How to Golf By Yourself

Intro

So, your usual foursome is busy this weekend, but you still have an itching to hit the links? To golf by yourself or stay at home is a decision we golf lovers have to occasionally face. In this blog post, I will share with you everything to know and consider when playing golf alone.

Planning Your Tee Time

The best time to golf by yourself is when the course is not busy. A busy time like Saturday morning will cause you to wait on every shot or get paired up with a random group.

Usually, twilight tee times after work or Saturday and Sunday evenings are great times to play golf by yourself.

If you’re unsure of the most optimal time, call the course you want to play in advance and ask when is the best day and time for a single to play. Some courses require singles to be paired with groups of two or three, so do your research before booking.

Establish a Goal Before Your Round

Think about what you want to accomplish during your solo round before arriving at the course. Do you want to work on certain areas of your game like bunker shots or bump-and-runs? Do you want to play by the rules 100% strictly? Do you want to play a two-ball scramble by yourself? Do you just want to enjoy some leisure time and relax? Playing by yourself gives you a unique freedom to play your game the way you want.

Be Mindful of Golf Etiquette on the Course

If you’re new to golf or someone who doesn’t know all the “Ins and Outs” when it comes to proper golf etiquette, brushing up on the rules before your round is a good idea. Even though you’re alone, having respect for the course, other groups, and the game itself is still important.

Here are a few rules of golf etiquette

• Show up at least 15 minutes before your tee time
• Wear proper golf attire
• Let groups play through if you’re holding them up
• Obey cart path rules
• Repair divots and ball marks
• Rake bunkers after hitting
• Yell “fore” if your ball is heading toward other players

Be Prepared to Play Through

Groups of two, three, and four players are most common on the golf course. 18 holes for a foursome usually takes around 4-5 hours. While a solo golfer can comfortably play 18 holes in half the time.

With your speed advantage, you’re likely to come across a group during your round.

Here are some things to keep in mind when playing through.

• Don’t hit into groups or do anything to make them feel rushed
• Allow the group the chance to ask you to play through
• If the group doesn’t ask, politely ask yourself
• After playing through, take your time and don’t put any added pressure on yourself

Take Your Time

It’s surprisingly easy to fly through a round of golf when playing by yourself. There’s no one else in your group to wait on or talk to. Golfers are used to being mindful of the pace of play. However, when playing a solo round, it helps to focus on the opposite. 

Go through your regular pre-swing routine. Take some additional time to think about your shot and how you want to execute it.

If you’re in a golf cart, drive slowly and take in your surroundings. 

Clean your balls at the tee box. Wipe off your clubs after each shot.

Listen to Music, Podcasts, Audio Books, or Nothing!

Be prepared for silence. Pure silence might be the toughest adjustment on the course when playing by yourself. When golfing with other players, a round is filled with banter, laughs, small talk, deep talk, and all the above.

If you’re someone who enjoys quiet time with yourself or wants to experience it, playing golf alone is the perfect opportunity. We are constantly surrounded by noise and some silence out in nature might be unexpectedly refreshing.

However, if the quietness of solo golf is uncomfortable or boring, bringing some headphones along with you doesn’t hurt! You can enjoy the background noise of music, audiobooks, or podcasts to heighten your solo experience. 

Start with Nine Holes

If you’ve never gone golfing by yourself, and don’t know what to expect, start with nine holes! Nine holes can go by really fast when playing alone and is a great test to see if you like it. 18 holes is certainly more of a commitment and that opportunity will be there if you decide to golf by yourself again.

Conclusion

You’ve got this! Don’t let the fear of golfing alone stop you from playing the game you love. Golfing by yourself is the perfect time to reflect and work on your game in a pressure-free setting. Take your time, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and have fun.