Wayne Gretzky's Competing Vicariously Through Dustin Johnson

Wayne Gretzky says he only has one way to relive the glory of his playing days ... through the golf career of his soon-to-be son-in-law PGA star Dustin Johnson.

Wayne sat down with Graham Bensinger and opened up about how hard it is to be away from the sports world ... and how watching Paulina's baby daddy compete is his only way to get that same thrill.

"I never thought -- once I retired -- that I would have the same sense or the same feeling, going into tournaments that you are pulling so badly and wanting somebody to win so desperately."

There's more ... Wayne also talks about the dumbest decision he ever made in life ... which he says was turning down a guaranteed $1 million bucks to CONSIDER not retiring.

You read that right ... just to think about it. Check out the clip, and yeah, Wayne ... that was dumb, bro.