Month 1 and Change: What I’ve Learnt So Far

When I posted about becoming a scratch golfer in 365 days on October 5th, 2025, I knew it was going to be a challenge. What I didn’t expect was how deeply people felt it was impossible. I knew it would test me, not just as a golfer but as a person, but through all the naysayers, I came up with the idea for Scratch for Good. What could have been just me trying to prove everyone wrong turned into something that could make a difference.

One euro for every shot over par, all going to Samaritans Ireland. It is pretty simple, right? In theory, yes. In practice, it’s already been a rollercoaster of patience, self-reflection, and small but powerful lessons.

I thought the hardest part would be hitting fairways. Turns out, it’s managing expectations. My own more than anyone else’s.

Reality Hits Different

The first week or two felt like all systems go; nothing could stop me. Energy was high, and every round/training session felt like a step closer to something big. Then reality kicked in. The early mornings, the long editing sessions, work, juggling a toddler, and finding the time for all of what needs to be done to make this goal a reality.

Self-doubt started creeping in fast.

Golf has a way of humbling you just when you think you’re making progress. There are days when I question why I put this much pressure on myself, why I’d make something so personal so public, but the accountability keeps me honest. Knowing people are following the journey pushes me to show up even on the days I don’t feel like it.

The truth is, this challenge isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence.

The Lesson in Patience

Improvement in golf is slow. Sometimes painfully slow. I have played 3 rounds of golf since starting this journey, and my 4th will be this weekend. My scores haven’t dropped as dramatically as I hoped, but that’s not the full story. The data helps me to keep things in perspective, have fewer big numbers on the scorecards, make smarter decisions, and have calmer reactions. I’m learning to appreciate progress that doesn’t scream from the scorecard. I am learning to play the game shot by shot rather than round by round.

Patience is becoming my new superpower. Progress isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it’s a quieter mind after a bad hole or choosing the safe shot instead of the heroic one. Golf is teaching me that success is built on repetition, not rush.

The Mental Game

What I realised early on, from countless lessons with my coach and way too much YouTube. This journey has been as much about mindset as mechanics. Golf exposes your thoughts in real time. Every bad shot brings a choice: spiral or reset. Some days I do one, some days the other, but I’m becoming more aware of the difference.

The overlap between golf and mental health is impossible to ignore. The self-talk, the frustration, the way a small mistake can snowball if you let it. It’s made me appreciate what Samaritans do even more. Having someone to talk to, or even knowing that someone is listening, can be the difference between feeling lost and finding a way through.

Scratch for Good has given me perspective. Each shot, even the bad ones, means something beyond the score. It’s a reminder that talking, reflecting, and staying grounded are just as important as swinging a club.

The Unexpected Power of Community

I’ve been genuinely blown away by the messages and comments (good and bad), as well as the support from people following the journey. I want to connect more; I want to hear your stories. I want this amazing community to get involved and do their own challenge for Scratch for Good.

What started as a personal project now feels like something much bigger, like we could make this a movement.

It’s not about follower counts or likes. It’s about community. It’s about using golf, this frustrating, beautiful, humbling game, as a way to connect people and spark conversations that matter.

What I’ve Learned About Content

A month in, I’ve learnt more about storytelling than I ever expected. I’ve learnt that the first five seconds of a video matter more than anything else, that clarity and curiosity keep people watching, and that earnestness is more powerful than polish.

Balancing “golfer mode” and “creator mode” isn’t easy. There are days when I’d rather focus on the round than the camera, but filming every swing has made me more aware, not just of my technique, but of the story behind it. The struggles, the reactions, the small wins.

Sometimes the best clips come from the worst rounds, because that’s where the real story is.

Why It Still Matters

No matter how many bogeys or missed putts come my way, I know why I’m doing this. Every round, every post, every late-night edit has a purpose. Each euro raised for Samaritans helps keep someone connected, helps someone talk, and helps someone feel less alone.

Scratch for Good is about more than reaching scratch. It’s about finding meaning in the messy middle of improvement. It’s about showing that growth in golf and in life isn’t measured by perfection but by persistence.

What’s Next?

As month two begins, I’m refocusing. I want to tighten my course management, make smarter choices off the tee, and keep improving my consistency. There are exciting things on the horizon too. I want to work with creators and golfers to collaborate on this journey, fresh challenges to take on, and a charity event that I can’t wait to bring to life.

If the first month has taught me anything, it’s that chasing scratch isn’t just about lowering numbers. It’s about raising awareness, building community, and turning every round into something that matters.

I’m still learning. I’m still grinding. And I’m still making every shot count for something bigger than myself.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for being part of this journey. Scratch for Good isn’t about perfect golf. It’s about purpose, community, and using every shot, good or bad, to do something meaningful.

If you’d like to support the mission and help raise funds for Samaritans Ireland, you can donate directly through my iDonate page here: idonate.ie/scratchforgood 

Every round I play is a reminder that even small actions can make a difference. Whether you follow along, share the story, or chip in a few euro, you’re helping turn this game into something that matters. 💚