What Golf Taught Me About Belonging, Business, and Backing Myself
By Guest Writer Natasha Burgess
In 2017, I said yes to a corporate golf day, not because I played golf or came from a family who did, but because I didn’t want to miss an opportunity. I borrowed clubs, had no clue about the rules, and was surrounded by 100 men at The Lakes, one of Sydney’s most prestigious courses. I was one of only a handful of women there. I felt completely out of place.
This isn’t a story about becoming a great golfer. It’s about what happens when you lean into discomfort, commit to something unfamiliar, and permit yourself to be a beginner. Golf became the unexpected vehicle for building confidence, quieting self-doubt, and discovering how far a brave “yes” can take you.
Starting from Scratch
That first golf day at The Lakes was a mess. I felt exposed, awkward, and completely unprepared. I relied on small talk to mask discomfort. But I also knew something else: if I wanted to keep saying yes to days like that, the work events, the conversations, the opportunities, I had to figure it out. And despite the discomfort, curiosity kicked in.
So I booked lessons, one of the best investments I made early on, and something I still do to this day. I bought a second-hand set of clubs, nothing fancy, just enough to take it seriously. I kept going. And gradually, something shifted, not just in how I played, but in how I carried myself.
Navigating the Early Nerves
In the beginning, it wasn’t just about learning to swing. It was the pressure of teeing off in front of people. Worrying about holding up the group behind. Not knowing the rules, or where to stand, or when to speak.
I used to rush everything, shots, decisions, even walking, hoping no one would notice me. It didn’t help. But what did help was realising that most people are too focused on their own game to be watching yours. And no one remembers your bad shots except you.
From Imposter Syndrome to Self-Belief
Golf didn’t just expose my self-doubt; it made me confront it. That quiet feeling of not belonging, of not being “the kind of person who plays golf,” mirrored how I’d felt in plenty of other spaces: boardrooms, networking events, conversations where I’d second-guessed myself.
But the more I played, the more I learned to push through that discomfort. I didn’t need to be the best. I just needed to back myself, to take up space, ask questions, and keep showing up. That shift didn’t stay on the course. It changed how I speak in meetings, how I carry myself in unfamiliar environments, and how I trust my voice.
For women in business, golf isn’t just a skill, it’s a circuit breaker. It builds credibility, earns trust, and unlocks access to people and opportunities that might otherwise stay out of reach. It’s a different playing field — and knowing how to step onto it changes everything.
Natasha Burgess is a leisure golfer based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches who started playing golf properly in 2019.
She is a member at Mona Vale Golf Club and also spends part of the year in New Zealand, where she regularly plays at Wanaka Golf Club.
Looking Back and Giving Back
I started out begging my girlfriends to join me, but no one did, so I went alone. Now, I get messages every week from women and men asking how to get into golf. Helping others start and making it feel easy, welcoming, and fun is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
A few years on, I’ve now played over 50 courses worldwide. I pack my clubs on work trips, carve out time to play, and seek new places. Along the way, I’ve formed friendships, been invited to incredible courses, and even participated in brand photoshoots.
Places like Shortees Golf in Sydney, which are relaxed, inclusive ladies nights, have played a big role in making golf feel more approachable. Not everyone wants to join a traditional club, and not everyone has weekends free. Venues like this give women the chance to play on their terms. Golf has never been more accessible or flexible, especially for those working full-time or just starting.
I’m still an average golfer. A leisure golfer with a genuine love for the game — and a strong desire to help more women discover it.
Conclusion: A Game-Changer
I didn’t take up golf to prove anything to anyone. I did it for myself, and it changed everything.
This sport taught me to sit with discomfort instead of avoiding it, try without knowing the outcome, and trust that I belong in rooms, on the golf course, and in conversations that once felt out of reach. Golf gave me the confidence to swing a club and to stand taller in all parts of my life. So if you’re thinking about it, start. Do it for you.
Natasha is the co-founder and director of Powerhaus Events, a boutique corporate events agency based in Sydney. She’s passionate about helping more women discover the game, especially those starting later in life or juggling golf with a busy career, and is on a mission to play bucket-list courses worldwide.