Opinion & Analysis

The 10 best things about playing golf alone

Published

12 years ago

Apr 13, 2014

A rarity in sports, golf can be properly played and thoroughly enjoyed when utterly alone.

There is something alluring — romantic even — about heading to your local course and playing 18 holes by yourself. It’s a silent battle, just you and the course slugging it out away from prying eyes. It’s a chance to do things your way.

In praise of the solo round, here’s a list of the 10 best things about playing alone. Feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments section.

No. 1: Fast Play

Solitary golfers can play fast, because they aren’t forced to waste time watching someone else play.

As a single, there is no waiting for your playing partner to hit, no need to remain greenside while he or she putts out and certainly no protracted search for that ProV1 that was sliced into the woods.

If you’re alone, you can easily tear around the course in under 3 hours (as long as there’s no one ahead of you). Just hit your ball, find it and hit it again. It’s a beautiful thing.

No. 2: Choosing Your Own Rhythm

When playing in a group, the rhythm of your round is at the mercy of your playing partners. If they are constantly whiffing and shanking, it’s difficult to establish a consistent cadence in your own game. On the other hand, you might feel rushed if you’re hitting more shots than your partners on every hole.

Playing by yourself allows you control your rhythm. Each shot can be studied, hit and assessed in your own time. Better still, the time between shots is relatively uniform, because you‘re always away. This constant, steady tempo undoubtedly helps you focus your mind and shoot lower scores.

Smart solo players can also manipulate the momentum of their round. When you’re playing well, you can easily continue at your current pace. When you’re playing poorly, you can take an extra few minutes on the next tee, or even hit a couple of practice balls, o help reset the momentum of the round and get your game back on track.

No. 3: Practice Opportunities

The fast pace of solo golf — together with the absence of other people — provides the perfect opportunity for on-course practice. If you want to work on a particular shot, you can simply drop some extra balls and swing away.

By hitting real shots on a real course in real conditions, you’re engaging in valuable game-specific training which cannot be simulated at the range or anywhere else.

No. 4: Real Integrity

When you’re all alone on the golf course, you can theoretically cheat as much as you want. No one will ever know.

So when you do the right thing and play every ball as it lies, call penalties on yourself and refuse to give yourself that slippery three-footer, there’s a higher level of integrity involved. In short, you’ll be able to look in the mirror with pride, no matter what you score. Playing by the rules will help you become a better golfer too.

No. 5: No Temptation to Outdo, Impress or Emulate Partners

Let’s face it; we all love to hit the longest drive or shoot the lowest score in our group. Most golfers carry the macho man gene, which leads them to compete against other players rather than themselves or the course. While this instinct can be a good motivator, it can also lead to some poor decisions and wasted strokes.

Playing alone eliminates the desire to outdo, impress or emulate anyone else. You can stick to your own strategy without any temptation to match others. Your scorecard will thank you.

No. 6: Fewer Nerves

We’ve all encountered the dreaded first tee jitters: shaky hands, dry mouth, inability to tee your ball and a million conflicting swing thoughts.

If you think back to times of nervousness (or even fear) on the golf course, I’d wager every one of them occurred in the company of people whose approval or acceptance mattered to you. It’s simply human nature.

When there’s no one around to judge or evaluate you, you’ll generally be looser, freer and more relaxed. In this optimal state, you’re more likely to play well and get a glimpse of your potential as a golfer.

No. 7: Play Your Way

It’s often awkward when you want to play from a certain set of tees, but a playing partner wants to play from another. Either someone yields and ends up playing from tees that don’t match their ability, or the players use separate tees and chaos ensues as everyone tries to decide who should have the honor.

The same principle applies when you want to ride but your buddy wants to walk, or vice-versa. Either someone caves and opts for a non-preferred mode of transport, or you both stick to your guns and play at wildly different paces for the entire round.

These dilemmas are completely avoided when you’re by yourself. Simply choose the tees you want, choose your preferred mode of transport and away you go.

No. 8: Spontaneity

Solo golfers are the masters of the spontaneous round. If you’re happy to play without company, you can head straight to the course whenever the mood strikes. No need to book tee times or work around anyone else’s schedule. Just go!

Once you’re on the course, you can go wherever your heart takes you. You’d prefer to play the back nine instead of the front? No problem. There’s a slow group on No. 6? You can skip ahead to No. 8 without having to seek anyone’s consent. You’re tired after 15 holes? Just walk in.

