One of the many reasons I decided to officially take up golf three years ago was simple, pure and uncomplicated: I wanted to expand my friend base.

I knew from growing up with golf-crazy parents and siblings that golf – while an individual sport for the most part – is truly a social game. I wanted in on that.

But I realized early it wasn’t as simple as taking some lessons, building a basic game and then announcing to the world I was ready to join their foursomes.

Rather, I had to hone in on two specific things: How to find good golf friends and how to be a good golf friend. I feel like I’ve made great strides with both of those. In recent weeks I’ve played in a wonderful charity tournament at the absolutely magnificent Worcester Country Club, with some new friends I met and traded contact info with at a Mass Golf (https://www.massgolf.org) event, on a Cape course with a couple my husband and I met when we were paired up with them last season, and in my weekly golf league. That’s a lot of new friends and a lot of great golf. Here are my tips for finding golf friends the right way.

Join a league: I live on the South Shore and around here, it kind of felt like getting a spot in a ladies league was up there in challenge with getting your button in the mafia. That’s hyperbole, of course. But the huge influx of avid golfers since the pandemic have made it more challenging.

So I spent some time looking at area golf club websites and calling to ask for more details. Through that, I found a league that someone I know is in. They recommended me and this year I’ve had the absolute joy of playing the Tuesday 18-hole league at Plymouth’s Crosswinds Golf Club.

The women play at just about every level, but they understand that as part of a league, they’re going to often play with ladies of different abilities. I’ve had great tips, witnessed some magnificent rounds and even had them all cheer when I chipped in from 100-plus yards back for birdie. What’s better than sharing that with new friends? Find a league near you and find a way in.

Join Mass Golf: I joined Mass Golf the same week I bought my clubs. I wanted to keep a handicap, get their excellent newsletter and keep up to speed on golf in general. What I didn’t know is the real bonus: They host amazing play days, like the ladies day I took part in at Hyannis Golf Club. To my delight, most of the women there didn’t know one another yet.

I was paired with three other women with about the same handicap as me, and we had a great time. So much fun, in fact, that we now have a group text to plan our own golf days. (And never mind that for a super low price they gave us an excellent lunch, a gift hat and cold drinks and I won closest to the pin!)

Mass Golf hosts many events for men, women and juniors. Just join already.

Share your new love with your golf friends: I’ve been posting a lot on social media about my newly adopted game, and friends notice. That’s led to me being invited to play in member-guests as well as charity tournaments.

Last week, my friends the Crowley/Stimpson family (owners of Polar Beverages and Wachusett Ski Area and just the nicest folks you’ll ever meet), invited me to be their fourth in the famed Lori Lajoie Charity Golf Tournament (www.sevenhills.org/ll2024). What a day and what an honor.

They fully understood I’m still (for now!) a high handicap; but they reminded me that sharing a day on a beautiful course with fun friends is the best core memory golf can give you. We had a blast, donated to a worthy cause and yes – laughed a bit (Ask them about my bunker shot ….).

If you don’t have friends to invite you to a charity tourney, find one for a cause you care about and sign up as an individual. You’ll be paired up with new friends. It’s fun.

There are more ways too. Find a social media page that focuses on golf (Golfing MA on Facebook is particularly great; I see folks pairing up for rounds on there all the time). Or join a private club if you have the means. No matter your level, clubs have a place – and a group of friends for you.

Or just call me. I’m always looking for a good round with great new friends.

Now: how to be a good golf friend. We will talk about that soon.