[nemasket]

So I've signed up for a 6-week golf clinic (my fiance is helping teach part of the clinic, so he was a large factor in it happening), and I'm determined to try to use it as a way to get better at introducing myself to people, feeling more comfortable in groups, and possibly making a casual acquaintance or two. After the 6-week clinic, a league is forming, so I'm hoping to meet some people I can play with in that as well.

I went to the first session last night, and didn't talk to anyone except for 2 women who spoke to me first (asked a quick question). The rest of the time I did my normal standing by myself, trying not to stand too close but not too far away from everyone else, thinking the entire time that everyone must think I'm strange or aloof or unfriendly. There were a few women there who didn't seem like they knew anyone else either, but I noticed by the end everyone was talking to at least one other person.

I was hoping someone might have some advice on how to bridge the gap between standing there by myself and actually talking with someone. I just honestly don't know how to do it. It feels like Junior High - me there alone feeling like I don't fit in anywhere. I desperately want to make contact, but I just feel frozen in fear an uncertainty. And I want to be able to be the one to introduce myself, I'm almost happy no one approached me first. I know it's good for me, it's just so scary.

On the plus side, I was hitting the ball a lot better than before

 

[its_Rob]

Just walk up to some one and say hi and try to talk about golf or something. Or if you go try to talk to people in a group, try to say something about what ever they are talking about.

 

[shyvr6]

Yeah, usually you have to take the initiative or it will always end up like what happened to you with only one person coming up and talking to you. Going up to the person and talking about the event that you're at would be a good opener.