No. 9: Score However You Want

Some days you want to work on your game or just enjoy the experience of playing golf without worrying about the scorecard. Playing alone provides the ideal environment for doing just that. If you don’t want to think about shooting a number, you don’t have to.

If you must have competition or scorecard pressure, you’ve got plenty of options. You can score a traditional round of stroke play, or drop two balls and play one against the other, or perhaps use two or more balls for a round of best ball. The choice is yours.

No. 10: No Banal Banter

Playing on your own obviates the necessity to keep saying “nice shot” and, worse still, “hard luck.”

You don’t have to feign interest in your playing partner’s vacation plans, views on popular culture, marital woes or latest swing thought. You also don’t need to share your life story or engage in pointless small talk. You’re liberated to focus solely on whatever you want, whether that’s your swing, strategy, the scenery or whatever else floats your boat.

For some, golf will always be a social experience, where playing the game is equal or secondary to forming friendships with playing partners on the course or at the 19th hole. While the social side of golf is a definite drawcard, the benefits of playing alone should be considered too.

If you’ve never tried a solo round, get out there and have a go at the next opportunity. You might just discover a new passion.

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Michael Forster

Michael is an avid amateur golfer, playing off a handicap of 7, with a deep passion for the game. He splits his time between Australia and the United States. He is a member of the New South Wales Social Golf Tour, which conducts events on a variety of courses in and around Sydney, Australia.

26 Comments

Pingback: How To Play Golf Alone Step By Step Guideline – Chooserly
John James

Jul 6, 2018 at 12:44 pm

No 11 – Enjoy The Beauty! There is nothing like hitting a perfect drive, with a little draw, watching the ball fly against the mountains, sky and setting sun. This must what heaven is like!

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John James

Jul 6, 2018 at 12:40 pm

No 11 — Enjoy The Beauty! There is nothing like hitting a perfect drive, with a little draw, against the mountains, sky and setting sun — with nothing but silence all around you. It must be what heaven is like!

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Mazhar Hussain

Mar 19, 2016 at 7:08 am

Playing golf alone early in the morning with birds chirping and moist fresh air penetrating the lush green environment surrounding you is the best thing you can find yourself in. On each Tee I silently watch the fairway ahead and focus on the ball with peace and serenity of mind and attempt a rhythmic swing. When the ball flies like a bird in a straight parabola I feel joy and indescribable pleasure. Inner peace and serenity is what converts a golf swing into a killer blow thereby achieving distance and confidence required for the next shot. You always play against the par.

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Straightdriver235

Jul 3, 2014 at 10:32 pm

Golf should be a solitary game. Here’s to playing alone. If I do play with others, it better not be more than a twosome, anything more and it is drudgery. Indeed, I don’t think it is fair that many tour events send out players in threesomes on Thursday and Friday… It is quite possible some great player who can’t cope with more than one other partner just can’t play well enough to make the cuts, but could burn the course up once he got down to a twosome. It is true, the comments, if you are a tournament golfer, playing alone has its limits. You wouldn’t catch me dead in a foursome, maybe as often as I go to a wedding or a funeral… not very.

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wakit300

May 13, 2014 at 3:42 pm

Just saw this article and ummm are you trying to follow in the footsteps of Rolling Stone? Top 10 list should always count DOWN from 10 to 1. If you know what #1 is right away, why bother with the rest?

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Chris

Apr 23, 2014 at 4:38 pm

I play much of my golf solo. However, I consider most of those sessions to be practice. I believe that adjusting to the pressure of others, the pace with which they play, etc. to be an integral part of the game. While I find those solo sessions do help me improve more than a mindless session on the range, it still doesn’t compare to the pressure of playing with others. In short, I think solo rounds are the best way to improve, but the real test can only come when playing with others, when you can’t just put another ball down.

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Alex K.

Apr 16, 2014 at 10:48 pm

I’m fortunate enough to live and work close enough to my course that I frequently have a round on my own after work. I find it a great way to keep fit because (as mentioned in the article above), there are no/few hold ups and I can play as fast as I want. Another bonus (of sorts) is, without the pressure of competition (or others’ critical eyes), I find I can ‘let it all hang out’ with shot selection resulting is some (all modesty aside), spectacular shots which over time has left me with several 2-3ft eagle and double eagle putts. I guess all I need to do now is capture and retain that mindset and unleash it on comp day!

