Overcoming the Fear of Playing Golf by Yourself

So, you’re friends are busy, and you have no one to golf with. It might be the weekend or the perfect weather, and you don’t want to waste an opportunity to golf. However, you’re nervous about the idea of playing alone. In this blog post, I’ll talk about the fear of golfing alone and how to overcome it.

Check out my post on How to Golf by Yourself!

Most Common Reasons Golfers are Nervous to Golf Alone

Social Anxiety

Arriving at the golf course alone, surrounded by groups of golfers, can cause social anxiety. Imagine showing up to a party alone filled with strangers. That could be scary for most people.

Although the golf course is open to the public and considered a safe space, showing up alone can feel uncomfortable.

How do you overcome the social anxiety? Focus on the golf! Don’t pay attention to other groups or worry about not knowing anyone. Grab your favorite refreshment from the clubhouse, clean your clubs, mark your balls, stretch, or practice putting. Heck, scroll on your phone for a few minutes to kill some time. 

Realizing that it’s perfectly okay to play golf by yourself and that no one will pay two seconds of attention to you is a freeing thought. You deserve to be there just as much as anyone else!

Performance Pressure in Front of Other Groups

When golfing alone, you will probably play through a group in front of you. Playing golf by yourself is much quicker than playing in a group of two, three, or four. 

When the time comes for you to tee up and hit your shot in front of another group, it can create pressure. This feeling is normal.

What will happen if you hit a banana slice? What if you top your drive? What if you miss the ball entirely? The short answer is nothing. Other golfers on the course are primarily only concerned with how they’re doing. They couldn’t care less if they see someone hit a bad shot because, trust me, they know the feeling.

It is a well-known fact that hitting a tee shot in front of another group can cause discomfort and nervousness. However, it is highly likely that the group you are hitting in front of has been in the same position as you and understands the tension you may be feeling.

If you screw up your tee shot, get in your cart, and hit your second shot. If your drive went out of bounds, drop a ball in the middle of the fairway and continue onward. Don’t rush, and take your time! The only pressure is that you put on yourself. The other group doesn’t care if you’re a PGA professional or an average hack. Move on and enjoy your round – it’s as simple as that!

Nervous to Get Paired Up with Randoms

As a solo golfer, there is a chance you’ll be paired up with another group, especially if the course is busy. Spending four hours with strangers isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

How do you best deal with getting paired up with another group on the golf course? First, politely shake all of their hands and introduce yourself. Smile and start the round with a friendly demeanor. You can engage in some small talk, such as chatting about the nice weather or, in some cases, treacherous weather. You can ask them if they’ve played the course before or how their golf season is going.

The beauty of it all is you can opt to talk or not talk to them as much as you like. Use your best judgment during the round. If they’re friendly and likable, feel free to engage with them. If they’re odd, focus on yourself and your goals for the round.

Personal Safety Concerns

For some, being alone can raise safety concerns. Even though 99.9% of people on the course are harmless, good people, there is always the possibility of a bad apple.

If you’re someone with health problems, being out there by yourself could be worrisome if something were to happen.

If safety is a concern, it’s best to take preventative measures to ease your mind.

Worried You’ll be Bored

Is golfing alone boring? For some, maybe. For most, not at all! If you’ve never golfed alone and you’re concerned you might get bored with no one to talk to, there’s only one way to find out!

Luckily, if you’re showing up to the golf course alone, you most likely have love and passion for the game. 

I bet you won’t be bored at all. I bet you’ll find a round of golf with just yourself to be a peaceful and positive experience. Golfing alone forces you to be more focused on your game. There will be plenty of mental stimuli to keep your mind occupied.

Tips for Overcoming the Fear of Golfing Alone

Start with 9 Holes

If you’re nervous about golfing alone, don’t commit to a full 18 holes right away. Starting with nine holes is a great way to “test the waters.” Nine holes will fly by in a hurry as a single golfer. Worst case scenario, you realize golfing alone isn’t for you, and you don’t have to do it again!

Don’t Play When the Course is Busy

Most of the anxiety when golfing alone comes when the course is busy, especially if it is your first time. Golfing alone on a packed course can lead to issues, such as being paired up with strangers or stuck behind slow players.

