One of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday morning is out on the golf course. It’s not about shooting the lowest score or chasing perfection—though I’d never complain about sinking a long putt. For me, golf is about slowing down, enjoying the game, and learning lessons along the way. What’s funny is that over the years, I’ve realized how much golf has in common with financial planning. The patience, the strategy, the discipline—they all translate directly to how we approach money.
The Importance of a Game Plan
Every round of golf starts before you even hit the first ball. You look at the course, you study the layout, and you think about how you’re going to play each hole. Do you go for distance on that long par five, or do you play it safe and aim for consistency?
Financial planning works the same way. Before you start investing, saving for retirement, or paying down debt, you need a plan. You have to understand your goals, the risks you’re willing to take, and the best path forward. Just like trying to “wing it” on a tough course usually leads to lost balls in the woods, winging it with your money often leads to frustration and setbacks.
Patience Pays Off
Ask anyone who golfs with me and they’ll tell you—I’m not the most patient player on the course. I’ve had my fair share of rushed swings that went sideways. But the truth is, golf teaches you patience whether you like it or not. You can’t force a great round. You have to take each shot as it comes, learn from mistakes, and keep your focus on the long game.
Investing is exactly the same. The stock market goes up and down. There will be days when it feels like everything is falling apart, and other days when it feels like you can’t lose. The key is remembering that wealth-building is a long game. You don’t win by chasing quick gains—you win by staying patient, disciplined, and committed to your plan.
Managing Risk Like a Smart Golfer
On the course, every hole comes with choices. You can try to clear the water with a risky drive, or you can lay up and play it safe. The best golfers know when to take a risk and when to hold back.
When it comes to finances, risk management is just as important. Not every dollar should be invested aggressively, and not every dollar should sit in cash. It’s about balance. Younger investors might lean into growth, while families approaching retirement need more stability. Just like in golf, the smartest players know that sometimes the safe shot puts you in the best position to succeed.
Learning to Bounce Back from a Bad Shot
One of the hardest lessons in golf is letting go of a bad shot. It’s easy to let frustration carry over to the next hole, and before you know it, you’ve unraveled your whole round.
Money works the same way. Maybe you made a bad investment. Maybe you overspent and set yourself back a few months. The key is not letting one mistake derail your entire plan. Learn from it, adjust, and move forward. In both golf and finances, the people who succeed aren’t the ones who never make mistakes—it’s the ones who recover quickly and stay focused on the bigger picture.
Consistency Beats Perfection
If you’ve ever played golf, you know that perfection is impossible. Even the best players in the world make bogeys. What matters more is consistency. Can you keep the ball in play? Can you make smart decisions hole after hole?
With financial planning, consistency is everything. Saving a little every month, contributing regularly to retirement accounts, sticking to your budget—those steady habits are far more powerful than one big lucky break. Over time, small consistent actions compound into big results, just like a series of solid shots leads to a good round.
Enjoying the Journey
At the end of the day, I play golf because I enjoy it. I enjoy the fresh air, the challenge, and the time spent with friends. Even on a rough round, I can still find joy in the game.
Financial planning should be the same way. It’s not just about hitting some number on a statement or checking boxes on a retirement plan. It’s about creating peace of mind, building memories with your family, and living with confidence. The money is just the tool—it’s the life you’re building that matters most.
Golf has a way of humbling you and teaching you at the same time. It reminds me that patience and strategy always win out over chasing quick fixes. It shows me that consistency beats perfection, and that setbacks don’t define you unless you let them.
The same lessons apply to finances. Whether you’re planning for retirement, saving for your kids’ education, or simply trying to get ahead, think of it like a round of golf. Have a plan, play smart, stay patient, and enjoy the journey.
Because just like walking off the course after a day of golf, the goal of financial planning isn’t perfection—it’s finishing with peace of mind and knowing you played the game well.