Let's talk about a sport that doesn't usually make headlines in LGBTQ+ spaces: golf. Yeah, that one with the plaid pants, the hushed commentators, and the little white ball that somehow costs more than your monthly streaming subscriptions combined.
But here's the thing, while other sports have had their loud, activist moments (and rightfully so), golf has been quietly rolling toward inclusion in its own methodical, eighteen-hole kind of way. And honestly? There's something kind of beautiful about that.
The Fairway Forward
Golf isn't exactly known for being the most progressive sport out there. Country clubs, dress codes, "member's only" signs, the whole nine yards. For decades, it was the domain of old-money traditionalists who probably thought rainbow flags were just creative interior design choices.
But times change, even on the most manicured greens.
Today, you'll find LGBTQ+ golfers at every level, from weekend warriors hitting the municipal course to professionals competing at the highest levels. It's not always front-page news, and that's partly the point. Gay golfers aren't asking for parades down the fairway (though that would be fabulous). They're just asking to play the game they love without having to hide who they are.
Why Golf Actually Makes Sense for Us
At first glance, golf might seem like an odd fit for the queer community. But dig a little deeper, and you'll find it's actually pretty perfect:
It's about you versus the course. Unlike team sports where you're constantly navigating locker room dynamics, golf is fundamentally individual. Sure, you play with others, but your score is your own. There's something liberating about that, no explaining, no justifying, just you, your clubs, and that infuriatingly small hole 400 yards away.
Mental game over machismo. Golf rewards patience, strategy, and mental fortitude over brute strength. It's the chess of outdoor sports. You can't muscle your way through a round, you have to think, adapt, and stay calm when everything's going sideways. Sound familiar? We've been doing that our whole lives.
The social aspect is built-in. Unlike running or swimming, golf is inherently social. You're spending four hours with your playing partners, chatting between shots, sharing laughs when someone drives into the water hazard for the third time. It's networking, therapy, and cardio all wrapped into one (okay, maybe light cardio if you're using a cart).
Age is just a number. You can start golf at 60 and still get good at it. You can play well into your 80s. Try that with rugby. The longevity of the sport means you're building a lifetime skill, not just a phase.
The Quiet Pioneers
While we might not have as many household names in golf as in other sports, there are players who've opened doors simply by being themselves. Tadd Fujikawa came out in 2018, becoming one of the first male professional golfers to do so. His journey wasn't about making noise, it was about authenticity and peace with himself.
The LPGA has had several out players over the years, creating space for others to follow. And while representation matters, what's equally important is what's happening at the grassroots level: LGBTQ+ golf associations forming, inclusive tournaments being organized, and country clubs quietly (or not so quietly) updating their membership policies.
Golf Clubs and Book Clubs
Here's where we connect the dots to what really matters: storytelling.
Imagine curling up with a steamy MM romance book where one character is a brooding golf pro and the other is the new caddy who knows more about reading greens than he lets on. Enemies to lovers on the PGA tour? Forced proximity at a golf resort in Scotland? The slow burn tension of two rival golfers competing for the same championship while trying not to fall for each other?
The golf world offers surprisingly rich territory for gay romance. The travel, the pressure, the moments of quiet intimacy between rounds, it's all ripe for storytelling. And at Read with Pride, we're here for every swing, slice, and swoony moment.
Golf romances in MM fiction capture that unique blend of competition and vulnerability. There's something inherently romantic about teaching someone your golf swing, hands guiding hands, bodies close as you adjust their stance. It's the sports romance equivalent of the pottery scene in Ghost, but with more khaki and fewer supernatural elements.
The Relaxation Factor
Let's be real: being queer in 2026 is exhausting. Between keeping up with which states are safe to visit, navigating workplace dynamics, and just existing in a world that's still figuring us out, we all need an escape.
Golf offers that. Those four hours on the course? They're meditative. The rhythm of walking (or riding), the focus required for each shot, the way the rest of the world just… falls away. It's active meditation with scorecards.
And unlike doom-scrolling or binge-watching another series that ends in disappointment (looking at you, every streaming platform), golf gets you outside, moving, and present. The Japanese call it "forest bathing" when you spend time in nature for wellness. Well, consider golf "fairway bathing": with the added bonus of occasionally hitting things with sticks.
Building Community, One Round at a Time
What's really exciting is watching LGBTQ+ golf communities form. There are now gay golf leagues in major cities, inclusive tournaments, and even queer-friendly country clubs that actively welcome LGBTQ+ members and their families.
These spaces matter because they're where connections happen. Where you meet the person who becomes your Sunday morning golf buddy. Where you network with other queer professionals. Where you simply exist without having to calculate how "out" to be in any given moment.
It's inclusion without fanfare: which doesn't mean it wasn't hard-won or doesn't matter. It just means we're finally at a place where a gay couple can book a tee time without it being a whole thing.
The Skill Factor
One of golf's best qualities? It's genuinely difficult. There's always something to improve, always a shot to perfect. That challenge keeps it interesting year after year.
For many LGBTQ+ folks, we're drawn to pursuits that reward dedication and skill development. We've spent our lives navigating complex social situations, reading rooms, and adapting to circumstances. Golf rewards those same abilities: reading the course, adapting to conditions, staying mentally tough when things don't go your way.
Plus, there's something satisfying about getting good at something that looks easy but absolutely isn't. Anyone who's tried to hit a golf ball straight knows: it's humbling. And we could all use a little humility mixed with our pride.
Swing Into Your Next Chapter
Whether you're a seasoned golfer or someone who's never held a club, the sport's growing inclusivity is worth celebrating. It proves that even the most traditional spaces can evolve, even the quietest revolutions count.
And when you're done with your round: whether you shot par or gave up counting after the front nine: there's nothing better than settling in with a great gay romance novel that captures the same themes: patience, persistence, and finding your swing in a world that doesn't always make it easy.
The fairway forward is open to everyone. Let's walk it together: or ride it in a cart while reading MM romance on our phones between holes. No judgment here.
Discover your next favorite MM romance at ReadWithPride.com, where every story is a hole-in-one for your heart.
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