Golf in Belarus: how people fall in love with this unique game

The popularity of golf in the world

Golf continues to gain popularity worldwide every year. Its return to the Olympic Games in 2016 was a landmark moment, as this sport had been absent from the program for over a hundred years, except for tournaments in 1900 and 1904. Belarus has also become part of this growing wave of interest.

Love for golf in Belarus

More and more people with diverse experiences and interests are being drawn to golf. Many of them stumbled into the sport by chance, following friends or trying to escape from their daily routine, and soon found in the game a source of joy and energy.

The most important aspect is that they remained devoted to golf thanks to the Minsk Golf Club, which became a center of attraction for them. In this article, you will find three inspiring stories about how golf became a significant part of these people's lives. You can also watch an interview in the video.

Golfing without preparation

One of the main factors attracting new participants is that no special sports skills are required to start playing golf. Georgy Prigozhin was one of the first to discover the urban golf club in Minsk in August 2013. His introduction to this hobby happened completely spontaneously.

A chance encounter with golf

— I was driving through the city and noticed a huge banner advertising the Minsk golf club. It happened on Masherov Avenue. I called, signed up, and came to play.

First experience in golf

Georgiy came to golf all by himself, without the help of friends and without any prior knowledge of the game. There, he met wonderful people who supported him and helped him learn the basics. He took several lessons with a coach, improved his technique, and immersed himself in the unique culture of golf, and then he went out on the course to put his newfound knowledge into practice.

Love for golf

— It's unlikely that you can "get hooked" on golf without any playing experience. Usually, friends recommend this sport, or they come to it through stories from acquaintances. But you can only understand if golf is right for you by trying it out in practice. To fall in love with this sport, you need to give it a try, — shared Georgy Prigozhy, an avid golfer.

Difficulties in understanding sports

Indeed, it's hard to appreciate all the charms of golf through stories or videos. Georgy quickly fell in love with golf after his first lessons, but unfortunately, his adventure started late, and he couldn't fully enjoy the game since the season had already ended. In our climate, golf usually starts in mid-spring and continues until late autumn.

Training and skill development

In 2014, Georgy honed his skills almost every day. This allowed him to reach a fairly high level of play by the end of the season.

Availability of golf

For most people, playing golf does not require significant physical fitness. Anyone can take up this sport at any age, with varying levels of physical ability, and regardless of gender.

Introduction to the World of Golf

Golf is a game that interests both professionals and those who are just starting to get acquainted with it. This wide accessibility makes golf an appealing sport for many people, contributing to its popularity around the world.

Competitions and training

For example, thanks to his hard training, Georgy was able to prepare for the international competitions that will start next season. From Thursday to Sunday, tournaments are held on the international stage, where anyone can participate. For the convenience of athletes, there are online platforms where they can easily register, choose the championship they are interested in, and submit their application to participate.

Tournaments and their organization

With the start of the golf season, the Minsk Golf Club is sharing the schedule of upcoming tournaments on its website. Players from all over the world can register for the events they are interested in at any time.

Unique sensations from the game

This sport offers unique experiences and leaves many pleasant memories. A player may encounter unexpected moments, such as:

• a bird carrying the ball off the field;
• A magnificent shot when the ball is struck into the hole in one touch.

Long runs, precise strikes, and careful observation of the green field turn each round into a unique experience that cannot be felt without participating in the game.

Natalia Tumanova's journey in golf

Natalia Tumanova started playing golf a year earlier than Georgy, when there was still no golf club in Belarus. She and her family were on vacation in Vilnius, where they visited a children's training area. After renting a club and a ball, Natalia suddenly made an excellent shot, and at that moment she realized that golf had become her true passion.

She fell in love with sports and became passionate about it, but soon she had to take a break from training due to the birth of her child. During that time, her husband continued to actively play golf, and Natalia was only able to return to her activities in 2015 when a new golf club opened in Minsk.

The necessity of professional training

They and their husband have not yet managed to obtain club cards, which are necessary for playing on various courses, and for this, they needed additional lessons with a coach.Natalia is convinced.It is practically impossible to reach a high level in this sport without professional training. Reflecting on her first attempts in Vilnius, she realizes that without proper preparation, those training sessions seemed superficial.

Having acquired the necessary skills and knowledge, Natalia realized how important professional training is, which opened up new horizons for her in golf.

Natalia's reflections on her journey

At one of the tournaments where Natalia is the lady captain of the Minsk club, she shares her thoughts on her journey in golf:“All the happiness and success I have achieved became possible because I found my mentor and started to take my training seriously.”Now her passion has turned into not just a hobby, but an important part of her life that brings joy and satisfaction. Golf is not just a sport; it is a true philosophy that connects people through unforgettable moments and meaningful events.