Golf courses are busiest on weekend mornings or after work on nice days, so try selecting a less busy time like weekend evenings, weekdays during the day, or when the weather is not the best.

Listen to Music, Audiobooks, or Podcasts During Your Round

If you ever feel bored or uncomfortable golfing alone, try bringing a pair of headphones!

I’ve golfed alone numerous times. Some days, I enjoy the peace and quiet. However, on other days, I enjoy listening to an audiobook or podcast during my round. When there’s no one to talk to, enjoying some of your favorite music, books, or podcasts is a fantastic alternative. 

Take Proper Safety Precautions

It never hurts to take minor safety precautions before your round to prioritize your safety. 

Safety Precautions to Consider when Playing Golf Alone

• Inform Someone: Let someone know where you’re playing and when you expect to return.
• Emergency Contact: Bring a fully charged cellphone in case of emergency.
• Course Awareness: Pay attention to your surroundings and other golfers.
• Hydration: Pack extra water.
• First Aid Kit: Bring a first aid kit in your golf bag in case of minor injuries.
• Weather Conditions: Check the weather before arriving at the course. Pack essential clothing materials to ensure you’re comfortable.
• Sun Protection: Apply plenty of sunscreen to prevent damage and burns from the sun. Wear a hat to protect your face.
• Lost Ball Protocol: Look out for poison ivy if searching for a lost ball in a wooded area.

Start with a Familiar Course

Picking a course you know well provides a sense of comfort, allowing you to navigate the layout with confidence. Being familiar with hazards, tee box locations, and the overall nuances can alleviate anxiety, allowing you to focus on your enjoyment of the game rather than the fear of the unknown.

Realize that No One Cares

All in all, other golfers aren’t concerned about you or that you’re by yourself. Most golfers are only concerned with themselves, specifically how they’re playing. Each player is too preoccupied with their own shot, strategy, or outcome.

Play a Two-Ball Scramble with Yourself

Playing a two-ball scramble with yourself can alleviate any nervousness you bring to the course. Knowing that if you screw up a shot, but have a chance to redeem yourself, can put less focus on score and outcome and more focus on honing your skills.

Plan Something Fun After Your Round

Plan something fun after your round, like going to the movies, picking up takeout, or any other comfortable hobbies you enjoy. Having something to look forward to directly after your round will help ease any anxiety of golfing alone.

Start with Chipping and Putting by Yourself

One good option to consider is to slowly build your confidence and comfort before playing a round by yourself. Instead of jumping right into playing alone, start with practicing chipping and putting at your local course by yourself first. This experience can give you a taste of what it feels like to be at the golf course alone and help you prepare for playing a full round on your own.

Is it Weird to Golf by Yourself?

Not at all! Golfing alone is neither weirder nor less weird than golfing with three of your best friends.

Golfing with your regular playing partners won’t always work out. There are a million reasons why your friends could be busy, but that shouldn’t stop you from heading to the golf course, even if that means playing alone.

Golfers who are passionate about the game will often find themselves playing alone. Being independent is far from weird. It’s one of the coolest things you can do!

How do you perceive those who play golf alone while you are out on the golf course? It’s unlikely you think of them as a “weird loner with no friends.” Instead, you probably appreciate their self-confidence and independence in spending time with themselves. Golfing alone or engaging in any hobby alone, in fact, shows an individual’s self-assurance and is far from weird or abnormal.

My Experience

This past season was my first time golfing by myself. I usually golf with a group of friends. However, there was a weekend when everyone else was busy, and I still wanted to play.

I was nervous about showing up to the course alone. I didn’t know if I was going to get paired up with another group if I would feel uncomfortable playing alone, or if I’d even enjoy the experience altogether.

I am pleased to report that my initial doubts were unfounded. I found playing golf solo to be quite enjoyable, and may even prefer it to playing in a group. I appreciated the peaceful and serene atmosphere, as well as the opportunity to focus solely on my game while walking amidst nature.

In the past, there have been plenty of times I’ve chosen to stay at home if I had no one to play with. This has since changed and I recommend every golfer give playing alone a shot.