Ladies' section

You are here » Home » Ladies' section

This is something special

What sort of Ladies' Section do we have at Hampstead? Well the first thing to say is that there's a very happy spirit around the place. We know there is something quite rare going on here — an interesting group of people, keen on their golf but not too much so, and friendly beyond the call of conscience.

How can we describe the characteristics of our Ladies' Section? One is that we can make players across the range feel at home, because we have a good spread of handicaps. There is no lady in single figures, but several strong enough to play in the Middlesex singles or scratch competitions. To balance that, there are also ladies in the 30+ handicap group, who can play a decent and tidy game, and hit a sweet ball much of the time, but who never quite manage the blemish-light performance which would take their handicap down. 

Being a nine-hole golf course also has its attractions — it can be reinvigorating if you've had a disappointing time on the first nine to make a fresh start the second time around. You actually can begin again. And of course we're a small club — which means there's an informal procedure around tee times. Normally, you just turn up and play, because you soon get to know, or can easily check, when the course will be busy or unavailable because of competitions. 

It's noticeable how well we all mix. Friends obviously like to play together, but even so ladies don't play with the same people all the time. The diaries come out on our Tuesday ladies' days, and people fix to play at least once with most of the other golfers. And that includes new members and high handicappers. For this is nothing if not a friendly club. New members get brought into the fold quite quickly

One reason is, we have a special newsletter as a way of involving people in what's going on. The idea is that members should really feel part of the club, and "in the know". That's why we called it In the Swing. It comes out at least once a year, and reports on all the fun things as well as serious achievements.

Probably the best way to find out more about the club, its activities and spirit, is to read a couple of the articles from a recent issue. These are the two we've picked. First the report on a recent trip to Suffolk organised by the Ladies' Captain Topsy Arlidge, and enjoyed by more than 20 of us. Second, a piece about golf at Hampstead, and making sure that it's fun. If you like the sound of all this, do please get in touch. 

The Hampstead ladies

National Nines

- English champions in 2008

The Pearson

- Middlesex champions in 2007

- Middlesex finalists in 2006 & 2008

Middlesex Singles

- semi-finalist in 2008