The course of true love: One in every three golfers skips Valentine’s Day to play golf instead

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Does golf strengthen relationships or does it drive couples to divorce? Our survey uncovers the ways the sport shapes love lives

Til death do us part? It’s more like ‘Til the 18th hole do us part’ for some of NCG’s loyal readers. You’ve have not exactly been struck by Cupid’s arrow if the results of our special Valentine’s Day survey are any measure.

We wanted to get a feel how golf impacts relationships and so we turned to you to find out just how your favourite sport intertwines, or interferes, with your love life.

How does your partner feel about golf? Is the time you are spending on the golf course driving a wedge between you? Can golf bring couples closer together?

Who cares what anyone thinks about whether Rory McIlroy will ever win the Masters. These are the burning questions, and we’ve got the answers.

Who filled in the survey?

Good question, and we’re not sure whether these findings will influence what you’re about to read but the demographic which answered our questions was 94 per cent male and six per cent female. Read into that what you will when you’re cogitating some of the following…

Have you ever skipped Valentine’s Day to play a round of golf?

A quiet night in? A candlelit meal? Flowers and chocolates? Couples can spend Valentine’s Day in all kinds of romantic ways.

1 in 3 of you, though, have no time for any such nonsense. 34 per cent of you admitted you’d sacked off Valentine’s Day to get a round in, while a further 10 per cent simply ticked the box, ‘What’s Valentine’s Day?’

What Casanovas you are. That did leave just over half of you, 55.5 per cent, putting your partners over putting for one day. But it’s not exactly a glowing character reference for love’s young dream, is it?

Have you ever missed a date because of golf?

I grew up with the terrible fear that I was going to die old and alone. I’m not sure whether you’re just cocksure, arrogant, or confident in your ability to deal with relationships but a third of you – 33.4% – admitted you had missed a date because you were golfing. That’s just incredible. They could have been a keeper! Well, I hope you played to handicap at least.

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Valentine's Day

Does golf bring couples closer together?

Right, we’re at a low ebb here. But prepare to cuddle up and let out a big collective, ‘Awwwww’. When we asked whether golf had the power to strengthen relationships – even if knocking a Valentine’s Day meal on the head for a quick 18 must have the power to break them apart – you lot were far more optimistic.

Exactly 72 per cent of you agreed it can. You clearly just need to take your significant other with you when you head off to the club.

Do you argue with your partner about how much you play golf?

It’s almost a cliché this one. You can barely turn on social media without some influencer re-enacting a well-worn tale of one partner getting very cross about the number of times their ‘other half’ spends treading the fairways and greens.

But it’s largely untrue! At least that’s what you’re telling us. Nearly 80 per cent revealed that never a cross word is said from their partner about how much they play golf.

That does mean 1 in 5 of you are getting it in the neck. But that’s not really enough to stress out the average divorce lawyer.

How does your partner feel about golf?

It’s a tale of indifference, I’m afraid. You might not be arguing about it because they just don’t care enough.

If you’re trying to inspire your partner to pick up some clubs and join you on the links, it’s going to take a chunk of effort if this survey question is anything to go by.

Nearly 39 per cent of you said your partners just shrugged their shoulders. They’re not bothered at all about golf.

While just shy of 27 per cent said they thought it was OK, it’s not a ringing endorsement is it people? A quarter of you said your partners loved or liked golf, so that’s something, but two thirds just aren’t that into it. Maybe that really is the secret to a happy marriage…

Now have your say

What do you think of these Valentine’s Day golf survey results? Have you put off a romantic encounter to hit a few shots? Are you and your partner loved up on the golf course? Why not let us know by leaving a comment on X.

Main pic produced by ChatGPT

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About the author

Steve Carroll
Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

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