What Are The Benefits of Playing Golf as a Family
While there is no doubt some of us welcome a round of golf as an escape from the daily grind of work, or, dare we say it, as some relief from the challenges of parenting, it can be just as rewarding to bring both golf and your family together and with a few adjustments a day at the course can be enjoyable for all members of your family.
In addition to the health and fitness benefits, playing golf as a family provides multiple, less obvious, benefits. These include bonding time, problem solving, and life and social skills. Some adaptations may be needed for different skill levels, but golfing can be a rewarding and enjoyable family activity.
We take a look at some of the benefits of playing golf as a family, and some of the ways you can introduce the sport in a gradual, more inclusive way rather than starting with a full 18 hole competitive round and a quick look at some ways to get your children involved at the end.
Benefits of Playing Golf as a Family
There are many benefits to playing golf as a family. Some of the most significant benefits we have included in the sections below. This is list is far from exhaustive though!
Using Golf as Family Bonding Time
Golf is a great way for families to bond and spend quality time together. Whether you’re playing a round of mini golf or a full 18 holes, golf provides an opportunity for families to spend time together in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. If some of the family are considerably better at golf than others we have some tips on leveling the playing field a little in the sections below – to make it more enjoyable for all members.
Golf is Good Exercise For All Members Of The Family
Golf is a low-impact form of exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Walking a round of golf can burn up to 1,500 calories, making it a great way for families to stay active and healthy. leaving the Cart in the club house and using a golf trolly is even better, and gives more time chatting and enjoying the outdoors, and still the same time playing golf.
Golf is More Than Just A Long Walk: Mental benefits:
Golf is a game of strategy and concentration, which can help improve mental sharpness and focus. Playing golf as a family can help improve problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities.
Where to hit, what club is best used for particular lies, or distances, power needed are all problems and situations that need thought, and if with the family discussion and advice. Playing with one ball or a version of scramble golf ( see below) keeps the family all together for this type of problem solving activity.
Quality Family Time in Golf: Socialization
Golf is a social game, and playing as a family can help children learn how to interact with others and make new friends. Golf courses are often friendly and welcoming places, making them a great environment for families to socialize and meet new people.
Golf provides an opportunity for families to spend quality time together, away from the distractions of technology and everyday life. It’s a chance to unplug and focus on each other and the game. Something often needed for adults and especially for children it todays plugged in world.
Golf and Life skills:
Golf teaches a variety of life skills, such as sportsmanship, honesty, and respect for others. By playing golf as a family, parents can model these values for their children and help instill them in a fun and enjoyable way.
It allows to children to learn about defeat and how to handle setbacks and dealing with others. Although the same can be said about many sporting activities, golf allows, and not just, children to experience playing to the rules, and developing a sense of fair play.
Overall, playing golf as a family can be a fun, rewarding, and beneficial experience for everyone involved. It’s a great way to bond, stay active, and improve mental and social skills.
Are There Potential Drawbacks to Playing Golf as a Family?
As with anything there are minuses as well as pluses, and although these are outweighed by the benefits of playing golf as a family there are still some present. We tackle some of these in the table below. We have used a table to try to put some suggestions on how to mitigate these drawbacks to families playing together.
Table 1: Drawbacks and solutions to Playing Golf as a Family.
