on track after a bad shot or bad hole ● The mental side of golf: ● Nervous energy ● Negative thought spirals ● Staying emotionally in control ● How to reset your mindset and regain confidence ● One of the biggest practice mistakes golfers make: ● Hitting balls with no target and no purpose ● Why intentional practice leads to better performance on the course ● Keeping golf in perspective: ● Every golfer has good days and bad days ● Gratitude for being outside, spending time with friends, and playing a game we love Whether you're a beginner or an experienced golfer, this episode is a reminder that bad rounds happen to everyone. The key isn't avoiding golf chaos—it's learning how to respond when it shows up. Thank you for listening to the Golf Party Live Podcast! If this episode resonated with you, please share it with one of your golfing friends—especially someone who needs the reminder that one bad shot doesn't define their round. As always… have fun and GO LOW!

Have you ever striped the ball on the driving range, only to step onto the golf course and wonder what happened to your swing? If you have experienced that, you're not alone—and you are definitely not losing your game. In this episode of the Golf Party Live Podcast, we break down one of the biggest misconceptions in golf: practicing on mats versus playing on real grass. While both have their place, they provide very different feedback, and understanding those differences can dramatically improve your practice and your confidence. In this episode, we discuss: ● Why mats and grass are not the same ● The pros of practicing on mats: ● Convenient and accessible ● Lighted driving ranges for evening practice ● Home practice setups and simulators ● The limitations of mats: ● Firm surfaces can hide swing flaws ● Why hitting too steeply can lead to wrist, elbow, or shoulder injuries ● How mats can create a false sense of solid contact ● The pros of practicing on grass: ● Honest, real-world feedback ● Learning to strike the ball before the ground ● Why grass never lies ● The challenges of grass: ● Harder to find and maintain ● More expensive ● Lies and conditions constantly change ● The modern practice reality: ● Why so many golfers now practice primarily on mats and simulators ● Why mats are an excellent training tool—but grass is the ultimate test ● Why the transition from mats to grass feels so difficult ● What your brain is experiencing when your shots suddenly change ● What to focus on during practice to make your skills transfer to the golf course ● How to practice with purpose and build lasting confidence Whether you are a brand-new golfer or you have been playing for years, this episode will help you better understand why your range game doesn't always show up on the course—and how to fix it. Thank you for listening to the Golf Party Live Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your golfing friends—especially someone who feels like they can hit it great on the range but struggles once they get on the golf course. Have fun… and GO LOW!

Today's episode is a very special one because we're celebrating a major milestone: Episode 150 of the Golf Party Live Podcast! As we record this episode on June 8, we're also celebrating four years since Golf Party Live officially began with two ladies golf clinics at Lone Tree Golf Club in 2022. It's hard to believe how far this journey has come. What started with a single golf clinic has grown into lessons, play dates, golf schools, retreats, singles events, a thriving golf community, and a podcast that now reaches golfers all over the world. Today is also personally meaningful because it marks six years since RT and I got together. He has supported every crazy idea, every event, every retreat, every podcast episode, and every dream along the way. I'm incredibly grateful for him and everything we've built together. In this special milestone episode, we're taking a walk down memory lane and sharing the story of how Golf Party Live got started, how it evolved, what we've learned through 150 podcast episodes, and why it honestly feels like we're just getting started. In This Episode: ⛳ The day Golf Party Live officially began ⛳ How our teaching programs were built and evolved ⛳ The transition from lessons to play dates and community events ⛳ The growth of our golf retreats ⛳ The creation and evolution of Golf Party Live Singles ⛳ Our podcast journey from the early days to today ⛳ Rebranding the show and creating Taylor's 19th Hole studio ⛳ Recognizing our producer, Ricky ⛳ Boo's incredible golf journey and evolution ⛳ The impact of RT and "The Lipper" on the show ⛳ How podcasting became one of our most powerful teaching tools ⛳ What 150 episodes have taught us ⛳ Our favorite episodes, biggest surprises, and proudest moments ⛳ The hardest challenges we've faced along the way ⛳ The biggest lessons from four years of building Golf Party Live One of the most important realizations from this journey is that Golf Party Live was never really about golf. Golf was simply the vehicle. The real story has always been about confidence, friendship, community, connection, personal growth, and helping people create a life they love. To every listener, student, event participant, retreat guest, sponsor, supporter, and every person who has believed in what we're building: Thank you. Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for being part of this journey. Episode 150 feels like a huge milestone, but honestly... It feels like we're just getting started. I'm Donna Taylor. I'm Brittney Boo. Thank you for celebrating with us. And as always... Go Low.

