32 replies to this topic

[displayname]

This post is purely just to vent and hear about how others deal with life getting in the way of their game.  Feel free to share your issues that are killing your game.

So I'm at that age.  Trying to be a young professional, trying to be a "grown up", but most of all lately... wedding season. I've been in 3 weddings in the past 3 months, and I'm about to leave town for yet another engagement party. It never ends.  Not to mention I already lose a good amount of golf time because I'm balancing a long distance relationship.  On top of that, it gets dark at 5 or 5:30 now, and I'm at work till at least 6 or 7 every day.

I feel like I have completely missed the good Texas playing weather.  It's already cold here in Dallas, not really cold, still nice. But the colder weather is coming quick, and I will be traveling again for thanksgiving next week.   With all these weddings and mini-trips, I've only been able to get out to the driving range once every other week, and on the course once a month if I'm lucky.  This is obviously killing my game.  And I mean KILLING it.  Last time I was at the range I felt like I had never golfed in my life. I also hate seeing my monthly PDP fee's just go to waste.  When I go to hit my first bucket of balls on say the 18th or 19th of the month thinking "this was a $20 bucket of balls.  I HAVE to get out here more".

How do others scratch the itch when life keeps getting in the way? I know the only way to keep getting better and enjoying the game is getting out and hitting balls and playing.

[MizzyMan]

I live in Dallas too. Don't worry, this phase will pass (weddings and such), and soon you'll have all the time you need. And as bad as the heat/humidity is in the summer, at least we can play year round here. Some of the best times I've had playing were in the winter, 55-65 degree days in January and Feb.

[Chief Illiniwek]

You're risking a strongly worded reply from one of our Canadian WRXers for all this talk about the "colder weather" being on it's way to Dallas :-).

[MtlJeff]

Chief Illiniwek, on 17 November 2012 - 01:02 PM, said:

You're risking a strongly worded reply from one of our Canadian WRXers for all this talk about the "colder weather" being on it's way to Dallas :-).

3...2.....1....

I live in Montreal....MONTREAL! And people get married here too you know! I went to like 5 weddings this year including my brothers which i had to travel for. Our season is April to early November, but April and anything after mid October is basically silly season. Aerated greens, 6 degree weather with wind. 5 irons that go 150yds. In April it takes most of the month just to get your touch around the greens back. So i hate even missing one weekend. Fortunately my wife is pretty great about things like that and lets me play a lot. But the season is over now and i won't hit a club off grass for 5 1/2 months.

I try and play after work a couple of times a week in the summer months and every weekend. 70 rounds in a season for someone with a 9-5 job is a monumental achievement here.  I don't know many people in a similar situation better then a 0-3 handicap. The better guys are usually teachers or students, or guys who run their own business and can play every morning. I'll likely never get better then i am because there just isn't enough time to play and the short season keeps you from keeping your touch.

I'd love to live in Dallas! (seriously i would, but i'd weigh 300lbs). I was there last March for a couple of weeks and i think Dickey's needed to take out a restraining order on me by the end of it LOL

[MadGolfer76]

displayname, on 17 November 2012 - 09:01 AM, said:

This post is purely just to vent and hear about how others deal with life getting in the way of their game.  Feel free to share your issues that are killing your game.

So I'm at that age.  Trying to be a young professional, trying to be a "grown up", but most of all lately... wedding season. I've been in 3 weddings in the past 3 months, and I'm about to leave town for yet another engagement party. It never ends.  Not to mention I already lose a good amount of golf time because I'm balancing a long distance relationship.  On top of that, it gets dark at 5 or 5:30 now, and I'm at work till at least 6 or 7 every day.

I feel like I have completely missed the good Texas playing weather.  It's already cold here in Dallas, not really cold, still nice. But the colder weather is coming quick, and I will be traveling again for thanksgiving next week.   With all these weddings and mini-trips, I've only been able to get out to the driving range once every other week, and on the course once a month if I'm lucky.  This is obviously killing my game.  And I mean KILLING it.  Last time I was at the range I felt like I had never golfed in my life. I also hate seeing my monthly PDP fee's just go to waste.  When I go to hit my first bucket of balls on say the 18th or 19th of the month thinking "this was a $20 bucket of balls.  I HAVE to get out here more".

