My wife got sick with COVID 19 just before Mother’s Day.
It’s definitely unfair to end up with COVID on your first Mother’s Day, but we got through it and made the day as special as possible despite the unfortunate circumstances.
I had a short time for the Friday before Mother’s Day. I was still feeling healthy, so I decided to play golf solo. As my wife was ill, this meant our six month old was coming along for the ride.
Some people would never be willing to do that, but I’m addicted to golf. I prepared a bottle, grabbed the diaper bag, loaded into the car and headed to the course.
What I learned
I did a lot of training.
As you can see, I walked nearly four miles and my average heart rate was 127 bpm.
If you’re looking for a way to lose weight or just a general way to stay in shape, walking is the way to go. Pushing the cart and carrying my bag was an extra challenge, and I think I burned nearly double the calories doing it.
It was a little inconvenient to carry my bag and push the cart, but the sacrifice was worth it to get some golf in on a day I wouldn’t normally be able to play.
I was forced to think more about my game and that led to a better result.
Sometimes I forget how beneficial walking really is. I had double the time between each shot and was able to play stress free golf. Between shots, I talked to my kid, looked at my phone, and just typed it all in.
This is what happens when you walk the golf course. This is not a new concept. The second factor that really helped me detox during the course was the fact that my child was an additional founding aspect. It’s hard to curse and throw sticks when a six-month-old is smiling at you.
The quality time was the best part.
Look, I know my baby is only six months old. She doesn’t speak yet; she just makes cute faces and silly noises. That didn’t stop me from showing off my round and talking to him on every hole. The photo above was taken right after I threw an arrow about 1.5 feet, almost reaching for the eagle (I took the easy shot).
Being able to go out and make sure she was taken care of while I enjoyed a round of golf was perfect. I know some babies have personalities that won’t allow for this type of round, but if you have a cold baby, consider trying this when your wife needs some time to herself or is busy (or sick).
Final thoughts
Traditionalists may disagree with a child’s behavior on the course. I understand that, to an extent.
I wouldn’t bring my newborn to Pebble Beach or TPC Sawgrass, but the local courses shouldn’t be a problem. Everyone I interacted with was cordial and thought it was great that I found a way to get out and play golf regardless of the circumstances.
I wrote this article to encourage players to do their part to grow the game. Start at your home. If you’re a mom/dad expecting your first child, don’t let the world tell you your golfing days are over. Like I said, if there’s a will, there’s a way.
My daughter won’t remember this round, but I can’t wait to tell her the story when she, her mom, and I play together in the future.
