Imagine this: You’re out on a sun-drenched course, the fairways stretching wide, and you glance over to see an NFL superstar and an NBA sharpshooter exchanging swings and laughs like it’s just another weekend hangout. Sounds like a crossover episode you didn’t know you needed, right? In a scene that could be straight out of a sports fan’s dream, the worlds of football, basketball, and celebrity collided in the most laid-back way.

And when you think about it, this isn’t your typical day at the course. Wynn’s 8AM Golf at LA blends celebrity swings with high-stakes banter. It’s where athletes and icons swap locker rooms for fairways before most people have even had their first cup of coffee. Last year’s roster stunned attendees, and this spring’s lineup topped it.

On April 20, Chandler Parsons posted an Instagram Story capturing Travis Kelce and Justin Timberlake trading flawless drives. One moment in particular stood out: After Jason Kelce nailed a shot, Parsons jokingly asked, “How bad is it?” Kelce, with a smirk, replied, “Real bad,” before both broke into laughter. It was a perfect glimpse of the camaraderie and playful spirit that make this annual gathering so special.

Two years after a career-ending car crash, Chandler Parsons found solace on the fairway. “I retired at 31 years old in a bad car accident. I had a lot of basketball to play, but I’m not one of those bitter old guys,” he reflected. “I love the game. I love still watching.” But golf? Golf offered him something more. “Golfing is the closest thing to the locker room—the camaraderie, the gambling, the [expletive] talking,” he shared. For him, the golf course has become a new arena for competition, social connection, and challenge, replacing the void left by basketball.

And beyond the game itself, Parsons argues golf offers retirees unmatched networking. “Every retired athlete should play golf. It’s the best networking and marketing,” he added, noting the doors golf opens for reconnecting with former teammates, other athletes, and even potential business partners. As he quipped, “If you’re available to play at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday, you did something right in life.” And clearly, Parsons has done just that—building relationships with the Kelce brothers, Timberlake, and other influential names along the way.

Now, it begs the question: Which other NBA legends have enjoyed their slice of paradise on the greens? Let’s take a look at how other retired NBA stars are filling their time.

Golf as a new pathway for former NBA stars