Meet the Player: Alyssa Paine

Aug 4

4 min read

Updated: Aug 4

Responses provided by Alyssa Paine via written correspondence and published as received.

Portrait of Alyssa Paine. (Photo courtesy of Alyssa Paine) — Portrait of Alyssa Paine. *(Photo courtesy of Alyssa Paine)*

Alyssa Paine is a high school golfer from Massachusetts with a 4 handicap who regularly plays in tournaments including Mass Golf, Challenge Cup, and Hurricane Tour.

How did you first get into golf, and what made you fall in love with the game?

I first got into golf when my dad introduced me to the game when I was a toddler. I grew to love the challenge it provides. The more hours you put in, the more results you start to see. Golf has also allowed me to meet so many new people, which is another reason I love the sport.

If you could have one conversation with your younger self at the beginning of your golf journey, what would you tell her?

I would tell my younger self that golf isn’t always going to be fun. It will be discouraging and sometimes make me feel like I don’t want to play anymore, but I should keep working at it and try to improve. Golf will teach me how to work hard and persevere through adversary, which are values I will take with me wherever I go. Golf brings also countless opportunities, from college to lifelong connections that you make.

Who has had the biggest impact on your golf journey and why?

My dad has been the biggest impact in my golf journey. He taught me how to play and has supported me through my tournaments.

When you first started playing golf, what did you imagine your journey would look like? How has the reality been different from—or similar to—what you expected?

When I first started playing golf, I thought that the more I practiced, the better I would get. Now I’m starting to realize that while the general trend will be improvement, there will also be times where your game isn’t where you expected it to be and that is okay.

What is your favorite memory from playing golf?

My favorite memory is making the cut at the Massachusetts Girls Junior Amateur. I sunk a putt on 18 to shoot 76 the second day and I was really proud of myself. Making the cut was my goal for the tournament, and I’m glad that I achieved what I set out to do.

Alyssa Paine studies the green before a putt during a tournament. (Photo courtesy of Alyssa Paine) — Alyssa Paine studies the green before a putt during a tournament. *(Photo courtesy of Alyssa Paine)*

What is one lesson golf has taught you that influenced your life beyond the course?

A lesson I’ve learned is to keep persevering towards your goals even if they don’t seem achievable. At the Massachusetts Girls Junior Amateur, I made double bogeys on 10 and 11. But I kept persevering and made four birdies in the last seven holes to make the cut. It wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t keep believing in myself and I think if I keep believing in myself throughout my life then I will be able to achieve the things I set my mind to.

What are some mental qualities/mindsets that have helped you achieve success in this sport? Do you have a certain pre-shot routine, self-talk, etc.?

I am good at moving on from the past and focusing on what’s in front of me. If I hit a bad shot, I can brush it off and focus on the next one. The bad shot has already happened and there’s nothing I can do about it, but what I can do is hit a good next shot.

Have you faced any challenges or barriers that you feel are unique to women in golf? If so, how have you navigated them?

I’ve found that there are people who will assume you’re an unskilled golfer just because you’re female. I’ve had people at my home course be disappointed to get paired up with me because they assume I’m going to hold them up or tell me before we tee off on the first hole that I should be playing the red tees since I’m a girl. I think the best way to navigate this is to let your golf game speak for itself. It’s hard for someone to look down on your game when you’re outscoring them.

What would you say to a girl who feels intimidated or doesn't think she belongs in golf?

I would tell her to keep playing! Golf is an amazing game full of opportunities that is open to everyone. You will meet friends playing the sport that you never would have met otherwise. Additionally, the lessons you will learn are those that will help you for the rest of your life.

If you could leave one message for the next generation of female golfers, what would it be?

My message would be to never forget why you started playing the sport. It’s easy to get caught up in your scores and compare them to others, but always remember to have fun while you are playing.