The quality of preparation and the aesthetics of the swing in golf

The importance of quality preparation cannot be overstated if you want to learn how to make beautiful and technically correct golf shots, says the expert. One of the key aspects of passing the exam for a "green card" is knowledge of the rules of conduct on the golf course. This game, despite its status, stands out in that the attitude of players towards each other is particularly important.

In amateur matches, when only two people are involved, there is no officiating, which makes a level of trust between the opponents essential. In fact, the essence of this game lies in mutual respect and trust.“Play the ball as it lies.”No one monitors this rule; it's up to the players themselves to follow it.

The culture of golf and its etiquette

When you interact with other athletes, you help strengthen the culture of golf. The Minsk Golf Club is not a pioneer in this regard, but it actively supports and develops existing traditions.

Inspiration and a new direction

Recently, I was quite surprised by one point in the contract regarding the obligations in case I agree to the proposed terms. In addition to free training, accommodation, meals, access to the pool, and workouts, this document also stated:“You will be able to play on an 18-hole golf course.”I, a person who grew up in the Soviet era, was completely bewildered. This sparked a huge curiosity in me, and although I had no intentions of moving, the obsessive desire to understand this issue never left me, shares Vadim Devyatovsky.

First encounter with golf

Vadim had his first close encounter with the world of golf in 2005 when, already a professional athlete, he visited Japan for a sports competition. He spent a week there with a friend. In that city, he discovered numerous driving ranges where he could practice his swings. These are special areas surrounded by nets, making it difficult to track how far the ball flies, but it's still possible to practice. Vadim, who holds the position of president of the Athletics Federation of the Republic of Belarus, witnessed his friend's genuine excitement. He approached me and said:“I want to become your coach.”.

First strike

Vadim's friend suggested visiting a driving range for some fun. It was there that the Belarusian athlete made his first hit.“There was an instructor on the field who handed me the stick and explained the basics of the game.”“At that moment, I didn’t realize that I had been handed the most complex tool — the driver. I diligently followed the instructions and from the very first hit, I understood that I had done everything right (after all, I’m a hammer thrower and I know when I’m succeeding), and the ball flew far and exactly as I wanted,” Vadim recalls.

“Imagine the surprise of the coach who had just five minutes ago explained to me how to hold the stick properly, suddenly witnessing my first hit. I noticed the genuine joy and amazement on his face, and he approached me with a suggestion:”“I want to be your coach.”.

Reluctance to part with golf

Vadim was pleased with such an offer, but he didn't think much of it and soon forgot about golf. He only remembered it two years ago when one of his athlete acquaintances advised him to take up the sport. By that time, Vadim had already ended his career in professional sports, and that farewell was not easy for him. Golf reminded him of the emotions he had experienced before.

“It was very difficult for me to part ways with professional sports. It was a real tragedy in my life, as I dedicated three decades to becoming the best, and it became a part of my lifestyle and mindset. But two years ago, after a recommendation from a friend at tennis, I remembered my experience in Japan and decided to try my hand at golf again,” he concludes.

Conclusion

Golf is not just a game; it's a unique experience that may initially seem out of reach, but in reality, it awaits anyone who dares to take the first step. In our country, this sport is becoming increasingly popular, bringing together people of different ages and professions.

I myself witnessed how a person who initially might not have dreamed of golf immerses themselves in its amazing world, finding both physical activity and the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. The stories of Georgy and Natalia show how a simple desire to try can transform a life, bring joy, and help forge new friendships.

Why should you try golf?

• Unique experience:Each round of the game brings unforgettable emotions.
• Availability:Golf is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
• Community:the opportunity to meet interesting people and chat with them.
• Skill development:The game helps develop concentration and control over emotions.

In studying golf, we discover not only the beauty of nature but also the inner resources that can manifest on the course. Each swing is an opportunity to assess our physical and moral qualities, to learn how to focus and control our emotions. The Minsk Golf Club has become a place where dreams come true, and diligent training opens doors to new achievements and competitions.

The main advantages of golf:

• Golf does not divide athletes by experience or professionalism — everyone can find their place.
• By playing golf, you develop not only your physical fitness but also your strategic thinking.
• Golf helps improve psychological well-being and reduce stress.

I urge everyone who is interested in golf to take a step forward — sign up for lessons, visit a course, and just give it a try. I'm sure that every game will leave its mark on your soul and strengthen your love for this wonderful sport. And even if you have no experience, as examples show, everything starts with that first swing. So grab a club and head out to the course — perhaps this is where you'll find your place in the world of golf.