| Drawback for Playing Golf as a Family. | Explanation | Possible Solutions |
| Golf Costs for families | Golf can be an expensive sport, especially if you’re playing as a family. Golf courses often charge per person, and the cost can add up quickly if you’re playing with a large group. In addition to greens fees, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of equipment, such as clubs and balls. | So it is advisable to maybe try putting matts and sets, or mini or even crazy golf before hitting the golf club and signing up for family memberships. Clubs can be abought second hand, especially childrens as they out grow sets, and for a simple round as a beginner sets of 14 are not going to be needed! |
| Time commitment | Golf can be a time-consuming sport, especially if you’re playing a full round. A round of golf can take anywhere from 4 to 5 hours to complete, which may not be feasible for families with busy schedules. | Not every game of golf has to be a 4 hour 18 hole game. Pitch and putt, 9 holes, mini golf and of course driving ranges or putting matts all will be much easier to fit into those busy weeks. |
| Differing Skill Levels | Golf can be a challenging sport, and if there is a significant difference in skill level between family members, it can be frustrating for some players. This can be especially true if one player is much better than the others, as it can be difficult for them to compete fairly. | While competitions and tournaments are heavy on rules, your rounds, within reason, you can make your own. handicap players, play Golf Scramble or Gold bingo or even one ball golf to keep all your family golfers involved not just those with low handicaps. |
| Weather: | Golf is an outdoor sport, and the weather can be a factor. If it’s raining or too hot outside, it may not be enjoyable for everyone to play. | There are golf simulators, that while not as good as the real thing are a decent alterative when mother nature decides its an indoor day, even games on Xbox, playstation, wii, or switch have some aspect of activity, and interactivity now. Similarly putting matts or driving ranges off shelter from less than perfect weather. |
| Accessibility: | Golf courses may not be accessible to everyone, especially if they’re located in a remote area or have physical barriers such as stairs or steep hills. | Not every round or game of golf has to be at a golf course. Mini golf or a small 9 hole course exist in may places, or you can create a mini putting green in your outdoor space and get some practice in as a family. The idea is to keep it fun, not break course records. |
While playing golf as a family can be a fun popular and enjoyable experience, it’s important to keep in mind the potential drawbacks and consider whether it’s a good fit for your family.
Ways to Make Golf More Suitable for Families.
As we are aware this page is turning into tables and lists, so this will be the last list. We thought it useful, however, to come up with some ways of making golf more accessible to the whole family, not just the golf obsessed Mom or Dad. We have 8 ideas to make golfing, and especially introduction to golfing, more accessible to the younger members, or the less skilled golfers in your family.
- Play a round of mini golf. Mini golf is a great way for families to play golf together because it’s less intimidating and MUCH less expensive than traditional golf. Plus, mini golf courses are often more colorful and fun, which makes them more appealing to children and less pressure on performance. They skill test skills, and will still build muscle memory (especially putting of course) but in a less pressurized environment. .
- Play a game of footgolf. Footgolf is a hybrid sport that combines soccer and golf. It’s played on a golf course, but instead of hitting a ball with a club, players kick a soccer ball into a hole. Footgolf is a great way for families to play golf together because it’s a low-stress activity that everyone can enjoy. You don’t need a golf course though, you can create a small course in a local park or recreational area.
- Play a round of golf using only one club. This can be a fun and challenging way to play golf as a family. Each member of the family gets to choose one club to use for the entire round. This forces everyone to think creatively and come up with different ways to use their club.
- Play a round of golf using only one ball. Similar to playing with only one club, playing with only one ball adds an extra element of strategy and teamwork to the game. The whole family has to work together to keep the ball in play and avoid losing it.
- Play a scramble format. As we mentioned above, In a scramble format, each member of the family hits a shot from the tee, and then everyone plays their second shot from the location of the best shot That is closest to the flag. ( check out what flag colors mean here) . This format is a great way for families to play golf together because it allows players of different skill levels to contribute to the team.
- Play a round of golf with modified rules. For example, you could allow each player to take three mulligans (do-overs) per round or give each player a bonus stroke on a hole of their choice. Modifying the rules can make the game more fun and accessible for everyone.
- Play a round of golf using a handicap system. Handicaps are used to level the playing field in golf by giving players of different skill levels a certain number of strokes on certain holes. This allows families with players of different skill levels to compete fairly.
- Play a round of golf with a twist. For example, you could play a round of golf using only putters or play a round of golf blindfolded (with a sighted guide, of course). These unconventional ways of playing golf can be a lot of fun and add an element of surprise to the game.
- When younger players have some golfing skills move up to a Pitch and Putt course to test and develop those skills. We have an article on the benefits of pitch and putt for children here.
The key to playing golf as a family is to have fun and be creative. There are many different ways to play the game, and by trying different formats and variations, you can find something that works for your family.
Conclusion
Playing golf as a family can have huge benefits outside of the usual benefits associated with playing sports. It can families time together to bond and talk in-between the action, it can encourage problems solving skills, dealing with conflict, loss and sportsmanship as well as the importance of rules and etiquette.
This is all in addition to those usual benefits associated with outdoor activities like exercise, fitness, an awareness of the environment and the ability to work both as part of a team and as an individual.
Even the drawbacks can have relatively simple to implement solutions as we mentioned in the table above, and if one or two of you in the family are avid golfers, then with some simple changes you might be able to turn your twosome into a family some in no time at all.
