What It’s Like For A Beginner Golfer To Play In The Genesis Scottish Open Pro-Am...
Beth Roberts (@bethsgolf on IG and TikTok) took up the challenge to play in the Pro-Am for one of the highest profile events in golf. How did she get on?

When Visit Scotland sent me a message, inviting me to play in the Genesis Scottish Open pro-am, I couldn't believe it was real. Me, a beginner golfer, teeing it up alongside the pros? It seemed too good to be true.
Despite the doubts and fears that crept in, I knew that this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.
Over the last year of golfing, I had played numerous courses and experienced my fair share of bad shots, so the thought of making mistakes didn't faze me anymore. Besides, I had recently embraced a new philosophy of saying yes to every opportunity that came my way.
As I arrived at the prestigious Renaissance Club, my excitement soared when I spotted a caddie's bib with my surname. It made me feel like golfing royalty.
Instead of heading straight to the pro range where the greatest golfers on Earth were practising (I couldn’t face hitting a ball next to them), I chose the putting green. Little did I know, I would still have a remarkable encounter.
As I tapped in a great putt, I glanced over and realised that Scottie Scheffler was putting next to me. My inner fangirl erupted with excitement. I managed to snap a photo with him, and that moment alone felt surreal.
A post shared by Bethan Roberts (@bethsgolf)
A photo posted by on
But now, it was time to face the main event—the tee time.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Standing on the tee box, my heart raced with nerves as the starter called out our names one by one. With shaky hands, I managed to launch a decent drive, and a wave of relief washed over me.
The format for the day was a "Tour Scramble," where each team played from the best drive, and only birdies or better counted toward the score. My group was paired with Keith Mitchell for the first nine holes and Ewen Ferguson for the second.
Watching Keith play was mesmerising. His meticulous approach to each shot, analysing every aspect from club selection to wind direction, taught me the importance of patience and careful assessment. I realised I needed to take much more time to analyse my own shots.
The first couple of holes went smoothly for me, without any major blunders. However, the low point of my round came on the third hole when I embarrassingly topped the ball. It was an unfortunate swing that happened to be captured on video from multiple angles, serving as a humbling reminder that I am nowhere near pro level.
On the 10th hole, there was a change of pros and Ewen joined the team. Every single drive he hit was straight, powerful and what felt like miles down the fairway.
Our team's morale was high, and we found ourselves playing with ease and scoring well. Yet, it was the 13th hole that etched itself into my memory forever.
With the iconic Visit Scotland sign as a backdrop, I unleashed my best drive of the day, landing it about 15 feet from the green. It was a shot that earned our team three net birdies, and the elation I felt in that moment was indescribable.
During the 9 holes with Ewen, a peculiar sight caught my attention. I noticed a large black disc placed on the green as we approached to putt. Curiosity got the better of me, and I turned to my caddie, jokingly asking if Ewen had poor eyesight and needed an oversized ball marker.
My caddie erupted in laughter and explained that the discs were markers used to determine the hole positions for the upcoming days.
The whole group enjoyed a good laugh, and it became another anecdote to add to my collection of enlightening experiences as a new golfer. It was the end of the round and as a team we came 4th, just marginally missing out on the prizes.
Being only a little over a year into my golfing journey, playing in the pro-am was an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It was an honour to walk the fairways alongside the professionals, absorbing their expertise and passion for the game, just making me want to keep on going even more.
As a young entrepreneur, Beth is relatively new to the golfing world, but ever since she took up the game almost a year ago, she's been thoroughly enjoying sharing her journey on social media. With a growing following on Instagram and TikTok, Beth's passion lies in expanding the game for young females. Her golfing journey began thanks to an incredible "new to golf" scheme held in Wales, and she will forever be grateful to Matthew, the head pro, and Lynda, a committee member, for their support. Without them, Beth wouldn't have continued this amazing golfing adventure. Having had the opportunity to play in various countries, Beth's love for both travelling and golf has grown exponentially. By sharing her personal experiences, tips, and inspiring stories, she hopes to help others to give golf a try and show them that they can excel in this sport.
-
Amanda Sambach Facts: 10 Things To Know About The College Golfer
The University of Virginia's Amanda Sambach has been a keen golfer since she was five - here are 10 things to know about her
By Mike Hall Published
-
Tommy Fleetwood Holes Out For Los Angeles In TGL Overtime But Atlanta Drive Secure Tight Win
The Los Angeles Golf Club player produced a moment of brilliance in overtime against Atlanta Drive GC, but it wasn’t quite enough to secure the team a third successive win
By Mike Hall Published
-
7 Tips To Help You Play Faster... And Keep Other Golfers Happy
PGA Professional Emma Booth shares tips for keeping the pace of play smooth and enjoyable for everyone
By Emma Booth Published
-
Casual Sexism Is Rife In Golf. Men, Do You Say Any Of These Things?
Unintended or not, casual remarks and actions reveal why sexism still exists in golf
By Katie Dawkins Published
-
'The LPGA’s New Policy Might Seem Brutal, But If There Are No Real Consequences, Players Won’t Adjust'
Suzann Pettersen on launching VOXA and backing the LPGA's slow play policy
By Alison Root Published
-
'If Golf Truly Wants To Be Inclusive, We Don’t Just Need Diverse Faces In Ads, We Need Boots On The Ground Actively Educating Families On Where And How They Can Start Playing'
Coach Shayain has experienced first-hand the barriers that minority golfers face, but the sport is ready for a shift and she's helping to lead the way
By Carly Cummins Published
-
7 Things That Irritate Women Golfers... And It's Not Men!
Golf can be a frustrating game, but beyond the challenges of hitting a ball, there are plenty of other things that get under golfers’ skin
By Katie Dawkins Published
-
'I’m Still Practicing, Maybe Not Spending As Many Long Days On The Course, But Every Time I Tee It Up, I Still Want That Feeling Of Competing To Win' – Why Lexi Thompson Isn’t Walking Away From Golf Just Yet
We caught up with fan favourite Lexi Thompson to discuss golf, love, and life beyond the LPGA
By Alison Root Published
-
Who Are The New Brand Ambassadors For LPGA*USGA Girls Golf?
Meet the LPGA ambassadors who have been selected for their unique qualities to empower, enrich, engage, exercise and energize
By Alison Root Published
-
The Equipment Every Female Golfer Needs... But Often Overlooks
Top 50 Coach Katie Dawkins explains why many golfers are missing out on equipment that will add enjoyment and improve their game
By Katie Dawkins Published