Marbella-based pro tickled pink on becoming a paperback writer

Prevented from taking even a short stroll during lockdown let alone giving a golf lesson, Marbella-based PGA pro Abbey Gittings made her fingers do the walking and turned author.

The result is The Little Pink Golf Book, a woman’s survival guide to golf that is designed to help ladies who play or want to take up the game as opposed to golf widows.

Indeed, a chapter entitled the MANuscript, tells the man in a lady golfer’s life -– husband, brother, father, partner, whoever – how he can support her golfing journey

“It’s my favourite section in the book,” said the 31-year-old who coaches at Marbella Golf and Country Club in Spain.

As the book’s final chapter, it also lowers the curtain on a process that began during the first Covid-enforced lockdown.

“We weren’t even allowed to go for a walk in Spain so I had plenty of time on my hands,” Gittings recalled.

“I realised there aren’t really any golf books out there exclusively for women, and it was at that point I decided I needed to change that!

“The book is for ladies thinking about starting golf, those who are learning, and any other lady golfer who would like a guide of the golfing basics.

“They will find stories from myself and other women on our golfing experiences, an intro to the golf shots and terms, games for practice, plus how to take your game from the range to the course, which is quite a daunting step for a lot of lady golfers. 

“The book also covers playing in competitions, the rules and etiquette, along with information on golf nutrition and psychology.”

In addition to her role as author, Gittings has overseen the business aspect of making sure her words are printed and published.

“I’ve self-published it through Amazon,” she explained. “It’s a really simple process compared with going to a publisher and so far it’s been easy to do.”

Seeing the job through from start to finish is perhaps only to be expected from an independent individual with a can-do attitude who fell in love with the game 25 years ago.

 “My granddad got me into golf when I was about five or six,” she said. “He took me to The Belfry and I became a member there and had lessons. But as I ended up playing for Warwickshire, I had to join a club in the county. So as my granddad was a member at Walmley, I joined there as well.”

On leaving school she went to college in the USA and then returned to Europe to play in the LET ACCESS Series before the lure of coaching as opposed to competing held sway.

“I played in LET ACCESS Series events for three years and then decided I wanted to get into the coaching side of the game,” she added. “I was 26 when I started my PGA training. I did that in Marbella and have been here ever since.

“As for the future, the women’s game is my passion. That’s what I’ve grown up with and been through every section that you can. 

“I just want to get more and more girls and ladies playing.  It’s trying to break down the barriers that are still a little bit in the way. I’m going to try and do that here.”

The Little Pink Golf Book, costing £12.99 or €13.99, is available from Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions from March 15 onwards.

CLICK HERE to purchase a copy of The Little Pink Golf Book

• Categories:
• International
• WPGA