New baby + golf

[steve8820]

All,

My wife and I are expecting our first child in a couple of weeks. Surely, this is going to cut in to my golf time, practice and playing. My wife has said that we need to keep our hobbies. She enjoys going to gym, quite fanatical about it. Almost as bad as I am with golf.... For those of you with kids, how did your first child affect your ability to get out there and play?

I am considering getting a net and mat for the garage so I can still work on things. Putt on my boomerang, etc.......

Thanks

[albatross]

Your life is about to change as you know it my friend. Golf will certainly take a back seat to some extent. It's a wonderful thing though

I have two boys and before my first was born, I was saying the same thing. I'll still play a lot of golf and I do now but not a ton during that first year.

For me, it cut more into practice time than playing time because something had to give and I still wanted to get out on the course.

Congratulations though. There's nothing like it.

[kfowler]

Congrats! My wife and I had our first in December so we're right in the same boat. I'm shooting to play once a week as soon as it warms up but at least three times a month. It gets a lot easier after they're about 3 months old. It did for us anyway. As Mangine77 mentioned, the biggest difference I know is lack of practice time now. I pretty much have to do everything at home and in shorter stints.

[TheCassidy]

man i feel your pain aye ive just had a baby boy and my golf time has been cut from non existent to imaginary...

[lumpuckeroo]

When my kids were small, I didn't notice that much difference in my time to play or practice. When they got into sports that's when my time to play was reduced. Fortunately they prefered fall and winter sports, no softball or baseball, so about the 1st of September I put away my clubs and didn't even try to play.

Best part is they grow up (and leave the house if you are lucky) and if they want to play you have a life time partner and your wife won't give you a hard time about playing.

[Lemay427]

Get a net and set up a high chair and strap him or her in so that your child can assimilate his golf swing. Oh wait, that is what Earl did with Tiger.....


I would find a good babysitter and schedule "golf time".

[Eeryck]

I have a two year old now and I did not really start committing any time to golf till after he was born.

My wife and I found it easiest to set times that we would go solo with our son. My wife takes a weeknight right after work for hanging out with friends and playing poker. I take Sunday mornings for golf.

The first six - nine months our son was up nearly as late as we were. Now he is in bed by about 8pm, so that frees up some evening time to go hit balls at the driving range 1-2 nights per week, I also have a small par 3 near the house with a street light near the practice green so I can do some chipping and pitching there after 8pm.

Each of us having our own time has helped keep our relationship strong as well as being able to spend plenty of time with our son.

In short, schedule in advance, don't expect it to be fair just appreciate what you get.

-E

[glebert]

My suggestions: Play 9 holes at a time, play executive courses, find a driving range that you can go to on your lunch hour. My second kid is due in a month (older son is 3). I am anticipating that I am going to lose even some of these things. My plan for this summer is to try to do some sunrise nines before the wife and kids wake up.

Also, sometimes it is more important to sleep than to golf.

[chriskzoo]

It all depends on your wife. I have 3 kids all under 4 and I get the stink-eye from my wife every time I tell her I am going golfing that weekend.

[Big_M]

Congratulations... you must be very happy!

My wife and I are expecting our FIRST in September... can't wait. I have no advice for you since I'm in the same boat. The good news for me is that my wife is very supportive and plays golf as well. Hopefully in 10 years we'll have a family of golfers. I am certain I will play less, how much less is the question. Either way... it will be worth it. I just hope I can keep my handicap going down with less time to practice and play.

[TomDonS]

Hey man I feel for ya about the golf but congrats. My wife and I had a baby boy. Our 2nd Jan 08. In 07 I had a successful year tournament wise, and had my game real tight. When the baby came it just wasnt in the cards anymore. I played 6 times last year. To thank me for my sacrifice my wife bought me new irons, wedges, and a driver, and told me to have fun this year. So sacrifice golf for a year and be with your new baby. I looked down on it at the time but with all the time I spent with my kids, and the appreciation, and respect my wife had for my sacrifice was all worth it in the end.
Golf will always be there, your baby's first year and the milestones that come with it, is something you cant RE-live. Good luck buddy.

[NM Golf]

Congratulations! My father told me to expect every child to raise your handicap at least five strokes. Having kids myself I can tell you your time is cut big time. Your best bet is to get up early and play before they wake up. I still have to do this and my youngest is now 5. It's good though. I go to the golf course, hang out, play or practice until around 10 or so then head home. By the time I get home they have only been up for a short time and we can hang out the rest of the day. Everybody is happy.

I will warn you though, this arrangment only works once the baby is sleeping through the night. If you try and get up to play golf at 6 in the morning and your wife is sitting there holding your baby that just cried all night long, you aren't going anywhere buddy!

[Doctorfro]

I got back into golf right after my third child was born (I have four). Unfortunately, the time spent playing caused stress in my marriage and I soon put golf very much on the back burner. I didn't stop playing, just much less frequently. What is really cool is that when your kids get older, they may discover the game and it becomes a recreation for some of the family (if not all). My youngest caught the bug and soon my wife was encouraging me to take him out to play. So if you find the game escaping you, fear not! You may find plenty of time later to play and watch your children blossom into it (my son is a 5 handicap now).

[Dpricenator]

Pu thim in the removable car seat and set him on a bench at the driving range. He'll need some fresh air anyway. I'm not saying everyday, but you gotta practice, and give momo some alone time.

[Bo the Golfer]

Congrats-I have five year old and one month old girls myself. Fortunately my wife has always been great about my golfing habit. I get to play nine a week with a weekly range session thrown in. My five year old goes to the range with me so that works out nicely. Good luck with everything, it's tiring but a lot of fun!

[JCDot33]

  steve8820 said:

My wife and I are expecting our first child in a couple of weeks. Surely, this is going to cut in to my golf time, practice and playing. My wife has said that we need to keep our hobbies. She enjoys going to gym, quite fanatical about it. Almost as bad as I am with golf....

Steve, my boy, you didn't plan that very well ... my wife and I are expecting our first around Halloween ~ here in NH that's just about the end of the golf season, and then we are inside for 6 months ... so, come April, when I can play again, we will have fewer issues (I am hoping) ... So, my advice to you is to plan better next time ...

*LOL* In all seriousiness, congrats on the new little one ... and I am sure that you will be able to find some sort of compromise that will allow you to keep playing golf and keep your wife happy ...

[TheNatural]

i started playing when we had 2 boys already and began to improve quickly only weeks before the 3rd was born 7-2-08. After the birth, for the next 5 months I fell into the abyss, Im finally climbing back out. I cant agree more with the statement that a child raises your HC 5 strokes. Their all healthy, and I would throw the clubs away forever to keep it that way.

[rjfan91]

This is true. It all depends on your situation. If your significant other has a hobby, it's MUCH easier. My wife goes to church and takes the kids with her. That makes it easier for my Sunday playing. She also goes out with friends on the occasional Friday night. However, I too "get the stink-eye" if it's going to be a late day (lightning round!) or if it's a Saturday/Sunday/trip.

  chriskzoo said:

It all depends on your wife. I have 3 kids all under 4 and I get the stink-eye from my wife every time I tell her I am going golfing that weekend.