Today's episode came directly from one of our Golf 101 students who asked a question we hear all the time: "What do I actually need to play golf?" And honestly, it's a great question. Golf can feel overwhelming when you're getting started. Walk into a golf store and you'll see thousands of dollars worth of clubs, gadgets, apparel, technology, training aids, and accessories. It can make you feel like you need to buy everything before you can even step onto a golf course. Here's the good news: You don't. In this episode, we're breaking down exactly what beginner golfers really need, what's nice to have, and what you can completely skip for now. In This Episode: ⛳ Why beginners get overwhelmed when starting golf ⛳ The essential items every new golfer actually needs ⛳ The "nice-to-have" items that can make golf more enjoyable ⛳ Things beginners think they need—but really don't ⛳ What's currently in Donna and Brittney Boo's golf bags ⛳ How to save money and avoid unnecessary purchases Whether you're brand new to the game or helping someone get started, this episode will help simplify the process and get you on the course faster with confidence. If you know someone who is thinking about taking up golf, please send them this episode. It might save them a lot of money, a lot of confusion, and help them start golfing sooner. Thank you for spending part of your day with us. If you're enjoying Golf Party Live, please share the show with a friend, leave a review, and help us continue growing the game for beginner women golfers everywhere. Have fun and Go Low!

Today's episode is a special one because we're diving into Brittney Boo's entire golf journey—not just beginner tips, not just Year One, but the real progression of what happens when an adult woman commits to learning golf over several years. Most golf content focuses on swing tips, perfect mechanics, breaking 80, or tour players. Very few people talk honestly about what learning golf actually feels like emotionally, socially, mentally, and physically when you start as a complete beginner. Over the past four years, Boo has gone from knowing absolutely nothing about golf to surviving golf, becoming obsessed with golf, getting frustrated with golf, building confidence, and ultimately becoming a golfer. According to Golf Party Live standards, she's almost there—she officially has just one year left before graduating from beginner status! This episode is important because so many beginners believe everyone else has golf figured out. The truth is they don't. Golf is awkward at first. It's emotional, humbling, frustrating, confusing, and sometimes downright embarrassing. But if you stick with it long enough, it can also completely change your life. In this episode, we discuss: • What Boo's life was like before golf • Understanding golf culture and country club stereotypes • Year One survival mode and the biggest challenges of starting • Golf terms that made absolutely no sense • Her first truly memorable golf shot • What her first on-course experience was really like • Funny beginner mistakes, disasters, and golf cart stories • When golf stopped being stressful and started becoming fun • The moment she became addicted to the game • Golf friendships and the community she discovered • Breakthroughs that helped build confidence • How Golf Party Live helped her grow as a golfer We also dive into the difficult phase nobody talks about: • When improvement starts to slow down • Managing expectations and frustration • Comparison and confidence struggles • Whether social media made golf more confusing • What a bad golf day feels like now compared to Year One Then we move into Year Four and what it means to truly become a golfer: • How she's different today than when she started • Skills she now takes for granted that once felt impossible • What still frustrates her • What she feels most confident about • Whether she feels comfortable playing with strangers Of course, because this is Golf Party Live, we also share plenty of laughs: • Funniest Golf Party Live memories • Best beverage cart stories • Embarrassing golf moments • Whether Boo has ever cried because of golf Finally, we wrap up with advice for beginner golfers: • What she would tell a woman who is terrified to start golf • What beginners need to stop worrying about • What she wishes someone had told her earlier • What helped her stick with the game • Why beginner golf is actually brave • The rewards waiting on the other side of the struggle Golf can look glamorous on social media, but the reality is often messy, humbling, frustrating, awkward, emotional—and absolutely worth it. If beginners understood that struggling is normal, they would enjoy the process so much more. It takes courage to try something difficult. It takes courage to be uncomfortable. It takes courage to be bad at something publicly and keep showing up anyway. And that's exactly why golf is so rewarding. Thank you for listening to Golf Party Live. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who is learning golf or thinking about starting. Remember: one good shot can completely change everything. Keep growing. Stay patient with yourself. We don't play this game for money—so have fun. Go Low!