So you have finally come to find help? Well although every situation is different, we are going to go over a few issues that us golf addicts have, and how we can overcome this expensive habit, and better fit it into our list of priorities. Look… if you’re reading this you have caught some heat by a parent, spouse, or friend, from your golf addiction. Have you missed an event? Have you spent money on clubs without permission? Have you spent countless hours on the course when you should be with someone else? Have you missed work? Have you cancelled important plans? If you said yes to any those then we might have an issue on our hands. We’re not talking once a month golfing with the family. We’re talking any spare time you’ve got your working on your golf game. This… this is an issue. Believe it or not, you are not alone my friend. Not in the slightest bit.
I am from a family of 4 we are all relatively close in age, and I have a younger brother whos about a year and half younger than me. I chose to play basketball and football in high school. He chose golf, and is now one of the top armatures in the country. He placed 8th in the US Armature tournament, which is the biggest tournament in the nation if your not a PGA player, along with multiple collegiate wins. My father also has a membership at our local country club, so you can say golf runs in our blood.
As a newly wed, full-time college student, full-time office worker. I may have a few tips to help balance your large list of priorities whatever they may be. I am just newly married within just 6 months, I am a full-time student, and am averaging a 35 hour work week. I had little to no time to do the things I loved. Yet I would still take every opportunity I had to get to any course to play 9 or 18. Sadly golf was my number 1 priority. During free time at school or work, I would be watching golf educational videos to fix my swing. I would cancel date night to go putt. I would spend my paycheck on new goofballs, or on equipment. I was a golf addict in denial. If you asked me I was living my best life. If you asked my wife, she would say she disagreed.
After about a month or so into marriage she noticed I was golfing more that I was spending time going on dates, or hanging out with her. This was probably our first argument into our marriage. So the genius I was I decided to invite her and get her involved. The first time we went out she took a swing when I was behind her, and it hit me straight in the arm on her follow through. After a few choice words, and a purple arm, we both knew that might be the end of our hobby together. She no longer wanted to go with, or was uninterested even more when I would bring up golf in any manner.
After some self reflection, and some goal setting. My new wife and I had a plan to eliminate my habits, and focus on the more important matters at hand.
After our discussion, and goal settings. Here are some tips I have for you if your dealing with a golf addiction.
1. Make a compromise if its a spouse issue. Offer a value exchange, whether its time, or date night for every round of golf you play. I am sure there is something your wife or girlfriend wants you to do more of.
2. If its a financial issue, then start a separate saving account for hobbies such as golf. If you want a new set of irons that are $1,400, then you better start saving, because you have got to pay rent before you can pay a green fee.
3. Set a limit of how many times you can golf a week or month, depending on your availability. Set a budget for green fees so your not outdoing yourself, and spend more time practicing for free like putting, or chipping in your yard.
4. DO NOT PUT GOLF OVER WORK OR SCHOOL, EVER! Let me tell you from first hand experience that if you get into a habit of skipping class to play golf, it just gets easier and easier.
In closing I have some remarks I would like to share. Plan a trip with your buddies every few months to go somewhere reasonable in distance, and have a week where you can binge golf. Also, your probably not ever going to be that good at golf so accept it right now, and set limits!