How do others scratch the itch when life keeps getting in the way? I know the only way to keep getting better and enjoying the game is getting out and hitting balls and playing.

If you are going to that many weddings then it is time to cut down on the friends. That stuff gets expensive. lol

Seriously, welcome to adult life. You are learning that sometimes (unfortunately) you have to be a little selfish with your time or else you miss out. Learn how to say "no." That said, I can't imagine you have so many friends getting married all at once, year to year? Things will have to look better after this dirge of weddings gets done.

Btw, you are WAY too far south to be talking about cold. js

[MizzyMan]

MtlJeff, on 17 November 2012 - 01:13 PM, said:

I'd love to live in Dallas! (seriously i would, but i'd weigh 300lbs). I was there last March for a couple of weeks and i think Dickey's needed to take out a restraining order on me by the end of it LOL

Love me some Dickey's...

Edit: that doesn't sound right at all! Dickey's BBQ

Edited by MizzyMan, 17 November 2012 - 03:17 PM.

[freddyottawa]

I'm with Jeff, you don't know how lucky you are that you have golf season all year round. It's the same thing every year here for me. My game comes around to where i'm playing great golf.....and then it snows, season done. It sucks trying to find your short game every April.

[1puttwoods]

Here's what you should do......Quit your job, lose the girlfriend or boyfriend, dismiss all your friends, and move to Miami.  Get a night job as a bartender at a Club.  Work from 7 pm to 3 am.  Go home after work and sleep until noon then go practice or play until you have to go to work again.  It's pretty simple.  Or just be a "grown up" and deal with the choices you've made with your life.  If you want to play more golf and practice more why didn't you choose a different career path?  If you are so consumed with the game why don't you politely decline going to a friends wedding.  If your complaining how about being in a "long distance relationship" cuts into your golf time you need to significantly rethink your life goals.  I'm pretty sure these are the questions you need to ask yourself not strangers on a golf forum.

[Sean2]

Consider yourself lucky...at my age I now attend a lot more funerals than weddings.

[Senna]

Its the weather that gets in the way in Ireland, this last two months its pouring rain 6 days of the week and if you are working on the one day it doesn't, then no golf for another week.
My course has got so bad that from now till next march/april you cant hit a ball off the grass, you have to place a mat under the ball and hit off the mat.  Seriously considering joining a link course so at least its playable all year round.

[flip flappy]

I understand your rant. Since having a family, my hobby time has been reduced tremendously. Thank goodness I am self employed and can get a little mid week golf in. I used to work for my brother when I was into hunting more. It was a killer if something came up on the weekend. Hopefully your friends will the marrying thing over with soon!

[kekoa]

Op, make sure u never have kids lol!!

[hef63303]

Just say no.

[npham]

MtlJeff, on 17 November 2012 - 01:13 PM, said:

Chief Illiniwek, on 17 November 2012 - 01:02 PM, said:

You're risking a strongly worded reply from one of our Canadian WRXers for all this talk about the "colder weather" being on it's way to Dallas :-).

Our season is April to early November, but April and anything after mid October is basically silly season.

LOL, "early November.." Our season ended Oct 15 or 16th because of a huge snow fall. I wish I could have played in early Nov.

[MtlJeff]

npham, on 17 November 2012 - 10:07 PM, said:

MtlJeff, on 17 November 2012 - 01:13 PM, said:

Chief Illiniwek, on 17 November 2012 - 01:02 PM, said:

You're risking a strongly worded reply from one of our Canadian WRXers for all this talk about the "colder weather" being on it's way to Dallas :-).

Our season is April to early November, but April and anything after mid October is basically silly season.

