RAD DAD: Zach Neal
Former pro ballplayer turned GolfDads founder, learning that the real game is time well spent.
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Gig: GolfDads CEO & Private Pitching Instructor
Kids: Two (ages 4 years and 8 months)
Dad Superpower: Finding rhythm between structure and joy
“I’ve Surrendered to Father Time”
After a career in professional baseball, Zach Neal knows a thing or two about focus. But since hanging up his cleats, he’s found a new arena that tests him even more — fatherhood.
“The hardest part of being a parent,” Zach says, “is managing your time efficiently. I’m around my kids a lot throughout the day, so organizing my time effectively helps with that.”
He laughs when he thinks about the transition from no kids to one — then from one to two. “That second jump was a big one,” he says. “The lack of sleep hits you hard at first, but it goes by fast. You’re through the hardest part before you even realize it.”
Time is a recurring theme for Zach. It’s both the challenge and the reward. “They grow so fast,” he says. “Time starts to take on a whole new meaning. It’s become so much more valuable.”
Enjoy the Ride
If there’s one message he wants new dads to hear, it’s this: enjoy it while it’s happening.
“I’ve tried to slow time down,” he says. “There’s no way to do it. I’ve surrendered to Father Time and decided to just enjoy each day for what it is — knowing it’ll never come back.”
He pauses, thoughtful.
“They’ll never be as little as they were the day before. You’ve got to cherish the small moments.”
That sense of awareness runs through everything Zach does. Whether he’s packing GolfDads orders, giving a pitching lesson, or just making coffee with his 8-month-old before the house wakes up, there’s a rhythm — equal parts hustle and gratitude.
A Day in the Life
“A typical dad day for me is pretty special,” he says. “I usually wake up with my 8-month-old around six. We hang out, make coffee, throw on MLB Rundown or a golf tournament from the night before. Sometimes we go out for coffee at our favorite spot in Fort Worth. Then breakfast with the family, take my daughter to school, drop off packages, and get to work.”
After that, it’s work, workouts, and more family time. “Reading bedtime stories is always the best part of the day,” he says.
Organization, for Zach, isn’t optional — it’s the backbone of being present. “Writing things down helps me clear mental space,” he says. “Time management, discipline, and organization are how I balance it all.”
Golf, Grit, and Good Music
When it’s time to reset, he heads for the course. “If I don’t get to work out or sweat, it throws me off,” he says. “Golf’s more than just an escape — it’s a physical and mental challenge, time in nature, and one of the best resets there is.”
He’s also a man who appreciates a good vibe. “If I could do nothing but play golf, fly fish, and listen to music, I’d be all set,” he says. “Throw on some Dead or Sturgill Simpson, make a good steak, maybe drive my ’72 FJ40 Land Cruiser on a cool Texas day. That’s heaven.”
Love in Motion
What’s his favorite part about having kids? “The love and affection,” Zach says without hesitation. “Showing them new things, taking them new places, traveling together. Watching the world through their eyes.”
It’s that combination — drive, gratitude, and a sense of wonder — that defines him.
Zach Neal isn’t just teaching his kids how to play the game. He’s teaching them how to enjoy the ride.
Follow Zach: @_golf_dads | @zach_neal_
