Q & A with Jackie Beck, Head Coach of the Women's Golf Program at Wellesley College

Written by Sabrina Xiaorui Wu

Headshot of Coach Jackie Beck. (Photo courtesy of Jackie Beck)

Unlike many collegiate coaches whose careers have centered around competition and coaching, Coach Jackie Beck has experienced nearly every facet of the golf world. She began as a competitor with a highly impressive track record that includes leading her varsity golf team at Illinois State University to its first NCAA appearance in 1983. She then transitioned into coaching before entering the corporate side of the golf industry. A decade later, Coach Beck returned to coaching, serving as the Head Women’s Golf Coach at Brown University and Central Connecticut State University before arriving at Wellesley College. At Wellesley, Coach Beck has rapidly transformed the women’s golf program into one of the nation’s top Division III teams. In the process, Coach Beck has also become a highly decorated coach. Among her numerous accolades, she has received Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year honors and was named the 2024-25 East Region Coach of the Year. Her players have also received countless awards, including being named Liberty League Performer of the Year and Division III All-America Second Team members. I had the privilege of speaking with Coach Beck regarding her personal journey in the golf industry along with her perspective on the experiences of women golfers.

WU: I understand that you started playing golf from an early age, so I was wondering, what about this sport first attracted you? And what inspired you to continue to pursue this sport in college and later center your career around it?

BECK: I was the youngest of four, and I started when I was seven, eight years old because I wanted to be with my brothers and my dad. And that's [golf’s] what they did a lot. Then, at 12 years old, I started working at a golf course, and I loved it. I really just got into playing golf, and then there were opportunities in college. Afterwards, I went on to teach golf for a little bit, and then I worked for 12 years at a golf company. Now I'm back teaching golf and coaching; it's kind of a full circle. I have been very blessed with my career; each time I've been able to land at a place and really grow from it.

WU: You’ve clearly had such a successful career at Wellesley. But when you first became the Head Coach here, how did you think this program was going to work out? And then did the reality align with your expectations? 

BECK: I think you always go into a new job with an idea of what you think is possible, and then how you're gonna get there is another vision. You have the vision for the program, you recruit the kids that you feel would help you reach that North Star, and then you go from there. The D3 high academics brings a great group of recruits to you, which has been outstanding for Wellesley to grow as a program. When I came in, I brought in six first years, and now they're seniors. They have the same mindset that they want to compete at a high level, and they also love the game. They're really good friends on and off the course, which is what you want. They have set the standards of the program and the culture. I just guided them. I tell them all the time they're the ones that put Wellesley on the map, and they also are great mentors for the first years coming in and the players underneath them.

WU: You’ve mentioned in previous interviews that a big aspect of coaching is helping people reach their goals. Building on this idea, how would you describe your overall philosophy and approach as a golf coach?

BECK: You have to meet them where they are, where they want to be with the game, and where they want to be as part of their college experience with golf. Some come in and they want to be top 10 in the country ranked individually. Some just want to contribute to the team and have a great overall experience, but maybe their expectations are not being the best in the country. It's just, "I want to be one of the top five travel players each week". You meet with them individually and talk about the possibilities and what it takes. I think that's the biggest thing: what it takes to get there and managing those expectations. 

WU: You’ve also mentioned previously that one of the most important things when it comes to coaching is that the players need to know that you care and trust you. Could you describe any strategies that you’ve used to build this relationship?

BECK: You have to show you care by showing up. We have our standards as a team. If we have players that are performing in a play, we all show up for that play to watch them. Two of my players are in an acapella group, and their last concert was in spring. When we went to the concert, the other people in the acapella group were like, "there's the golf team again”. The little things make the difference, and it's easier to ask them to work hard when they know you really care and they trust you. I think the biggest thing is to always show up and demonstrate what you want them to demonstrate to their teammates.

WU: I wish more schools did something similar. I think it would really improve the relationship people have with each other within the team.

BECK: It's so important, because you play for each other. In college golf, it's not junior golf where you're playing for your score and that's it. So you've got to have each other's back. You've got to play for that team. And that's important.

Once a month, I assign two players, and they have a team dinner or they do a team event. They just go out and have fun together as a team outside of golf.

WU: Could you describe your most rewarding experience as a collegiate golf coach?

BECK: I would say my most rewarding experience is watching them walk across the stage at graduation and see the people they've become. You're like, "Wow. I first saw them at the AJGA event”. So I think that's probably the most rewarding, to see how they have grown in those four years in college and all the experiences they've had that have developed them into young women who are gonna go out and change the world. It's amazing. They're very talented.

WU: You have mentioned that some important qualities for collegiate golfers is being a good team player. But what are some lesser known traits that you have observed in successful female golfers which most people don’t usually think about?

BECK: It's important that they have a love for the game. I know that's easier said than done, because a lot of times they've played since they were seven or eight years old, and when playing competitively you kind of lose that spark. Now you want to do something different. You get to college and it’s like do you still love the game like you did when you first started it? Because then it relates to the attitude. If you love the game, practice is fun to go to. If you don't love the game anymore, it's like, "Oh, my God, I got to go to practice”. And that can filter down to your teammates. 

The other thing is a strong golf IQ. That's where I see a little bit of difference. As a golf professional, I think what's happened a lot is we are so focused on teaching the golf swing and the technical aspects, that the players don't get enough exposure on the golf course and learn how to play the game, where to hit your shots, and how to hit specialty shots out on the course. Learning how to score is so important. Look at the architects. How did they design a golf course? You need to understand what their thinking was, and it's easier to play that way. That's having a good golf IQ, and the best way to learn it is on the course. 

