26 May 2026
Golfing virgin Laura Bill grabs a set of clubs and heads off to Redbourn to see if it’s the sport for her…
I’ve always thought of golf as a man’s game (apologies to all the thousands of women players out there) and also wondered if I might find it a bit boring, particularly the prospect of walking around miles of countryside while carrying a load of heavy clubs. All that exercise would kill me!
But in the name of journalism I was open to having my mind changed following an invitation to visit the picturesque courses of Redbourn Golf Club with my golf-obsessed husband Pete, who was much more excited about the prospect than I obviously was.
We first headed to the Trackman driving range, a revolutionary new way of practicing your shots using data which records spin rates, launch angles, and speeds while you stand and whack golf balls. As you can tell, I’m no specialist but luckily Pete could explain what I was looking at while showing off his seven handicap.
Pete and I shared the same booth and I’m glad we did or I would still be there now trying to get rid of one ball. The computer screen features lots of complicated information to help you improve, but I think it’s going to take longer than an hour to turn me into a golfer.
Pete told me how to stand – legs shoulder width apart and to the side, arms straight – and then to swing the club back into the air before going for it. (I’m not sure how accurately I am describing his instructions so I wouldn’t rely on this feature if you fancy taking up the game yourself).
I did hit the ball a few times which to me was a roaring success. Pete on the other hand was like Rory McIlroy on a bad day. He hit the ball so far that I lost sight of it and the fancy screen said it was 220 yards.
Much more impressive than my three feet dribble across the grass.
(He can’t have been affected by the slight medical incident at home before we left. He had decided to climb onto the spinny office chair to get his golf clubs out of the loft. It looked like a disaster waiting to happen and turned out to be exactly that. It’s not easy to get a massive heavy golf bag through a square hole in the ceiling while our Lionhead bunny climbs up your leg and the chair you are standing on spins round in circles.)
Anyway, I quickly realised that I was the only person talking. The range was quiet and peaceful except for me occasionally saying things like “Babe, which one shall I hit it into?” and “Where is the coffee?”
There was a little magic machine that spits out balls into a basket so that you can use them to practise your shots. It cost around six pounds for a big basket, but I don’t know if that’s cheap.
Pete seemed to be absolutely loving the chance to swing his clubs around and said: “Thank you for this… It is JUST what the doctor ordered.” He doesn’t often get to come along on my work jollies but I would have been pretty useless on my own so it’s good that he was there.
We then headed out onto the nine-hole Kinsbourne Course which is good for people like me who don’t know what they’re doing. The par three course is half the size of a full golf course which is 18 holes. I could never have coped with that.
On the full-size Ver Course, there were 112 golfers on a charity fundraiser for Noah’s Ark children’s hospice and Mount Vernon hospital, which meant there was a vibrant buzz in the clubhouse as they met before the round for bacon sandwiches and coffee. I recognised a few faces from St Albans. Lots of astonishingly good-looking men!
Our tee off time was 10.04 which I thought was quite specific, but apparently there is normally a six-minute gap to let the people ahead of us and behind us have space as they move around.
As we made our way around the course, I realised that I am rarely anywhere so quiet and lush. You can see greenery for miles and the song of birds cut through the fresh clean air.
As we go round the holes we hardly see another soul except for the man sitting on a lawnmower tending to the pristine grass. Apparently it was a challenging par-three course – the perfect length and level of hilliness for me to feel like I had done some exercise, but I did think about asking the greenkeeper for a lift back at one point.
Long suffering husband Pete told me: “Playing the par-three course in peace and tranquility was a lovely way to start a Friday. The course is in excellent condition.”
We bump into Ben Swain who is a professional golfer in training. He has played professionally before but he is now doing a degree in professional golf with the PGA which covers topics such as sports science and junior development. There are 200 opportunities a year around the country for people to work in clubs alongside undertaking their degree if any reader is interested in pursuing this as a potential line of work.
We ended the morning with a lovely breakfast; a full English, a vegan breakfast and some coffees. I was glad they had such a great range of vegan food and also had oat milk. My avocado was really fresh as were the tomatoes and the toast was hot and crisp. In fact, I probably enjoyed the breakfast more than actually playing golf!
Afterwards general manager Richard Stilwell talked me through the upcoming plans for a VIP Trackman area with heated seats and a sofa and sports bar. I asked him why non-golfers should consider giving the sport a try: “Golf is a sport that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age, ability, or experience, and that’s one of the things that makes it so special.
“The handicap system means players of all levels can compete fairly and enjoy the game together, whether you’re a complete beginner or someone who has played for years.”
Richard said golf is a fantastic way to spend time outside which is beneficial for both physical and mental wellbeing: “At Redbourn, we’re passionate about helping more people discover the game through our Pathway to Golf programme and showing newcomers just how enjoyable and accessible golf can be.”
Are there many women players at Redbourn? And what about young golfers?
“There are between 50 and 60 active female members, alongside a growing junior section. We have 117 active junior members playing on the main course, with a further 184 regularly using the short course, so in total we’re approaching nearly 300 young golfers involved with the club.
“That’s hugely encouraging for the future of the game and reflects the work we’ve done to create an environment where families, women, and younger players all feel comfortable and supported.”
Richard added: “Redbourn offers a complete day out because there’s genuinely something here for everyone. Alongside the full golf course, we have a fantastic short course, excellent practice facilities, great food and drink, and a welcoming clubhouse atmosphere that people really enjoy spending time in.
“Whether you’re an experienced golfer looking to practise, a beginner trying the game for the first time, or a family wanting to spend quality time together, the club caters for all ages and abilities.
“What really brings it all together, though, is the team here. Our staff are passionate about creating a friendly, relaxed environment and making sure every visitor has a great experience from the moment they arrive.”
Even I could see why golf attracts so many new players each year, although unfortunately for Pete I won’t be one of them!
If I haven’t put you off trying the sport for yourself, for information about golf lessons with professional golfers, visiting Redbourn or taking out a membership check out their website at www.redbourngolfclub.co.uk
