Taking Baby to Driving Range Tips

If golf is one of your passions in life, it might be a little bit disappointing to believe that your days at the driving range are numbered. Many parents mistakenly think that a baby means all bets are off at the golf course for a while and that there’s no way of taking baby to the driving range.

Giving up something that’s an important part of your life isn’t exactly emotionally or even physically healthy for you. A day at the driving range provides a good deal of exercise and a few notable health benefits. If your baby is less than 12 months old, you should likely refrain from taking him or her out for a day on the course.

Plan for Safety!

There are several important steps to safely take your baby outside.

Your baby won’t have any memory of you taking baby to driving range, so definitely don’t plan on doing this as a way to bond with your baby over the game of golf.

It’s a you thing! You love golf, enjoy playing it on your days off, and now you’re going to have to do it with a baby alongside you. Planning a day at the driving range with your baby needs to set up one chief thing as priority: your baby’s safety.

People at driving ranges have been hit before, and a baby getting hit by a golf ball is a scary possibility. If at all possible, you do want to see if you can find a sitter before taking baby to driving range, especially if your child is under a year old.

Here are six ways to make sure that your little bundle of joy is safe while you enjoy your time at the driving range.

1. A shorter stay

Do not under any circumstances consider taking baby to driving range expecting to stay out there on the driving range for five or six hours.

Even an hour is pushing it, but at a maximum, plan to stay an hour. A baby on a golf course is likely to get mightily bored after even a few minutes, and their chances of sleeping during a windy day or certain types of weather conditions is very unlikely. It is likely your baby won’t nap during this time.

Your toys are going to be your clubs and golf balls. Their toys need to be in tow as well, as they will likely get bored even though you’re having the time of your life.

2. Pack all necessities

Take a well-stocked diaper bag with you that includes all the essentials: diapers, bottles, formula (or pre-pumped breast milk), toys, pacifiers, baby blankets, and anything else that you feel like your baby might need at this time.

While you’re driving your golf balls where you want them to be, it’s wise to make sure that your baby is a safe distance away, not anywhere near where they might come into contact with the ball or the swing.

If you’re taking baby to driving range, consider inviting a golfing partner to the course with you should be a prerequisite to going these days, as they can shelter your baby in every way possible while you drive. When your baby gets hungry, it’s feeding time. If they need toys to occupy them, grab them for your baby.

3. A buddy on the course

Taking baby to driving range alone may be dangerous, so always play with a buddy that can command the stroller or carrier while you’re the one out there playing your game. Never, ever try to go this alone, as when you’re swinging, you need someone who can make sure that your baby is attended to and well taken care of.

Obviously, your swings need to be more guarded, and your baby needs to be a safe distance away from the hole that you’re swinging on. Never leave a baby unattended at the golf course. If you can’t grab a buddy for the day you’re planning at the driving range, it might be time to cancel and schedule for another day.

4. Be prepared to leave

Your baby is brand new at this living thing. There are environments that you call a second home that they’ve never seen before.

When taking baby to driving range, you’re completely at home and comfy. They’re not going to share these same feelings.

For them, taking baby to driving range is an event that is filled with strange people, and if the weather is especially hot – or cold – they’re going to be affected in a way that you’re not going to be.

In other words, it could result in a lot of crying and unrest for your baby, especially if they’re very young. If they’re still completely powerless to walk around or move, it might be time to cut the trip short and head home. Always have a plan to leave early if your baby needs to.

Reasons you might need to leave include:

• Baby is terrified
• You feel there are dangerous situations you hadn’t anticipated before going
• Your baby is too hot or cold
• They’re unable to be comfortable at all
• You notice they’re sick

5. Dress baby appropriately

Your little one is still growing into this world, and they’re going to be more sensitive to weather conditions than you are. Never consider taking baby to driving range if it’s especially hot or cold.

Check the temperature on a day you plan to go, and if the temperature is too hot or cold, it’s time to either find a sitter or postpone the trip to the course.

Just like you dress your baby for sleep, dress your baby appropriately for their time on the course. If it’s chilly, dress them in a light jacket (or whatever would be appropriate for their age), and if it’s hot, dress them cooly.

Doing this will increase your chances of getting a full hour in on the course. A hot or cold baby is a fussy baby.

Conclusion: Possible But Not Recommended

If your child is nearing toddler age, it might be completely appropriate to consider taking baby to driving range. They may even be able to enjoy it themselves.

If, however, your baby is still in a baby carrier and very frail and tiny right now, a day on the driving range would be best put off until they’re older. If you simply must take them for whatever reason, follow the above tips as gospel, and ask friends for still more tips on how to make the outing even safer. Having a baby in a place where hard golf balls will be flying out of control sometimes is not ideal, and it can even pose a safety risk for your baby.

A newborn should probably never be taken to a driving range, but there are definitely parents who can make such things happen in a way that’s safe for their child. A baby over 12 months old might be more suited to a day at the driving range, but many parents are wizards at going about their lives with baby in tow, and they keep things perfectly safe in the most ingenious of ways.

If you’re one of those parents, more power to you and your golf swing!