WU: Are there any mental game strategies that you tell your players to help them maintain an even head when they're on the course?

BECK: We look at it like this. Say, for instance, a player averages 78 shots on a course. You may have a bad hole, but it's just one hole, or one shot. You have 78 shots out there. That's how I like them to look at it. You've got to have a short memory. If you had one bad hole, forget it. You've got to move on. It is easier said than done, but if you look at it as the bigger picture of your overall shots for that day, that was just three of your 78 shots. That's the biggest thing with golf. People hang on to that bad hole, and they start thinking about their swing and trying to make adjustments. You've got to go out there and just play.

It's all about the process, not the outcome. You're gonna get some good bounces. You're gonna get some bad bounces. But you have to be able to control the controllables, and that is your mindset. You can't control if you hit a sprinkler head and it gets into the water. So you've got to work on the process because you can't always control the outcome.

WU: How would you like to be remembered as a golf coach? What lasting impact do you hope to leave on Wellesley College’s women's golf program?

BECK: The impact is to help build a strong and successful culture and standards, and to keep it rolling. To be remembered, just that I was kind, respectful of my players, and we had a lot of fun along the way. I would say that I treated my players well and brought a lot of energy to the program.

WU: Over these last few years, women’s golf has clearly expanded greatly. From your perspective, can you point to any specific motivating factors that you believe have helped to fuel this growth in women’s golf?

BECK: I think what's happening at all levels has helped. More clubs are doing junior golf and you also see the PGA Junior League. I think that has really expanded, and it's brought more women and more junior girls into the program because it's a lot of fun.

Starting at the junior level has also really helped. First Tee was a big one. I was a big First Tee instructor, getting more girls involved in it and making it fun and more of a community. It's not just them out playing by themselves like back in the day.

And the manufacturers are doing a nice job too with equipment for women's golf. We're not making everything pink; we're making really solid clubs, and the technology is so helpful.

WU: If there is one thing you could change about women’s golf today, what would it be?

BECK: I look at everything pretty positively. I think everything's going in a good direction right now. I teach a lot of corporate clinics, and a lot of corporations are spending money for women to learn the game. I just did one for women lawyers. Women want to learn the game. They want to use it as a business tool. 

Our team actually does teach golf for Wellesley students. We do two clinics a year and teach just the basic fundamentals. So when they [Wellesley students] have to go and play or learn the game, they've at least been exposed to it initially. I always say once you've been exposed to it, always say yes if you get asked to go out. 

On all levels, people are investing in it. And I just think women have to be more confident. They just have to say, "Yes, I can do it. I want to do it”.

WU: Have you observed any prejudices in this sport, either personally or through your players, that place female golfers at a disadvantage? And if so, what are they?

BECK: I think the world has changed. Inclusivity and diversity has really changed. I don't think I see that much of it [prejudice]. I just think everything is moving in a positive direction for women in golf and golf as a whole. For example, now there are several sets of tees at golf courses. Even seniors now have multiple tee options. It's not designated men's and women's tees anymore. It's just play where you feel is best for you.

I've seen change because I'm kind of a dinosaur. I've been exposed to the teaching side, the coaching side, and the manufacturing side, so I have seen the progression through the years. Back in the day, clubs would come out, like a new set of Top-Flite irons, and they'd just be painted pink for women, but still the same weight. Now it's all custom clubs for men and women, and it’s very technologically driven because of all the data we get.

The data was never like this before. The data we get from TrackMan and Foresight helps us fit clubs much better. I think it's all good and it's only going to get better. The more we know, the better the industry is getting. We're using tools that make us better.

Years ago, even the golf clothes for women weren’t that great, but now it's sporty. The golf shoes are looking more like tennis shoes. I used to wear these FootJoy all-leather spike shoes and they were so heavy in the morning because they got wet. So I think it’s all changing for the good.

WU: What encouragement would you give to any female golfer who is facing gender discrimination in this sport, either from male opponents, coaches, or from the system in general? 

BECK: You just have to act like you belong, and you're good to go. It's your confidence. If it's a person of authority, they're not going to change their mind. It can be hard. But I think you have to look at the opportunities that are there. If a door opens, go through it. You need a strong support system. You're not gonna change people's attitudes, but you can definitely change your attitude. You can't worry about what other people say; that’s an uncontrollable. You gotta control the controllables. You just have to stay positive. I think that's what you do through life. You move forward because people are people.

WU: On a final note, what message do you have for young girls who are debating whether or not to take up golf?

BECK: I think it's important to say yes more. Say yes to opportunities. Even if you don't think you want to do something, try it. You might end up enjoying it. That’s kind of my philosophy. 

I think young girls should try all sports. I'm a big advocate of trying as many sports as you can. You just have to find which one you love, and then later on specialize. 

For golf, I'd say try it. It's a game of a lifetime. They may not want to take it up all the time. My daughters all learned junior golf. They didn't love the game, but they did it because their dad wanted them to do junior golf. Then they went on and played other sports in college. Now they're doing business and they're out playing golf, so they had that foundation early on.

That's what golf is. It brings community and people together. It's hard in tennis—when you first start, you're just someone across the net. But in golf you're walking down the fairways together, and it gives you a great chance to get to know your friends better.