Golf as a New Dad

[Tom the Golf Nut]

3 hours ago, Chip Strokes said:

i play 90+% of my rounds as a single because i can’t commit to a weekly game 

a few times a year, my dad, brother in law, a few buddies and i plan a nice round a month or so in advance so we can all clear our schedules. my brother in law and i usually convince our wives (my wife and my sister) to hang out and then we meet them for dinner after. 

that’s really the only way i’ve found to get out with a group of guys. other than that i’m at the mercy of whoever course pairs me up with haha

Being part of a private club was most beneficial for me. As the kids got a little older there was so much for us do do as a family. I would play golf then meet the family at the pool. We could then have lunch or dinner there. Kids could get lessons then I would play golf. 

I still play 90 percent of my rounds solo. Tee off, play 18 in two hours and be home in no time. You can't do that on public courses. I would say when the kids are three or four membership makes sense.

[DannyDips]

I’ve got a 6 and 1 year old (born same day 5 years apart). I have a wonderful golf encouraging wife (from Augusta). Golf during the first year after a kid is always hard, lots to do, take care of and usually a lack of sleep. 

Since the 6 year old was 3 I’ve been taking him with me every chance I get. It’s something we can always do together and I can get some swings in. 
 

The best thing for my game has been the purchase of a Skytrak year and half ago. It’s 4 times a week at least when I’m in the garage hitting balls after they’ve gone to bed. I also plan tournaments with my friends as it’s easier to get something on the calendar far in advance. 
 

The best thing is play when you can, practice when you can, and bring them with you when you can. 

[TheProfessor02]

39 minutes ago, DannyDips said:

I’ve got a 6 and 1 year old (born same day 5 years apart). I have a wonderful golf encouraging wife (from Augusta). Golf during the first year after a kid is always hard, lots to do, take care of and usually a lack of sleep. 

Since the 6 year old was 3 I’ve been taking him with me every chance I get. It’s something we can always do together and I can get some swings in. 
 

The best thing for my game has been the purchase of a Skytrak year and half ago. It’s 4 times a week at least when I’m in the garage hitting balls after they’ve gone to bed. I also plan tournaments with my friends as it’s easier to get something on the calendar far in advance. 
 

The best thing is play when you can, practice when you can, and bring them with you when you can. 

It seems like you really have things figured out with that setup. One day I would really like to have the at home simulator setup as it truly allows for you to get some good practice in under a very short amount of time. Who knows might even be able to convince the wife to join me for some late night rounds after the kids fall asleep. 

[Chip Strokes]

14 minutes ago, TheProfessor02 said:

Who knows might even be able to convince the wife to join me for some late night rounds after the kids fall asleep. 

careful. that’s how you ended up with kids in the first place

[DannyDips]

13 minutes ago, TheProfessor02 said:

It seems like you really have things figured out with that setup. One day I would really like to have the at home simulator setup as it truly allows for you to get some good practice in under a very short amount of time. Who knows might even be able to convince the wife to join me for some late night rounds after the kids fall asleep. 

I would strongly suggest a Skytrak or any Launch Monitor to anyone serious about getting better with limited time on the course, especially with kids. I probably get 400 extra swings in a week I didn’t get before the Skytrak. Best golf purchase probably I’ve had. 

[DiscipleofPenick]

8 hours ago, den748 said:

Communication with the wife has been the biggest adjustment.  Keeping a solid calendar and allowing participate in her hobbies.  The thing that has disappeared the most is the last second "I'm going to go play golf this afternoon" request. 

 

Also, everything said by Kanoito is super helpful.  Including the kids when you can makes is so much better.  Played 9 holes with my 8 year old the other day and he wanted to keep score for the very first time so I made up some holes for him on the course.   150-170 was a par 5, 100-140 par 4, 50-70 par 3.  It was honestly the most enjoyable 9 holes I've ever played. 

 

That's awesome. Gonna keep this in mind when my little one is old enough.

[DiscipleofPenick]

13 minutes ago, DannyDips said:

I would strongly suggest a Skytrak or any Launch Monitor to anyone serious about getting better with limited time on the course, especially with kids. I probably get 400 extra swings in a week I didn’t get before the Skytrak. Best golf purchase probably I’ve had. 

I'm thinking I'm gonna have to go that route. Though Sky track is probably out of the price range 

[TheProfessor02]

16 hours ago, DannyDips said:

I would strongly suggest a Skytrak or any Launch Monitor to anyone serious about getting better with limited time on the course, especially with kids. I probably get 400 extra swings in a week I didn’t get before the Skytrak. Best golf purchase probably I’ve had. 

Yeah just have to convince the wife I'll still get things done around the house and not hit golf balls 24/7 

[DiscipleofPenick]

24 minutes ago, TheProfessor02 said:

Yeah just have to convince the wife I'll still get things done around the house and not hit golf balls 24/7 

That's why I tee off at sun up on weekends. Back home by 10.

[TheProfessor02]

1 hour ago, DiscipleofPenick said:

That's why I tee off at sun up on weekends. Back home by 10.

Yeah hopefully that's something I can do moving forward as the girls get older but my wife also works from home on the weekends and usually does AM hours so tough to do. On top of that first off tee times are hard to come by at the moment as they're the most popular.  

[DiscipleofPenick]

14 minutes ago, TheProfessor02 said:

Yeah hopefully that's something I can do moving forward as the girls get older but my wife also works from home on the weekends and usually does AM hours so tough to do. On top of that first off tee times are hard to come by at the moment as they're the most popular.  

I found a course where all summer I can usually be the first one out both Sat & Sun. And it's only about a 25 min drive. Guess I'm lucky with just a bunch of lazy people around here.

I also have a talk with my wife each week. I don't care when I play as long as I get too. Early mornings work best, but this year I've ended up with some late afternoon Saturday rounds cause that's what worked best for her.

[HeathS16]

I am in the same boat as alot of y'all on here. 2 kids and wondering how the heck I can get out and play! lol, but seriously I have been taking my 3 year-old to the course with me for over a year now and he loves it! I am currently trying to get a better hitting mat and a rapsodo to supplement my cravings when I can! 

[TheProfessor02]

48 minutes ago, HeathS16 said:

I am in the same boat as alot of y'all on here. 2 kids and wondering how the heck I can get out and play! lol, but seriously I have been taking my 3 year-old to the course with me for over a year now and he loves it! I am currently trying to get a better hitting mat and a rapsodo to supplement my cravings when I can! 

Yes the more I think about getting an at home hitting situation the better but itll be tough to convince the wife to let me drop any real money on a good net and solid hitting mat seeing as golf is still fairly new for me. 

[HeathS16]

36 minutes ago, TheProfessor02 said:

Yes the more I think about getting an at home hitting situation the better but itll be tough to convince the wife to let me drop any real money on a good net and solid hitting mat seeing as golf is still fairly new for me. 

Always a negotiation in my experience

[DannyDips]

9 hours ago, TheProfessor02 said:

Yeah just have to convince the wife I'll still get things done around the house and not hit golf balls 24/7 

Haha. The “Honey-Do” list does take a hit for sure. I do spend most of my Skytrak time after the kids go down and before bed so it’s not usually a time when I’m busy getting stuff done around the house. I’ll say since the purchase I’ve never felt that feeing of “rust” when I do get time on the course.