LOL, "early November.." Our season ended Oct 15 or 16th because of a huge snow fall. I wish I could have played in early Nov.

anyone who lives in Alberta shouldn't even bother playing golf. You guys should get together and start snowandwindWRX.com

[Rockminer]

Op I think it will get better for you, in the future. The biggest problem I see, this time of year, is people loosing their minds at having to go to a wedding, when their favorite football team is playing. I mean dang, can't you just get married some time other than football season?  

[Rock Chalk Jayhawk]

I would think that Wedding season would help your game. Maybe you need a new approach.  We're talking about drunken hookups with desperate women, right?

[Mountaineer]

You've probably already thought of it, but If they're in your area, consider giving indoor ranges/simulators a shot? May not be the real deal, but you can play anytime of day and weather is no longer a factor. I would think most places would have reasonable hours to at least 8pm or 9pm, so you might be able to swing by after work?

[highergr0und]

Are you partying and sleeping in on these wedding weekends?  If you travel with clubs, you should have no issue sneaking in a round or range time on the morning of the wedding or the morning after.  You'll just have to behave yourself at night so you can pull it off.

[memphishorn]

Do what I did May. Go to wedding out of town, take your clubs, play a strange course and have your 1st Hole in One!

[stage1350]

Nail some bridesmaids and you won't be worrying about your game.

[MtlJeff]

stage1350, on 18 November 2012 - 08:00 PM, said:

Nail some bridesmaids and you won't be worrying about your game.

My wife was out of town for a month this summer, and one night as i'm playing after work with someone i'd call a casual acquaintance, he makes a reference to how easy it would be to cheat on her while she was gone (not sure if he was kidding). I told him with absolute honesty: When would i have time to cheat? I'm here every night!

frankly i'd rather play golf....LOL, maybe that's sad

[displayname]

Thanks for all the responses everyone.  I was actually able to take my clubs and sneak 9 holes in on this trip.  That will defiantly be happening more frequently.  As for the job, it's paying the bills and student loans, but I am always keeping an eye out for things that might be more flexible. And I know, Dallas really doesn't get that cold, and even when it does it seems to be in short burst more then anything.  

I'm glad other people have had this issue though.  If only we could put life on pause and focus on the fun things!

[hammy1983]

Any thought of me having another wedding causes nervousness and anxiety in my shot routine and usually leads to a bad round so I agree... its killing my game.

[Llortamaisey]

Sean2, on 17 November 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

Consider yourself lucky...at my age I now attend a lot more funerals than weddings.

I agree Sean, funeral season is much more detrimental to one's golf game. You can't skip a person's funeral otherwise they will never come to yours.

[Gutz_it]

I just started a new relationship and its severely hampering my golf time
I was playing every arvo and comps on Saturday and Sunday
Now I'm having to pick a day to play on the weekend and my afternoons are just not as free as I would like
I've got birthdays, BBQ's and parties (all her frienda) she wants me to attend

It's not easy balancing this as I thought
My last gf was long distance so it was no problem at all

Not sure if I actually have a point to this post
But feels good to get it off my chest

[PhilsFanDrew]

I'm of similar age and know what you are going through.  My advice is only go to the wedding ceremonies of real close friends and family members and just the receptions for college friends.  Just spring for a nice gift and they won't care.   Get out early in the morning then you have time to come home and get ready for the reception and get your drink on.

[bulldurham]

At least you don't have to balance a short-distance relationship! :P

[HackerVance]

It's especially detrimental to your game if it's your own wedding or funeral.

[mantan]

MizzyMan, on 17 November 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

I live in Dallas too. Don't worry, this phase will pass (weddings and such), and soon you'll have all the time you need. And as bad as the heat/humidity is in the summer, at least we can play year round here. Some of the best times I've had playing were in the winter, 55-65 degree days in January and Feb.

I agree about winter golf here.   It's actually my favorite season to play.   The temps are great in the spring, but the wind is usually blowing 25-35mph.   Summers are nice, but the heat can be a beating.  The weather is perfect in the fall, but the courses are packed.   But in the winter you get a lot of 50-60* calm sunny days where a lot of casual golfers feel it's too cold to play.  The courses are empty and the rates are low.  I love knocking off a weekday afternoon to play during the winter.