I go golfing with my husband but I never play; I love it for me and for us

Before I met and married my husband, I knew nothing about golf.

I had not been exposed to the sport growing up and only knew that it took a lot of time to play and that men who played it often could be almost obsessed with the sport.

My husband definitely falls into this category. He loves to play, watch and talk about golf, and his wardrobe consists mainly of various golf polo shirts.

Before he met me, he usually played golf two to three times a week. Now that we have two kids, it’s down to two to three times a month, but he still tries to play as much as he can.

Early in our relationship, I realized that the best way to win his heart was to learn more about the sport he loves. So I did. I still don’t feel like playing golf, but I enjoy spending time with him while he does.

It may sound boring to drive a golf cart for five hours without ever hitting a club, but I’ve learned a lot. It’s a great way to connect with my husband, and it also gives me time off from the kids.

I can count points and I can speak the jargon

I enjoy watching my husband play golf.

Elliott Harrell

Being a “golf wife” means I’m forced to watch tournaments every weekend, listen to golf podcasts on road trips, and hear him talk about how different rounds went.

I could choose to ignore all the information, but golf is such a big part of my husband’s life that it was important for me to learn more about it.

I learned some things on my own, like which players to back in tournaments, but my husband taught me other things.

He taught me how to use a scorecard to track his putts, fairway and green shots, and overall performance on each hole. I learned what birdies and pars were, how a handicap is calculated, how to play a sand trap or tree stand, and what a “breakfast ball” is.

It allows me to feel close to him, to be able to understand what’s going on and talk to him about it. And he appreciates that I’ve invested so much in golf. It’s another way for me to show him that I’m interested in him.

A day on the course is relaxing for me and it’s quality, fun time with my husband.

It’s nice that we can both get away from the kids for a bit on the golf course.

Elliott Harrell

Some golfing dads get a bad rap for having a hobby that takes them away from family duties for so long — it’s usually a four- to five-hour activity.

I don’t have a hobby that takes up so much of my time, but when I ride with my husband I also enjoy a long break from the kids.

Additionally, a golf course is usually a nice place to walk around. It’s a quiet, scenic place to stroll with a cocktail in hand.

Golf is a slow-paced game, so I always have plenty of time to relax if I’m keeping score for my husband. Other times, I sit next to him, read on my Kindle, and just look up when he takes a crucial swing.

Regardless, I leave the class feeling relaxed and with the feeling of having spent quality time with my husband.

We created wonderful memories together, like the time we dodged a baby alligator that wandered onto our course and experiencing my husband’s first under-par round as it unfolded.

I agreed to play golf and hit the course. Maybe one day I’ll try to play, but for now I’m content to just play.