Planning first golf buddies trip. What do the wives do?

[Tee Wade]

So me and 3 other guys are planning the first of what we hope to be our annual destination golf trip.  We're all married and our wives have colluded expressed interest in coming on the trip.  None of our wives are interested in playing golf with us though.  So my question is what do wives normally do on trips like this?  We were thinking of booking massages and pedicures but that's like 2.5 hours max.  Maybe that's enough considering our tee times will be early and the massages will likely start later in the morning but we're not sure.   How have you guys entertained the non-golf playing spouses on golf trips? 

[DaveP043]

My wife plays golf, so I'm not sure I can help you.  Perhaps the group might have a better chance if we knew where you were headed.  Balloon rides, horseback excursions, historic tours, I can imagine a lot of different options.

[MacDutch]

Don't go there! Let them stay home.

[Tee Wade]

We're playing (and staying at) the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando.  It's our first trip so we decided not to go too far from home - 3 of us live in Jacksonville. 

Yeah, it would have been much easier if they were willing to play.  All of our wives have played golf with us before but none of them seemed interested. 

Lol at MacDutch!

 

[Gator Hazard]

If you all are at a resort, typically if they purchase some type of spa treatment such as massages, they will usually have access to the spa the whole day. They can soak and sauna, hang out at the pool, have lunch etc. they can take up a good portion of the day spoiling themselves. 

[Let it Fly]

[David in FL]

2 minutes ago, MacDutch said:

Don't go there! Let them stay home.

Good God, this ^^^^!!!

Tell them to have a ball on their own.  Give 'em a fistful of cash and tell them to go crazy, but do NOT bring them with you.  It will change the entire dynamic of a "buddies golf trip"!

 

[DaveP043]

14 minutes ago, Tee Wade said:

We're playing (and staying at) the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando. 

Hell, it they can't amuse themselves in Orlando, they shouldn't be allowed to leave home at all.  I suppose the way I'd look at it, if THEY want to go, THEY should be planning their own excursions.  @MacDutch does have a point, my wife has never come along on a golf trip, unless it was specifically planned as a couples trip, with the women playing golf too.  Good luck with this one, please let us know how it works out for you.

[Tee Wade]

Reading these replies, I'm starting to do that laugh that slowly turns into a depressed crying fit.  I don't think there was an option to let them sit out this year.  The conversation literally went like this

Me: "Hey, me and the guys were thinking of traveling to Orlando for a nice round of golf on..."

Her: "AWESOME!  I'll call the wives and make sure we get babysitters for the kids!  We'll let you guys play by yourselves though"

Me Later:  "Hey John, sorry my wife really ran with that one"

 

[Let it Fly]

7 minutes ago, Tee Wade said:

Me: "Hey, me and the guys were thinking of traveling to Orlando for a nice round of golf on..."

Her: "AWESOME!  I'll call the wives and make sure we get babysitters for the kids!  We'll let you guys play by yourselves though"

Me Later:  "Hey John, sorry my wife really ran with that one"

Cracking up over here picturing you trying to keep your internal reaction from reaching your face during this haha.  

As @DaveP043 said, I'm sure they'll have no trouble keeping busy and having fun in Orlando.  I would have to lay it out early that there's to be no "What hole are you on?"  or "What's your ETA?" texts during the round(s)...but you guys will have fun no matter what.

Edited May 16, 2017 by Let it Fly

[Midpack]

41 minutes ago, MacDutch said:

Don't go there! Let them stay home.

+2. When I was younger, eight of us used to do an annual Myrtle Beach (or elsewhere) golf week trip as a Spring tuneup, but we left the wives at home. Would have been a completely different trip with wives, though there's nothing wrong with that either - just different. 

Quote

How have you guys entertained the non-golf playing spouses on golf trips?

Huh? If they want to go, I'd let them decide what they want to do on their own, they're big girls. 

Edited May 16, 2017 by Midpack

[MrDC]

Agreed, it's not a buddy trip with women, I'm not saying don't do it because I'm sure you'll have fun either way, but to make it all about golf (and booze) as it should be it's wise to leave the ladies home, then you can play 2 rounds a day if you want and not worry about her.

I bet if you ask the other guys how they feel about bringing the women they may smile and say sure! but inside they're dying, it's just not the way to do a golf trip.

Edited May 16, 2017 by MrDC

[David in FL]

24 minutes ago, Tee Wade said:

Reading these replies, I'm starting to do that laugh that slowly turns into a depressed crying fit.  I don't think there was an option to let them sit out this year.  The conversation literally went like this

Me: "Hey, me and the guys were thinking of traveling to Orlando for a nice round of golf on..."

Her: "AWESOME!  I'll call the wives and make sure we get babysitters for the kids!  We'll let you guys play by yourselves though"

Me Later:  "Hey John, sorry my wife really ran with that one"

 

Try this...

"Honey, what part of me and the guys was confusing to you?!"

You can also assure her that when she and the girls decide to do a 2 day tour of tea rooms and mani/pedi salons, you and your buddies won't intrude on their alone time either!

Edited May 16, 2017 by David in FL

[onthehunt526]

Let them have  "ladies" time. My wife only really plays golf to spend time with me so she would be right there with me. (So would Alina!). I have never been south of the PA/MD border. So I wouldn't know. 

I would say, suggest that the ladies arrange something, so it's not a wasted trip for them. Whether it's shopping, the spa, going to Disney World or Universal Orlando, while the guys are golfing so the ladies aren't bored.

[jsgolfer]

1 hour ago, DaveP043 said:

My wife plays golf, so I'm not sure I can help you.  Perhaps the group might have a better chance if we knew where you were headed.  Balloon rides, horseback excursions, historic tours, I can imagine a lot of different options.

Like Dave, my wife plays golf too.  But she only goes when it's a couples trip or it's just us.  But when it's the guys, it's just the guys, otherwise it's not a buddies trip.    When we go on a guys trip, it's usually involves 36 holes a day and lots of drinking.  Not sure you'll have that luxury if the wives go.  

 

[TN94z]

From my experience, if you take the wives, the "buddies" portion is out. When I think of a buddies trip, I think golf all day and then come back and hangout with drinks or whatever that night. Wake up and repeat. If the wives go, you will likely get your golf during the day, but they will make plans for after golf. It almost always happens like that...for me anyway.

[NCGolfer]

57 minutes ago, Let it Fly said:

If I could up vote this more than once, I would.  Not only for the truth but it is my favorite GIF in this type of situation.

For the OP, I've never done a trip where the wives joined...can't really help you there.  Would think they could find plenty to do and a pool to sit by with cold beverages during the day.  Since it is a golf trip (initially) i'd put the onus on them to figure that out since they invited themselves.  Good luck!

[DaveP043]

48 minutes ago, Tee Wade said:

Reading these replies, I'm starting to do that laugh that slowly turns into a depressed crying fit.  I don't think there was an option to let them sit out this year.  The conversation literally went like this

Me: "Hey, me and the guys were thinking of traveling to Orlando for a nice round of golf on..."

OK, we all understand that this is your first time planning a "buddies trip", so you might have made a tactical error or two.  You're probably stuck with the women this time, but for NEXT year, try to figure out an option or two for a DIFFERENT SPOT for the wives to go.  You might even suggest a separate time for the girls to get away without you husbands, that way each group can take care of the kids while the other has their own little getaway.  Either that, or man up and lay down the law.  Then, when you regain consciousness, you still have the fall-back plans of alternate destinations or weekends to try.