If there’s one thing we’ve mastered as a family it’s how to turn a junior golf tournament into a family vacation. Our oldest is the one who plays competitive golf, which means our younger two are along for the ride.
One of the first lessons we learned is how a junior golfer’s tournament schedule can take you out on the road, but it also means the costs, time commitment, and logistics add up quickly. To make it the most worthwhile, we used the opportunity to benefit the entire family while supporting our son’s competitive goals.
Blending tournament travel with a family outing isn’t always easy, but over the years it has paid us in memories and even a few new traveling traditions. I’ve also learned a few tips for keeping it more budget-friendly and getting the entire family involved.
1. Choose tournaments with built-in family appeal
Once you get to a certain point with your child’s junior golf schedule, you may have multiple options for tournaments in your area or region. If so, start by looking for the location with the biggest family appeal. Places like Pinehurst, NC, Orlando, and Dallas come to mind, but you may be surprised at how fun other places can be. For example, last year we took the entire family to Detroit, Michigan for the U.S. Junior Amateur, and it was one of our most memorable trips thanks to all of the activities available in the big city (and the absolute BEST Detroit-style pizza).
Other attractions you can look for with family appeal include:
- Zoos, aquariums, science centers
- Scenic parks or beaches
- Historic towns or walkable downtowns
- Hotels with pools, game rooms, and kid-friendly activities
This is where doing your research before signing up for a tournament can be a major help! Also, don’t be afraid to ask other parents about their own experiences at particular tournaments and towns. We learned so much by simply asking before we booked and you’ll quickly find out there are some locations better than others for families.
2. Choose accommodations wisely
I love a good Airbnb, but sometimes a trip calls for a hotel thanks to its family-friendly amenities. Of course location to the golf course will likely be the biggest factor, but if you can, look for the extras in a hotel that can make it easier on you and the other kids.
An indoor pool (to burn off energy), a free breakfast (to save time and money), or having a kitchenette in the room, can be a major lifesaver when traveling with your family squad. I will add though, as a family of 5 we’ve found it more challenging over the years to find hotel rooms that are comfortable (without purchasing 2 rooms), so sometimes this will outweigh other benefits and sway us to choosing a vacation rental instead.
3. Plan at least one family activity
I know golf tournament schedules are jam-packed, but it’s so important to find at least one activity the entire family can do together. It may be as simple as finding a new local pizza place, visiting a local farmers market, or going for a swim, but as long as it’s intentional, then it can make for a great experience.
The best part is, you can typically find activities that fit a range of time commitments and budgets, so don’t be afraid to get creative.
4. Get the entire family involved
Another way to make it a weekend the entire family looks forward to is by asking your other children for ideas. A few easy ways of accomplishing this is by letting a sibling pick the restaurant for a meal, having them pick a free activity, or visiting a local coffee shop. Our other teenage son loves to research before we go somewhere, so I’ve learned to let him help me with generating ideas.
One of my favorite “tricks” for getting the family involved is by bringing along the grandparents! This can make it so much easier with having an extra set of hands and creating more memories as a family. If it’s not the grandparents, then ask family friends or other relatives if they’d be up for joining you.
5. Balance activities with the junior golf schedule
By far, the most challenging part with taking the family along is trying to balance the junior golfer’s needs, versus what the other kids want to do. While I’m not an expert, I have found you can do a few things to make sure your golfer still maintains their energy for the tournament, even with their siblings around.
- Limit activities before the tournament round
- Make sure your golfer sticks to their pre-round routine
- Encourage a post-round routine of quiet time, relaxation, journaling, and/or stretching
- Briefly talking about that day’s round, but then pivot conversation for the entire family
I encourage any family to make the most of these years of junior golf tournaments. It takes a little extra planning to bring the entire family along, but it is so worth it in the long run. Our other children constantly bring up memorable moments from tournaments and have had the chance to see parts of the country we normally wouldn’t visit. By doing your research beforehand, getting creative with incorporating family activities, and getting the entire family involved, you can make junior golf memories that last a lifetime for everyone.