15 Proven Ways to Golf with a Baby or toddler

As a new parent, it may seem impossible to get to the course or get some practice in to keep the game sharp. Luckily, through experience as a father of 3 young kids under the age of 5, here are 15 proven ways to sneak some golf in while having young kids.

1. GOLF DURING NAP TIME

This is the most practical option if you can pull it off. Get a quick 9 in while your kid(s) take their afternoon nap, your spouse will be much more willing if you golf during the quiet time of day at the house.

Try to get this in as quickly as possible at the closest course to your house to minimize time away from home.

2. HAVE AN ANNUAL GOLF TRIP IN YOUR SCHEDULE

Between a hectic life and work schedule, hobbies such as golf get put on the back burner.

If you schedule out a weekend once a year, you’ll have that guaranteed golf time and the weeks before practicing up for it. Try to make it as close as possible for maximum efficiency. No reason to fly to Vegas when you can drive somewhere within 4 hours and not waste time and money traveling.

3. JOIN A WEEKLY GOLF LEAGUE

Life gets in the way and we will not golf unless it is already cemented in our schedule.

Schedule out one night a week after work to golf in a work league or with family or friends.

4. GOLF AT SUNRISE

Honestly, sunrise golf may be the best golf there is. The course is usually empty, there is usually no wind, and it’s so peaceful and calming to be out in nature on an empty course.

Also, being the first golfer(s) on the course you can play as fast as you want. I’ve walked 18 in 3-3.5 hours numerous times and have been back home by 9:15-9:45. You get 18 holes in, and still get to spend the majority of the day with your wife and kids. A win win in my book.

This is one of the many pros of golfing solo, and if you want to see more positives of golfing alone check my article out here explaining 11 great reasons to golf alone.

5. FREQUENT THE RANGE

You may not be lucky enough to sneak in a round of golf each week, but that doesn’t mean you should completely ignore your golf game.

However, it would be much more manageable to go to the range once or twice a week to get a 30-60 minute range session in, possibly during your lunch break.

If you’re serious about keeping the rust off your golf game and spending as much time as you can with your family, ditch the Happy Hours after work and go to the range or play 9 holes instead.

Almost all of my social activity in the summer revolves around golf, and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. If you are having trouble finding people to golf with or your friends are not interested in golf, check out my article on 7 Simple Ways to Make Golf Friends.

7. BUY A PUTTING MAT AND/OR GOLF NET FOR YOUR HOUSE

If it is not feasible to get to the course or range, you could always get some practice in by buying a golf net and/or putting mat.

They are relatively cheap, you can get a decent golf net for $80 and a golf putting mat for $30-$50. Also, it could be a great way to teach the kids about the game you love as your kids will have a blast trying to putt or hit a golf ball into the net!

If you are interested in more ways to save money golfing, check out my article on 28 ways to golf on a budget!

8. *ONLY GOLF 9 HOLES WITH A BABY OR TODDLER

Kids do not have the attention span to sit in a cart or stroller for 4-5 hours. Even 2-2.5 hours can be a struggle at times!

If bringing the kids, prepare yourself that you may have to pick up to allow others to play through, you may have to have small snack or restroom breaks, and you may not get all 9 holes in. Remember, it’s about having the shared experience and bonding time with your kids!

9. *BRING TODDLER/BABY TO A LESS CROWDED COURSE

If you are bringing a baby, make sure that temperature outside is not too hot and that the baby is in shade as babies have a harder time regulating body temperature.

In my opinion, it’s easier and safer to bring a stroller for the baby than trying to ratchet strap a carseat into the golf cart. You will also get great exercise carrying golf clubs while pushing the stroller! Check out my article on ways to golf with a baby stroller.

10. *KEEP THEM INVOLVED

Kids love spending time with their parents and having some “responsibilities”. We also know children’s attention spans are short, so we have to keep them entertained and constantly doing something.

Kids also love to wash the golf balls after each hole, pick the ball up out of the hole, hold the flagstick, etc.

If you keep them involved, they will learn to love the game of golf and you can eventually get your kids hooked to golf!

11. *MAKE THE GOLF CART FUN!

If the toddlers are old enough, holding them with one arm while driving the golf cart with the other arm and letting them “drive” is like an amusement park for them!

Keep your young ones involved and the round will go much faster and be a lot smoother with hopefully no meltdowns!

12. *PLAY GAMES SUCH AS “I SPY”

A popular road trip game also works great on the course to keep the kids occupied as well as keeping them engaged with their surroundings.

Saying something new every hole such as “I spy 2 things that start with ‘T’” will keep the kids occupied and make the round go a lot faster for the little ones.

13. *AVOID SCREEN TIME IF YOU CAN

Golf is about being in the great outdoors and getting fresh air away from technology. If you can, keep your phone in the golf bag so your kids will not have the urge to play on it.

Bring a coloring book or regular book to avoid having to get the phone out. Personal experience something like a Water WOW will keep toddlers occupied for the majority of a 9 hole round.

14. *PLAN WELL- BRING PLENTY OF SNACKS, TOYS, MILK, ETC.

If your kids are anything like mine, they are asking for a snack about an hour after a meal. When I do manage to get the kids to the course, make sure they have plenty of distractions to keep them occupied for the 2-2.5 hour round.

15. *HAVE ZERO EXPECTATIONS ABOUT YOUR OWN GAME

Remember, your score is irrelevant when with your kids. Go out there, try to hit some good shots, and have a great bonding time with your kids doing the game you love!

If they get to have fun and see you enjoy golf, they will be more likely to want to play it themselves as they get older. This gives you an excuse to bring them out and golf with them!!

*Always check with the course/driving range first to see if they allow babies or toddlers and be considerate of other golfers if your kid starts acting up or getting cranky. Should go without saying but only go to a course that is nearly empty to avoid errant shots and also to not back the course up.

FINAL THOUGHTS

As I wrote this list, these 15 steps were the most common ideas that came to mind. I’m sure there are more ways to sneak more golf into your busy life as a parent.

I hope this brought some value and encourage you to bring your kids golfing if you both are up for it. See my other posts as well for more actionable tips.