Empowering Women in Golf: Your Beginner-Friendly Guide to Getting Started in Surrey & Langley with a Top Coach
- Matthew Palsenbarg

- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Introduction
Welcome! If you’re a woman in the Surrey–Langley area who’s been curious about golf but hasn’t yet taken the leap, you’re exactly who this is for. My name is Matt Palsenbarg, and I’m a PGA of Canada golf coach working at The Backyard Golf, Haus of Golf and Clayton Hills Par 3. I specialise in welcoming women into the game in a supportive and confidence-building way.
In this guide I’ll walk you through how to begin golf from scratch — focusing on enjoyment, fundamentals, and community. Along the way you’ll see why I’m uniquely placed to help you, and how choosing the right coach (me!) in Surrey/Langley makes all the difference.
Why Golf is a Great Fit for Women
Golf offers so much more than just skill-building. Here are several reasons why it’s especially attractive for women beginners:
It builds physical strength, flexibility and mental focus.
It offers a social and friendly environment (many women’s groups and clinics exist).
It’s accessible at your own pace — you don’t need to be an athlete to start.
Learning fundamentals (“feel”, posture, balance) often aligns with strengths many women already bring.
As a coach who works locally in Surrey/Langley, I am committed to creating a welcoming, non-intimidating atmosphere.
Step 1: Get Comfortable & Take the First Swing
What you need to know right away:
Familiarise yourself with basic golf terms: hole, par, score, tee box.
You only need a few clubs to start (e.g., a driver or fairway wood, a mid-iron, a wedge, and a putter).
Choose comfortable, golf-appropriate clothing and shoes — you don’t need full “uniform” gear.
The best practice locations: on the driving range, putting green and at the locations I coach — Backyard, Haus of Golf, Clayton Hills.
Most importantly: don’t worry about looking “silly”. Every golfer began as a beginner. My job is to make you feel confident.
Step 2: The Fundamentals of Your Swing
Here are the core foundations we’ll cover in your early lessons:
Grip: how you hold the club is your connection to the swing.
Stance & posture: your feet, hips, spine-angle = your foundation.
Alignment: aiming your body and clubface toward your target.
Swing phases: setup → motion → finish.
Common beginner mistakes: poor contact, misalignment, tension in the arms/body. Part of our work together is recognizing and fixing these simply and clearly.
Step 3: Power + Control — Your Advantage
Women’s golf instruction often emphasises rhythm, sequencing and ground-force rather than brute strength.At your pace, we’ll work on:
How to use rotation and ground contact to generate power.
How to maintain balance through your swing, which improves contact.
Drills suited for women: e.g., slow-motion swings, impact drills, tempo work.
Understanding that control (especially in the short game) often beats distance when you’re
starting out.
Step 4: Ball Flight & Smart Play
Understanding how the ball flies helps your confidence and strategy. We’ll cover:
Why the ball curves, rises or rolls (clubface, swing path, loft).
How to “read” your ball flight to understand what you did right or wrong.
The difference between hitting straight and hitting smart: When you start, you’ll want to prioritise consistency and smart shot selection over distance.
On-course mindset: knowing when to play for par, when to play safe.
Step 5: Short Game = Big Impact
Many new golfers underestimate how important chipping, pitching and putting are — but they’re where you’ll see fast progress.Key focuses:
Chipping: club selection, motion, landing spot.
Putting: reading greens, controlling speed and distance.
Simple fun drills you can practise outside a full round (great at the indoor facilities at Backyard or Haus of Golf).
I’ll structure these drills into your lessons so you can see improvement week-to-week — and feel great doing it.
Step 6: Golf Etiquette, Course Confidence & Community
Starting out is easier when you feel comfortable on the course and with other players.Things we’ll cover:
Basic rules & etiquette: pace of play, safety, ready golf.
Mindset: dealing with nerves, normalising mistakes, staying positive.
Playing social rounds: I can help you with ladies-clinics or group lessons locally.
Community: You’ll find other women learning and playing — I’ll introduce you to groups at Backyard, Haus of Golf and Clayton Hills.
My promise: you’ll never feel left out or overwhelmed.
Step 7: Getting Set Up — Gear + Environment
You don’t need to buy everything upfront. My recommendation:
Start with a women’s beginner set (driver, mid-iron(s), wedge, putter) if you don’t have clubs yet.
When you’re ready, I offer club-fitting and equipment advice to match your swing and comfort.
Shoes: comfortable walking shoes with good grip.
Practice environment: I coach indoor (Haus of Golf, Backyard) and outdoor (Clayton Hills) so weather and season are covered.
Step 8: 3-Month Beginner Plan (tailored for you)
Here’s a roadmap we’ll follow together
Month 1:
Setup, posture, grip, basic swings.
Short game: putting & chipping fundamentals.
Two practice sessions + one group session each week.
Month 2:
Full swing development: irons, woods.
On-course introduction: par-3 hole(s) at Clayton Hills.
Drill focus: contact, alignment, ball flight awareness.
Month 3:
Strategy & play: select holes, reading greens, managing your game.
Social round: I’ll coach you while you play with an experienced partner or group.
Review progress, set next goals (e.g., play 9 holes confidently).
Why Choose Me as Your Coach?
Local: I’m based in the Surrey/Langley area and work specifically at The Backyard Golf, Haus of Golf and Clayton Hills Par 3 — so convenience & consistency for you.
Experienced & supportive: I specialise in supporting women beginners — creating a positive, judgement-free learning environment.
Proven progress: I’ve helped many women go from ’never touched a club’ to confidently playing and enjoying rounds.
SEO & location targeted: If you’ve searched for “women beginner golf coach Surrey”, “golf lessons Langley women” or similar — you found me. My website and blog will help you stay connected and get found locally.
Community focus: You won’t just take lessons. I’ll connect you with women’s clinics, group sessions and social rounds to help you stay engaged.
Call to Action
Ready to take the first step?
Book your introductory consultation with me — we’ll chat about your goals, comfort level and schedule.
Choose the location that's best for you: Backyard at Clayton Hills or Haus of Golf
Bring a positive mindset — leave the rest to me.
You’re not just learning golf — you’re joining a community, building skills, and creating a new experience. Let’s make your golf journey fun, confident, and tailored for you.
Book now or contact me at [email/phone/website link].
About the Author + Credentials (E-E-A-T)
I’m Matt Palsenbarg a certified golf coach operating in the Surrey-Langley region, offering personalised instruction for women beginners and intermediate golfers. I hold PGA of Canada, and have over 20+ years of coaching experience at The Backyard Golf. I continuously update my teaching methodology based on the latest performance science and techniques, so you get coaching grounded in evidence, driven by results, and tailored for your goals.
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I hope this blog serves as your first step toward a rewarding and enjoyable golf journey. I look forward to meeting you on the range or course soon!






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