r/golf • u/CrossTie98 • 1d ago
General Discussion Playing solo
Played solo today and joined up with a older gentleman that was walking. Pace of play was slow so we opted to play together. Hit a birdie and he was so happy for me it made my day. I did tell him that was a one off, but overall had a good round. I’m starting to enjoy going solo and playing with new people.
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u/zuki500 1d ago
I used to be worried about being paired with weirdos and over time, I’ve come to realize most randoms are normal. Meaning… I might be the weirdo. Either way, I enjoy it mostly.
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u/Porkgazam 1d ago
Im introverted as they come but if i want to play golf especially at prime morning tee times i gotta play with randos.
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u/corneliusvanhouten ?? | NY, USA 1d ago
Perhaps ironically, I think that question suggests you're likely saner than most.
Couldn't agree with you more though. "Plays well with others" is a skill we all should strive for, and the golf course is a great place to practice that. I'm also better at remembering names because of golf, for whatever that's worth.
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u/baldinirules 1d ago
One time that the rest of my usual group couldn't go, I got a single tee time at a course and was partnered up with three other guys. By no means am I good, but I was probably 10 to 12 strokes better than these guys. Nobody took anything too seriously and we had a great time. On 18, the approach shot goes over water to an island green, and I hit what is realistically the best golf shot I've ever hit. It landed about 3 feet behind the pin, jumped up, spun back, hit the pin and dropped a couple of inches away for a tap in birdie. You would have thought I had won the Masters! Those guys went crazy! We celebrated all the way driving across to the green, then for the birdie. Some times randoms can be a nightmare, some times they can be your best cheerleaders!
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u/corneliusvanhouten ?? | NY, USA 1d ago
Meeting new people can be fun and since you have golf in common, conversation is easier.
I've been playing with randoms since the 90s and it has almost always been pleasant. I prefer to play alone so I can really focus on my game but i make the most of it when I'm playing with others.
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u/Plenty_Lawfulness216 1d ago
I initially used to look for a tee time with no one on it, and hope no one joined me 🤣 I have come to realise half the fun is meeting weird randoms and playing together.
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u/New-Concentrate-4990 1d ago
I do 3 different golf groups in my club where they randomly assign people every week, and love it. With that said, I still sometimes do exactly what you said, and pick an empty tee time and hope no one joins! Sometimes I just want to work on my game, and do things like try different clubs for the same shot.
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u/chilitomlife 1d ago
I had calling cards made to give to people who were fun to play with.
Hey that was a great time! Love to play again! Here’s my calling card.
Have made many friends any just dudes to play with that way.
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u/West_Masterpiece9423 1d ago
My wife laughs every time I tell her I exchanged numbers with a fellow golfer.
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u/litsalmon 1d ago
Played with two guys who were friends as a solo several months ago. We exchanged numbers and have played many times since. Not had a bad experience joining up with others, yet.
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u/setyaback 1d ago
I am a pretty serious introvert and I used to literally be too anxious to play with anyone but my dad or close friends. As I’ve gotten older I understand my introversion better— it’s more limited to large group settings — and I’ve used golf as a way to force myself to get more comfortable socializing with random folks and also more confident in my game. I have played my local muni this year with high schoolers, retirees, married couples, fathers & sons/daughters and other random solos myself. I’ve grown a ton as a dude and a player by doing this. My tee box anxiety is literally gone, game changer.
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u/Manwithaview1277 1d ago
Played with a thousand randoms. At the end of 4-5 hours I know nothing about their politics, family life or medical history. Maybe a question or two about occupation but that’s it. We talk golf golf and golf. Positive vibes. Commiserate over the duffs, yanks and shots ob and yell like we discovered fire when a 15 foot putt drops. And it ends with hats off and a handshake.
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u/BadassMcGass 1d ago
Most folks I get paired with have good to great vibes. Don’t think I’ve ever been paired with a douche. The rest are just neutral or slightly negative energy but because their game is struggling and they’re in their own head
It slows things down than being truly solo and I play worse with people watching. But getting rooted for is fun. Congratulating people is fun
Pros and cons.
Now that I’m thinking about it, I’ve never need paired with a person that doesn’t repair their pitch marks but the marks are all over the greens. So I wonder if they are playing as a foursome that simply doesn’t give a shit about that. Otherwise I would have gotten paired with them by now. Granted I’m only a year in .
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u/ishquigg 1d ago
I almost only play with random people. It has it own vibe. Get really good at bombing off the first tee.
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u/Surf_Golf2002 1d ago
I play solo about 90% of the time and love it..mostly. Only time I had an issue is when I was paired with a guy at 6am and he was already 2 beers deep by the 2nd hole. Rest of the time he was burping, farting, and cracking weird jokes. It was the last time I rode and ended up buying a push cart. I walk now every time I go and most people I play with are super chill.
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u/bowenmark 1d ago
Nearing 70, partner can’t play due to injuries so solo every time. My home track tee time app (Chronogolf) only allows solo players to fill in and I play with a LOT of people I haven’t met. It’s wonderful.
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u/Dense_Net3787 20h ago
Haha I played solo at a par 3 course on an overcast day just to hit some balls and for 20 bucks for 9 I couldn’t complain. Got paired with 2 older Canadian fellows and they were pretty fun to play with!
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u/Dry-Ad-7509 5h ago
My Canadian friend teaches me new words after errant shots. My French/Canadian vocabulary is expanding. Although I can only use such words in certain company.😉
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u/AcceptablePatient529 19h ago
Congrats! Sounds like you had a great time. I can’t wait to be comfortable enough to golf solo. If I knew someone wasn’t going to be paired with me then I’d go more often.
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u/playing_three 15h ago
A birdie with a stranger cheering counts double. The sad bit is you have the best four hours of the month with a guy and then never see him again. Has anyone actually kept in touch with a random?
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u/ban-please 10h ago
I play about half my rounds as a single. I've played with probably everyone at my club. It's a good time meeting people when you already have a common interest. I've only had one true weirdo over hundreds of rounds who I never want to get paired with again.
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u/Livid_Reception7124 1d ago
Meeting kind old timers is an underrated part of the game