How to Find Time to Play Golf: 5 Best Tips
Do you find it challenging to fit golf into your busy schedule? You’re not alone. Finding time to hit the links with work, family, and other responsibilities can be difficult. As someone who has faced this issue myself, I understand the struggle. However, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can make time for your favorite game and see improvement in your skills. In this article, I’ll share my expertise on how to find time to play golf and make the most out of every moment on the course.
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1) Play During Nonpeak Hours
Being strategic about when you book a tee time is essential because one of the best ways to get in a quick round and save some money is to play golf during nonpeak hours. Usually, fewer people are on the course first thing in the morning and late afternoon, especially if you can play during the week.
Weekends, especially Saturdays during peak season, are not the best time to get in a quick morning round; not only will there be many more golfers on the course, but you may also end up paying more money for your round. The average time to play golf during peak season on a Saturday is a good bit higher than playing golf on a weekday; especially during the off season.
Playing golf in the morning generally does not qualify as a time to get a reduced green fee; however, if you play after a particular time in the afternoon, many golf courses, especially public and semi-private facilities, will give you a reduced rate. With fewer people on the course late in the afternoon, you should get in a quick round of golf and still be able to finish all 18 holes during the Spring and Summer months. Additionally, most of the time, in terms of saving money on green fees, the best time to play golf is in the afternoon.
If you’re interested in reading more about ways to reduce the length of time a round of golf takes, or you’re wondering about the length of time an average round takes, take a look at my article, where I answer the question: how long is a round of golf?
2) Use a Golf Cart
Although walking the golf course can be relaxing and change the way a golfer plays the game, it is not the best strategy for playing faster rounds. Instead, I recommend riding in a golf cart when golfing because the tee shot to the green riding helps prevent slow play due to the quicker pace compared to walking.
I enjoy walking whenever I have the time; however, I’m also well aware of the added time when walking the course instead of riding in a golf cart. If you’re trying to get in a quick round, the extra time walking takes will add up quickly, and you’ll find that it makes it more challenging to find time for golf.
Bonus Tip: Even if walking the golf course is not the fastest way to play a round, I recommend walking the golf course occasionally, as it gives you a different perspective and helps with course management because it slows down the game. Also, walking the course can make the game a lot more enjoyable. I've known golfers who were not having as much fun on the course as they should have been and started walking, only to find that the game became much more fun.
As a side note, walking the golf course may be quicker than riding in a golf cart if the local rule for the day is cart path only, meaning your cart must stay on the path—likely due to wet conditions. In this instance, because you can walk in a straight line and go directly to your golf ball, walking the course may be quicker than riding in a cart, where you may have to drive up and then walk a good way to your ball if it’s on the opposite of the fairway or hole in general.
3) Schedule Your Golf Time
Although working in time for golf in your schedule sounds simple enough, those of us who have a hectic life know all too well that this is easier said than done.
Like anything else in life, I find that scheduling golf time is much more effective than just having the intention to play golf. Scheduling, the act of writing down or physically adding golf time to your schedule, makes all the difference. There have even been studies suggesting this is the case, which is why I recommend going through the scheduling process to see if it works for you.
4) Let Others Know About Your Golf Time
Perhaps nothing makes as much of a difference in getting your golf game on track as telling your family and friends about your intentions. Regardless of your goals in golf, making time to play and practice is essential if you want to improve and, most importantly, enjoy the game long-term.
Once you let others know of your desire to play and practice golf, more often than not, you’ll find they will be willing to help you make time for golf; however, make sure everyone is on the same page, especially in terms of your family. Perhaps other family members also want to take up the game; in this case, golf can be a great way to spend time with them and bond.
5) Practice Golf at Home
Look no further if you’re wondering how to play golf on a tight schedule. One of the best-kept secrets of good golfers is the advantage of practicing golf at home. Not only does practicing your swing and game at home save time and money, but it also takes off the pressure of hitting in front of others and allows you to focus on the correct movements in the golf swing, not the result.
Some of my best practice sessions have happened at home. However, having the proper setup for practicing at home is essential, which you can do cheaply. For your reference, I have listed two of the products I use for at-home practice below:
We, golfers, do not need the extra hassle of finding time to play and practice; golf is hard enough, so consider the above when you’re working golf into your life. Most importantly, whenever you find time for the game, have fun and enjoy yourself because that’s what it’s all about.
