How I Golf As A Parent

Here’s how I actually make it work.

My spot is Silverlake in Orland Park, IL, and my tee time is 5:40 a.m. Yeah, that early. My Garmin watch has the silent alarm to help that. Half the time the grounds crew is still out there getting the course ready, so I keep it quiet, stay out of their way, let them do their thing. Nobody’s mad about it if you’re not a pain about it.

I’m out the door before the kids are even up, coffee poured into the Yeti, car already loaded the night before so I’m not fumbling around at 5 a.m. trying to find my other shoe. Clothes are laid out in the bathroom so I don’t wake my wife up. And I’m not doing 18. It’s 9 holes, in and out, home before anybody in the house even knows I left. That’s the move if you want to actually keep this up week after week instead of turning it into a whole production.

My Tips To Golf As A Parent

Before I walk out the door, the house is squared away.

1. Dishes are done
2. Laundry’s not creeping up the stairs
3. Coffee is set to auto-pour
4. Clothes are laid out
5. Lunches are made

Nothing left for my wife to deal with while I’m out chasing a little white ball around. That’s just the deal. You want the freedom to go play; you don’t leave a mess behind for someone else to clean up.

9 Hole Courses

This can be a tough one because not all courses like giving up tee times for just 9 holes, but luckily Chicagoland has a handful of them. It’s really nice to get out and go, get a quick 9 in and get home. No long warm-ups, not hanging around for a few beverages after. Even though those are great, you are on the clock. This is about efficiency. Find a nice 9-hole course that you can get in and out of!

Golf Net In The Garage

Weekdays are a different game. I’ve got a net set up in the garage and a turf mat down, so if I’ve got 10 minutes while the kids are napping or the house is quiet, I’m out there getting swings in. Doesn’t replace a real round, but it keeps my hands from forgetting what they’re doing. Hoping one day the kids can use the setup with me. I have one of those full collapsible nets, but in the future I may look for one to hang from the ceiling.

Golf Simulators

And when I really can’t make it out to the course, I’ll find an indoor simulator spot. You can knock out a full round in a fraction of the time, no walking, no waiting on the group in front of you. It’s not the same as being outside, but it scratches the itch when the schedule just isn’t cooperating.

Wrapping It Up

None of this is complicated. Early tee times, short rounds, a net in the garage, a clean kitchen before you leave, and a lot of coffee. That’s how you stay a golfer and a dad at the same time.