Add golf to your family’s tradition

If you’re a golfer, no day is exempt from this game we love, including Christmas Day. And if your whole family is into golf, why not include it in the day’s festivities?

No one is saying, of course, you should eschew the real meaning of Christmas — however you and your family observe it — but if you’re looking for a fun family activity on Christmas Day, there’s no reason why golf can’t be a part of it.

Of course, the ultimate golf activity would be to play golf, and yes, there certainly are some courses you can play on Dec. 25, weather permitting (check your local area for times and availability). For example, in the Myrtle Beach, S.C. area (where a half dozen golf courses are open), you could play Myrtlewood Golf Club. Myrtlewood, including the golf shop and restaurant, isn't technically open on Christmas, but the gates are left open and the courses there are available for free for anyone who wants to walk. It’s been a holiday tradition there for more than 30 years.

“It’s our way of saying thank you and Merry Christmas,” says Kurtis McGinniss, one of the assistant PGA Professionals at the club.

By the way, the temperature is expected to be in the low 60s on Myrtle Beach on Christmas Day, and it will be even warmer in Houston (mid-70s), where golfers can play munis Sharpstown or Memorial in the morning. The newly renovated Memorial Park (site of the 2020 Houston Open), has been a really difficult tee time to get, so the Christmas Day 8 a.m. shotgun represents a great opportunity (times can be booked three days out online starting at 6 a.m.). If you want to hit the new clubs you got for Christmas, the range there will be open all morning, too.

Speaking of ranges, TopGolf and Drive Shack locations around the country aren’t open on Christmas Day, but if you want to check them out on Christmas Eve (limited hours), that’s a great family option, too.

And finally, you don’t have to go to a golf course to find a golf activity. You could gather in your own backyard or basement, for example for a fun game of “Chippo." A combination of golf chipping/pitching and Cornhole (available on Amazon for one-day prime shipping), it's a great way to test and sharpen your short game skills.

Or you could involve the family in a game of GOLO, a dice game that simulates golf scoring. You can play GOLO, created by California PGA Professional Patrick Shea, anywhere. Best of all it’s fun, and everyone in the family is a scratch GOLO player.

Wherever your golf journey is heading, let’s get you there. There are nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals ready to help. Find yours at pga.com/journeys.