Summertime means pool parties, vacations, and golfing. Staying sober while golfing with friends can seem difficult, but if you prepare ahead it’s possible. Often people are on vacation during the summer when they want to golf. And the days are longer, so it’s possible to golf later in the evenings. But it’s important to stick to your goals of sobriety even on the links. One way to do this is, to be honest with your golfing buddies about your desire to quit. You can also bring along non-alcoholic beers so you can have the feel of a beer bottle in your hands. Resist peer pressure if they start asking you to join in on the drinking. And finally, remember that you can walk away if you need to. Hopefully, you’ll be able to enjoy some golfing this summer without sacrificing your goals of sobriety.
Staying Sober While Golfing with Friends: Resisting Temptation
Be Honest with Your Friends
If you’re a frequent golfer, you probably already have a set of established golf buddies. This might be a group that frequently drinks on the course. If this is the case for you, it can be hard to imagine staying sober while golfing with them. However, if you have an honest conversation you might be surprised. If they’re good friends they should support you and want you to get healthy. Hopefully, they’ll support you in your goals and tone down the drinking. Or at least not ask you to join in.
Bring A Replacement
Another way to help you with staying sober while golfing is to bring along a non-alcoholic replacement drink. Many people find that the feeling of a beer bottle or wine glass in their hands is something they miss when they get sober. There are plenty of options for non-alcoholic beers on the market that come in the same shape of bottles as beer. Your friends may not even notice if you bring along non-alcoholic beer instead of traditional brews.
Resist Peer Pressure
If you’re planning on staying sober while golfing with friends, you might need to prepare yourself for some peer pressure. People drinking are famous for wanting everybody around them to join in the drinking. If you aren’t comfortable with explaining your desire to quit drinking, you’ll need to prepare some reasons as to why you aren’t joining in. If you know in advance that you might be facing some peer pressure to drink, hopefully, you can resist it more easily.
Know You Can Leave
Finally, staying sober while golfing with friends can be incredibly hard. Don’t forget that you can leave at any time. Sure, your friends might be a little annoyed for a while, but they’ll get over it. No round of golf is more important than your sobriety. Just know that if they are peer pressuring you, or if the urge to drink is getting overwhelming, you are allowed to call it quits and go home. Keep your eyes on the bigger goal of living a sober life.
Staying sober while golfing with friends can be hard. And in the summer there are so many more opportunities to golf. However, if you keep your focus on your goals of sobriety, you can manage it. If you are comfortable, have a frank conversation with your golfing buddies. Let them know you’re trying to quit. They may surprise you with how supportive they are. You can bring along non-alcoholic alternatives to beer. In addition, prepare in advance for some peer pressure to join in on the drinking. But remember that if at any time you start feeling overwhelmed, you can leave. Your sobriety is much more important than any round of golf.
