Opportunity cost:
“The loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen.”

Short thread on my love of golf & the opportunity cost around giving it up the last 5 years.

This thread isn’t about golf ;)

12 years ago I got hooked on golf.

I played a few rounds with buddies,
hit a couple lucky shots & then wanted to play all the time!

I was a professional poker player at the time so I had the luxury of creating my own schedule

-bought new clubs
-lessons
-membership to a course

In one summer I went from shooting 120 a round to 80 regularly.

I was playing 18-36 holes a day 5-6 days week.

I was betting on almost every round with poker buddies.

-being outside with friends
-competing
-gambling

I even made two hole-in-ones in one summer!!

I continued to play golf the next 5-6 years & enjoy it.

Then, the greatest thing happened :)

My princess was born.
I was a dad!!

At the same time, online poker had become illegal in the states so I took a real job & went back to college full time.

Dad life
Full time work & moving up quickly in my company (Chase bank then)
4.0 GPA finishing college

It left little time for golf.

One Saturday afternoon I decided to go play a round with friends.
My 1st round in a while, I was pumped :)

I used to whoop the guys I was playing with & have to spot them shots...

This round wasn’t like that :)

By the 8th hole my stats were:
+21
70 swear words
1 broken in half club

I actually got so frustrated on hole 14 I quit :(

Driving home I formulated a plan.

I would
-Take lessons
-Buy new clubs
-Get a membership
-Get good again!

Here’s the thing though....

At this time in my life:
I had gotten out of shape, the dreaded dad bod.
Was managing a bank, a job I knew I didn’t want to do forever.
Not in a good marriage.

I recall really thinking this over that night.
I journaled one of the first times ever.
Pros of golfing:
Cons of golfing:

I weighed the opportunity cost against my goals.

The next day I sold my clubs.
I told my wife I wouldn’t golf again until the day I quit managing a bank.

Every time I golfed I had fun.
But it cost me:
-50 bucks
-4 hours away from family or side hustles (my bigger mission)

I set a goal to be the best dad & husband, get in shape & retire young from banking.
The goal was be out in 12 years.

Golf didn’t align with that mission.

I haven’t golfed one time in 5 years.

I am 6 years ahead of schedule of being able to semi-retire from full time 9-5 work.

My marriage is better than the honeymoon

Giving up golf led me to view the opportunity cost in everything.

We gave up Netflix & TV 13 months ago.

This thread isn’t about golf being bad.
I love the sport & will play again when I’m financially free soon!

It’s about realizing there’s an opportunity cost in everything you do!

You can only WIN at so many things.
When you are spread too thin you become mediocre at everything.

In order to
be the greatest dad & husband
have an on fire marriage
get fit
retire early to pursue my passions I had to make hard sacrifices!!

golf
porn
skiing
Netflix & TV
booze & bars
sleeping in late

That’s what it cost me.
That’s what I gave up to WIN!

I’m certain my path won’t look exactly like yours.

But I see too many people going through the motions not ever pausing to think,

WHAT DO I REALLY WANT TO WIN AT IN MY LIFE?!
WHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY COST?
AM I WILLING TO PAY IT?

I took a hard look, & I’m so glad I did!

So what is it for you?

Have you sat down & clearly defined your mission & goals?
Or do you wake up & float aimlessly letting the day & life run you?

What needs to go in order for the world to get the best you?

Where is the opportunity cost just too high for you to excel?