There’s a particular conversation that happens in thousands of Australian households every December. It goes something like this: “I was thinking of playing some golf while we’re on holiday.” Followed by a look from your partner that could freeze lava.

Golf and holidays shouldn’t be mutually exclusive, but they often end up that way. The trick is planning it properly rather than trying to sneak in rounds while everyone else sits around waiting for you. I’ve made enough mistakes over the years to have learned a few things about what works and what causes arguments.

Set Expectations Early

The worst thing you can do is spring a golf round on people during the holiday. “Hey, I’ve got a tee time in an hour” is a recipe for disaster when you’re supposed to be on a family beach trip.

Talk about it before you leave. Be specific: how many rounds, which days, how long each will take including travel. Give people actual information to work with rather than vague “might play a bit of golf” statements.

And be realistic about timing. A round of golf isn’t two hours. It’s travel time, the round itself (usually 4+ hours), maybe a drink afterwards, and getting back. You’re looking at half a day minimum. Plan accordingly.

Choose Golf-Friendly Destinations

Some holiday spots are better than others for combining golf with family time. Coastal areas with good courses nearby work well—you can play early, be back for a late breakfast, and still do beach time with everyone else.

The Gold Coast does this brilliantly. Great courses all over the place, plenty of non-golf activities for family members, and accommodation options that work for everyone. Same with parts of the Mornington Peninsula or around Port Stephens.

Trying to golf in places with limited courses or terrible access just creates stress. If golf matters to you, factor it into the destination choice rather than trying to force it afterwards.

The Early Morning Strategy

Dawn golf is your friend during holidays. A 6am tee time means you’re done by 10:30, back before lunch, and haven’t actually taken time away from family activities. Yeah, it means early mornings, but that’s the compromise.

This works especially well in summer when sunrise is stupid-early anyway. By the time non-golfers are thinking about breakfast, you’ve played 18 holes and you’re ready for whatever the day holds.

Book these times in advance though. Everyone else has figured out this strategy too, and prime holiday periods mean courses are packed. Trying to get a slot when you arrive usually means afternoon times, which blow up the whole day.

The Trade-Off System

I play golf on Tuesday morning, you take Wednesday afternoon for the spa. I’ll handle the kids Saturday while you do your thing, you’ve got them Sunday morning while I play. Whatever works for your situation.

The point is reciprocity. You’re not just taking time for golf while everyone else waits around. You’re actively creating space for other people to do their thing too. This stops it feeling one-sided, which is usually what causes holiday golf arguments.

Play Where It Makes Sense

Holiday golf doesn’t have to mean premium courses with $200 green fees. Sometimes the local public course is perfectly fine and takes half the time to get to. Save the expensive bucket-list rounds for dedicated golf trips with mates.

What you’re really after is the experience of playing golf in a different place. New layouts, different conditions, maybe some decent weather. You don’t need championship courses to make it worthwhile.

That said, if you’re somewhere with genuinely special courses and you’ve done the groundwork to make it work with everyone’s schedules, go for it. Just make sure the cost is justified and you’re not blowing the holiday budget on green fees.

The Golf-Specific Trip Alternative

Sometimes the answer is separating golf holidays from family holidays. A long weekend with mates playing courses you’ve been wanting to try, versus a family beach trip where you might squeeze in one social round at the local course.

Both are valid. Both have their place. Trying to combine them often means neither is properly satisfying. You don’t get enough golf to justify calling it a golf trip, but you’re also not fully present for the family holiday.

I’ve started doing one golf-focused trip per year with regular playing partners—usually three days, four or five rounds, completely dedicated to just playing golf. Then family holidays are family holidays, maybe with one early morning round if it works out.

This approach costs more overall, but it also means less compromise and fewer arguments. Everyone knows what they’re signing up for with each trip.

Practicalities Matter

Don’t underestimate the logistics of holiday golf. Are you bringing clubs or hiring? If bringing, does that affect luggage limits? If hiring, have you booked them in advance or are you hoping for availability?

What about shoes, balls, gloves, all the other stuff? It’s surprisingly easy to turn up at a course and realize you’ve forgotten something essential. Make a checklist. I’m serious—write it down and check it before you leave.

Transport is another consideration. Is the course an easy drive from accommodation? Is there uber? Can you actually get there and back efficiently? I’ve wasted entire mornings navigating to courses that looked close on the map but were actually a nightmare to reach.

When Not to Golf

There are times when trying to fit golf into a holiday just isn’t worth it. Christmas Day is probably one of them unless everyone’s genuinely on board. Same with key family events or occasions you’ve specifically gone away for.

Read the room. If the holiday is clearly about something else—a milestone birthday, an anniversary trip, visiting relatives—golf can wait. Forcing it creates resentment, and honestly, it won’t even be enjoyable when you’re stressed about everything else.

Some holidays are golf holidays. Others aren’t. Being clear about which is which saves everyone grief.

The Solo Round Option

Playing as a single can actually work brilliantly on holiday. Course fits you in wherever, you join a group or fly around quickly on your own, minimal time commitment, no pressure.

Not all courses allow singles during peak times, but many do. Call ahead, explain you’re on holiday and flexible about timing, and they’ll often squeeze you in. You might end up playing with interesting people—I’ve had some great random partnerships this way.

The downside is it can feel a bit lonely, and if you’re traveling solo already, more solo time might not be what you want. But as a way to get a quick round in without major scheduling disruption, it’s worth considering.

Make It Memorable

If you do get golf time during a holiday, make the most of it. Take photos, pay attention to the course and conditions, enjoy the difference from your home club. Holiday rounds should feel special, not just like you’re ticking a box.

I played a coastal course last summer that wasn’t particularly hard or famous, but the views were spectacular and the weather was perfect. It’s one of my favorite golf memories, not because I shot well (I didn’t), but because I actually appreciated the experience.

That’s what holiday golf should be about—enjoying the game in a different setting, without the usual pressures or routines. If you’ve planned it properly and everyone’s happy, those rounds can be highlights of the entire trip.

And if you can’t make it work this holiday? There’s always next time. Golf isn’t going anywhere, and sometimes being present for family stuff matters more than getting in another round.

Just don’t tell anyone I said that.