How to Golf on Vacation in a Way your Wife can Appreciate

When you think about time away from work, where does your mind drift?

Does it drift to the water? Does it drift to the slow mornings with your loved ones? Or does it drift to the golf course?

Many of my readers are married men who (presumably) love their wives. I think it’d be fair to assume that most wives are fine with their husbands’ golf interest/obsession, so long as it doesn’t hinder their ability to be a good husband or a good father.

That said, this newsletter is primarily for the married man. Wives, take note if your men begin to use some of these… techniques. Single men, put this one in your back pocket for later.

As with anything and everything, golf comes with its tradeoffs. A full round could take 6 hours out of your day when you include the travel to and from, the actual golf, and the pre and post-round chit chat.

So when you’re on vacation, or even a long weekend away, can a man reasonably expect to fit even a single full round of golf in? Unlikely, but possible, if approached the right way.

I must preface this entire newsletter with one very serious comment: do not ever use these tactics to ACTUALLY manipulate your wife in any way. Most of these “reasons” are just silly, comical excuses, and you’re often better off just saying, “hey honey, I just really really want to play golf this weekend. Would that be okay?” Still, I will give you my best.

My thoughts and advice are as follows:

If it is the expectation that the purpose of your trip is rest and relaxation and time spent with family, do not expect to get away with a round of golf right in the middle of it.

If you set the tone early (months in advance) that you and the other guys have been chatting about golfing on the trip, you have a better shot.

Here’s a sample script:

Honey, my brother Joe said he’s been dying to get out on the golf course with me when we go down to Florida. I told him I wasn’t sure we’d be able to get out there given we’d only have so much time with the family, but that I’d bring my clubs just in case.

Bonus script (two days later):

Joe already booked a tee time for us… I don’t really know if I can even say no at this point.

Now it’s Joe’s fault. Simple as that.

Here are a few tips if the previous scripts don’t work for you:

Simple. How can WE ALL spend some time together, outside, in the sunshine, beautiful weather, wind in and smiles on our faces? How about a morning on the golf course. Honey, you can drive the cart — it’ll be so fun.

“And besides, golf is important to me. Don’t you want to get out there with me and see what the fuss is all about?”

That’s sure to work, right guys?

Is there a good local spa? What about a new shopping center? Whatever there may be, suggest it’d be a great activity for the girls to indulge in for a few hours.

I recommend looking a few things up weeks in advance, so as to build some excitement for them. When your wife asks “well what will y’all do while we’re there?,” you simply shrug and say “I mean we may just hang at the house or see if we could grab a tee time or something.”

VERY casual (your tee time is already booked).

Golf is just one of those things you do with your brothers, your brothers-in-law, your father, your father-in-law. It’s a sacred time where differences subside and we all bond over the shared experience of the beautiful game.

It’d be unfair to withhold that moment with your FAMILY.

Note: she is your closest family, so use your words with care.

The partners at your company have considered taking you out to golf, and the only way to ensure your wife of financial freedom is to get better at the game your bosses play.

She’ll notice your dedication to success and your dedication to taking care of your family. At this point, she knows this is probably a bit of a farce, and it won’t likely work — still, give it your best go.

And if NONE of those work, get your wife one of these:

You may get little budge on the eighteen-hole round. If that’s the case, you should be prepared to offer an easy nine-hole outing with the gentlemen.

Find the best nine holes your destination offers, and limit the chit chat before and after. You’ll be in and out in three hours tops.

Everyone’s happy. And there’s a special and particular beauty to a nine hole outing anyway.

The truth is, you should always seek to honor your wife.

If playing golf will ACTUALLY hurt your relationship with your spouse, you mustn’t hit the links. As wonderful as it is, golf is not worth marriage trouble.

But if you can find ways to build a healthy marriage while getting maximum time on the golf course, consider yourself blessed. Rich, even!

Cheers,

Luke ManganOn Golf