There is no avoiding it, sometimes the only way you can get some golf in is when no one else is available to golf.
You may have golf buddies who don’t want to play once or twice a week or maybe in a new town with no one to play with.
Golfing solo can be extremely relaxing, improve your game, and save up to 60-90 minutes per 9 holes!
Pros:
Cons:
Pros of Golfing Alone
1. PLAY AT YOUR OWN PACE
Feel like playing in 75-90 minutes?
Don’t feel like watching other golfers take 2 minutes to pull a club or take 5 minutes to read a putt just to misread the actual direction of the break?
Golfing by yourself is great if you are time restricted and want to get some quality time on the course.
The opposite is also true if no groups are behind you and you have unlimited time on your hands. Take your time and treat the golf course like your own personal driving range. Play 2 balls, hit several chips or putts of various lengths on every green, etc.
2. QUICKER ROUNDS (IF COURSE ISN’T BUSY)
With no one in front of you, playing 9 holes in 60-90 minutes should be no issue.
I would advise to try and get tee times first thing in the morning or be one of the last golfers out there playing as the sun sets.
These times usually support the most ideal conditions of the day (often the least wind).
3. GREAT WAY TO RELAX AND BE AT PEACE
There is nothing more relaxing and peaceful than golfing at sunrise or sunset.
Being alone on the course really frees your mind and lets you relax and enjoy the great outdoors! You can use the time on the course as meditation practice as well.
4. GREAT PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES FROM REAL LIFE SCENARIOS
Afraid to try a flop shot, 30 yard bunker shot, etc., in a real round? Need to get a bogey on the last hole to break 90 for the first time and always double it?
Now is the perfect time to practice those shots and scenarios, you could do one or several shots every hole if needed.
Hit several extra shots on every hole you know you need to get better at (half wedges for me!)
5. HELP SHARPEN GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT SKILLS
If you have a course you know well, this would be a great time to shave a stroke or two off your handicap.
Knowing which side to miss the green on depending on pin position or contours of the green can be the difference between an easy up and down or best case scenario of 15 feet left for par.
Practice one round trying to only play “smart” golf and not short siding yourself and see how much easier those up and downs become.
6. MORE TIME TO WORK ON YOUR GAME
Struggling with your half wedge or putts from 30+ feet? Feel free to practice this on every hole if there are no groups behind you.
An empty course becomes your personal driving range! Practice any weaknesses you have in your game.
7. Opportunity to Golf more (playing 18 vs 9)
Hectic work schedule and always busy with the kids? Golfing solo on an empty course will allow you to be as efficient with your time as possible while keeping your game sharp.
If you can’t find a babysitter, bring the kids along!
If you have babies or toddlers, there are several ways to golf with a stroller.
Just make sure to pack toys and snacks to keep the kids entertained for 9 holes. I would strongly advise against 18 holes, I’m usually lucky to get my young kids through 9 holes.
Most 9 hole rounds on a busy course take 2-2.5 hours (not to mention post-round drinks), golfing 18 holes solo on an open course ahead of you should take no longer than 2.5-3 hours, possibly 2 hours on a cart.
8. Great for introverts (no small talk needed)
Nervous about being paired with random strangers and having to make awkward small talk for a few hours? If so, golfing solo is a great option for you.
No need for any interactions besides yourself, the clubs, and muttering at yourself for that skulled wedge on 5!
9. Inspiration for Business or Personal Aspects in Life
“All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.” Friedrich Nietzche
Walking alone outdoors fires up the brain neurons and allows your mind to solve various problems you have in your life.
According to the CDC, walking in the moderate to vigorous range has benefits of improving sleep, memory, our ability to think, and also reduces anxiety symptoms.
10. Look for Golf Balls
If you have extra time and no groups are behind you, taking a quick stroll along the treeline, creek, or long grass can be a gold mine for golf balls.
Do this after a golf outing where people are often too lazy or too busy drinking to look for golf balls and you can find upwards of 10+ Pro V1s, Chrome Softs, etc.
This will pay for a portion or possibly all of your round!
11. Scores may improve
Like mentioned above, playing solo is an excellent opportunity to get some much needed practice in without feeling like the boring repetitiveness of hitting balls at the range.
Playing solo also takes the added pressure off of playing in front of friends or strangers, allowing you to feel more relaxed and playing more carefree golf.
Cons of Golfing Alone
1. Getting Stuck Behind or between Foursomes
If you’re trying to golf solo, I would strongly advise not golfing in the busy part of the day for this reason.
If the course is stacked full of foursomes, a 4.5 hour round can feel like 6 as a solo golfer because you will be waiting on every single shot.
This will also throw off your rhythm constantly waiting on the group in front of you.
Worse yet, if you have a foursome behind you, you won’t be able to throw extra balls down to practice because you will feel like you are holding them up.
Try to go during the less busy parts of the day to avoid this.
2. Can be Boring and Lonely for Some
For some golfers, golfing 9 or 18 holes without being able to talk to anyone sounds like a miserable experience.
If you are an extrovert and can’t imagine the thought of having to golf by yourself without any friendly conversation or banter, avoid playing solo.
3. Sometimes lose golf balls because there is no partner to help see it off the club
This will happen more frequently during sunset and sunrise as some holes play directly into the sun. Depending on your skill level, it could be 30 yards left of the fairway or 30 yards right.
I feel following the ball after you hit it is somewhat of an acquired skill. The more you play, the better you get at it.
4. Nerves of the shot after being allowed to play through
Feel those butterflies as the foursome in front of you waves you on to the next teebox?
You are not the only one, and my solution is simple.
Hyperfocus. Start your routine and be hyper focused on the shot you want to play.
Be completely in your own world for what type of shot you want to hit, what the conditions will do to the flight of the ball, etc.
You will barely even notice the foursome behind you as you hit a well executed shot!
5. Can’t submit score to USGA Handicap golfing solo
Not being able to submit a USGA Handicap will be a dealbreaker for some.
The thought of shooting a career low and not being able to record it in your handicap is frustrating.
Final Thoughts:
Would you agree that there are more pros than cons to golfing alone? I personally love the amount of time it saves me as well as the additional benefit of using it to practice on the parts of my game that need it most.
If you are on the fence between trying to golf by yourself or staying home, checkmark the points above or make your own list before making a final decision.
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