Golf Chat with Kitty Flanagan

Words: Tiffany Cherry 

Multi-Logie award winner, comedian, writer and director, Kitty Flanagan has found more than the funny side of golf. Part of the new wave of women flocking to the game, in all its formats, Flanagan trades her phone for a club and audience for a laugh with friends, one in particular who is wedded to their journey, through thick and thin.

How did you find golf, or golf find you?

My friend Rebecca, who I now refer to as “my golf wife” (GW) called me up two years ago and said, “I think we should invest in our future and take up golf.” I said yes immediately. I’d tried to play in my twenties – ‘cos my Mum kept saying, “If you take it up now, imagine how good you’ll be when you’re fifty!” But none of my friends played so I gave it up after six months. Fast forward thirty years… I guess I should have listened to my mother!

What do you love about the game?

It’s the best way to spend a day with friends. I also love all the old-school etiquette and traditions and rules. I love rules. And I really love playing with Mum and her friends. That’s a top day out.

What frustrates you the most?

Same thing as every other golfer I imagine, the fact that I am perfectly capable of hitting the most fantastic shot. Occasionally. Why can’t I do it all the time? I mean…I’ve proven I can do it. Why can’t I do it every time?! 

If GOLF were an acronym, what would it stand for?

God Old Ladies are Fast. Seriously, I don’t know where the stereotype of women being slow on the golf course comes from. You often see a woman running or jogging across a putting green to get to her ball or to get off the green and move to the next tee.  But I have never, ever, ever seen a man run on a golf course. 

What’s your favourite golf routine, if you have one? 

My golf routine starts in the kitchen, making sandwiches and a smoothie, packing nut bars and refilling my “golf lolly box” (big red frogs and Sour Patch Kids). I like to take a lot of snacks. I played with a friend recently who commented that my golf bag is like a tuck shop. 

Who do you play with, how many holes or balls?

I’m working a lot, so I’ve been taking advantage of daylight saving and playing twilight golf, 9 holes at 5 pm (with my GW of course). It’s such a beautiful quiet time of day to play. Then we go in afterward and have half a glass of wine and debrief. I am well aware of how boring golf talk is – so our rule is you can only do it immediately after the game with the person you just played with. 

Golf gives so much – social connection, mindfulness, physical outlet, upskilling to help network in business. What does it give you?

It’s about the lack of distraction for me. On the golf course, my phone is always off and I forget about everything else. My head is so full already with the forty-seven swing thoughts swimming around that there’s no space to think about anything else.

What’s your perfect golf day out?

Playing with a group of friends who are just out to have an enjoyable day. I don’t mind a bit of healthy competition but I’m not big on the heckling and “man banter”. All that “ooh no pressure, don’t choke” kind of psyche-out stuff. I’m more of a Pollyanna on the golf course. I want everyone to play well and have a good time. 

Describe the feeling of the shot that keeps you coming back?

When it feels like you didn’t even hit the ball. How good is it?

As a comedian, do you see the funny side of golf, or find yourself wanting to hurl your club or both!?

I’m definitely not a club hurler. I’m aware of how “unfun” it is to play with people like that. It really ruins everyone’s vibe. Of course, you can get annoyed after a bad shot but don’t carry on like a tit. Let’s be realistic people. We’re not professionals, we’re going to hit some bad shots. 

How would you recommend girls and women start their journey into the game?

Women’s golf clinics are the best. A great introduction to the game. That’s how we got into it. You can find them through Golf Australia. Just just find one at a club near you (you don’t have to be a member) on a day that suits. They even provide clubs and equipment. And, if possible, sign up with a friend. It’s more fun with a golf wife.

Would you ever consider writing a comedy skit about golf? Or, have you?

There is a routine out there on YouTube that I did many, many years ago, based on when I first took up golf as a much younger person. It resurfaces every few months to haunt me. 

Where are you a member?

I recently joined the Commonwealth Golf Club and I bloody love it. The course is newly renovated and just beautiful. And the whole membership team was so helpful and made the rather daunting process of joining a golf club so much easier.  Shout out to Olivia who kickstarted the whole process for us. 

Favourite club?

At the moment, it’s my 3 wood. Lately I’ve been teeing off with it because I hate my driver. Hate it. To be clear, it’s a very good driver. It’s the idiot swinging it that makes it useless.

Favourite golf clothing apparel/ brand?

Golf is the only time I get excited by clothing. I have no interest in fashion unless it’s for golf. My faves would be Tory Burch Sport, Byrdie Social, Daily Sports. These brands all do wider-leg or bootleg style golf pants. I’m not a fan of the ubiquitous tapered golf pant. If you’re built like Audrey Hepburn they look great but for the rest of us pear shapes, I don’t think tapered pants are the most flattering. 

Describe yourself as a golfer.

I said the other day after I’d scored 13 points (on 18 holes). I think I’m actually quite good at hitting the golf ball, I just can’t play golf. I feel like if you saw me play, you’d think, “Oh yes, she can play golf.” My scores tell a very different story. I don’t get it. But I guess, that’s golf, isn’t it?

Catch Kitty in the latest season of FISK on ABC iVIEW