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- steve
  
  Jul 12, 2015 at 12:44 pm
  
  double eagle putts? What kind of course are you playing that you can have double eagle putts?
  
  Reply Report comment
erkr

Apr 16, 2014 at 2:03 am

In summertime I play on my childhood course alone at 6am. Its at the ocean. As I play the town wakes up and I watch people bike down on course for early swim. I go 18 holes and I’m back to have second breakfast with wife and kids.
I always keep score and no gimmies.

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ParHunter

Apr 15, 2014 at 4:15 pm

I like to play two balls when I play on my own, both with different shots, a high chip vs a bump and run etc.
another good one is reverse scramble, where you hit two drives but have to take the worse of the two.

The only problem is if you play on your own in between 3 or 4-balls. You either have to wait all the time (hence playing two balls) or you get asked to play through and that can make you feel rushed. I recently played through 6 groups in the course of 5 holes. It felt more like jogging than golf.

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Ryan

Apr 15, 2014 at 10:35 am

5 years ago I got to play a good bit of solo golf. I agree – some of the best “alone” time that can be had. I definitely improved as a player as well as enjoyed the solitude and the lack of “noise” created by playing partners. I can’t remember the last time I got to go around on my own. I wish I could occasionally still.

I think that is one of the best things about golf – I can go out alone, with friends, or be paired up with strangers and have a great time. There is something special about solo golf that I think most people aren’t aware of as they take having playing partners as a given. Great article!

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- Ryan
  
  Apr 15, 2014 at 10:39 am
  
  Forgot to mention my only hole-in-one was during a solo round. I was jumping for joy and not a soul around to see it. Most people think that’s a travesty but I think its wonderful and private memory I don’t have to share.
  
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  - billy
    
    Apr 16, 2014 at 2:08 pm
    
    I had 6 other eyes on mine and it was pretty special also…+ the memory is with them too and there is a little something special knowing they occasionally mention …”I was playing with a Guy once on a elevated par 3 and the ball hit center green then started toward the hole like it had eyes”
    
    I fear hitting that shot again alone…
    
    Reply Report comment
Audrey

Apr 13, 2014 at 12:33 am

Loved this article! As a woman golfer, I have found solo golf a wonderful way to work on my game and enjoy the beauty of the course. I have also found you can find courses’sweer spot’ where you can golf solo without being slowed down by golfers ahead.. I have found there are not alot if woman golfers……and on the flip side, while solo golfing I meet two other women who have become great golf companions. Whether with them or going solo, it’s always a good day out there!

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Jim

Apr 12, 2014 at 11:04 pm

This is my favorite way to play unless i play a round with my dad. Most people look at you funny if you say you play alone. Nothing like you the course and your clubs set to try to shoot your lowest round ever . Its like your own little get away if only for a few hours, escaping the every day hustle

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- corey
  
  Apr 13, 2014 at 12:18 am
  
  couldn’t agree more
  
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  - Dave
    
    Apr 15, 2014 at 11:37 pm
    
    +2
    
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Tom Duckworth

Apr 12, 2014 at 8:47 pm

Early morning just after the sun comes up…..best time of the day. I like seeing the dew on the greens just a few birds and the sound of the breeze the trees. You just dial into the rhythm of your swing. It’s the best I just can’t add anymore.

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Brian

Apr 12, 2014 at 10:47 am

I play over half my rounds solo just for the solitude. Sure if I’m invited to play, I happily oblige. It’s like reading a good book. Once you get into it, you can’t stop.

Nice article.

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paul

Apr 12, 2014 at 12:13 am

I play by myself all summer. Once a week, 9 holes, 6am, done by 7:20 and at work 5 minutes early.

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Double Mocha Man

Apr 11, 2014 at 7:50 pm

Good topic! I played today by myself and propped up my cellphone on my push cart… and watched the Masters! While sipping a tasty Italian sports drink. Life is good. Only the green jacket was missing.

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luke keefner

Apr 11, 2014 at 7:29 pm

Most of the guys I play with would never EVER consider going out to play alone but for some reason I crave it. Maybe I’m a little misanthropic but I’m usually at first irritated when I get paired up with someone. Fortunately I am usually surprised at how much I enjoy the company. But, still, I consider golf a solitary game for me unless my son is home. That is as good as it gets

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j.a.

Apr 11, 2014 at 7:18 pm

I have experienced all of this and being a high handicapper, in few words I can say, it’s the only way to play in peace.

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- Billy
  
  Apr 12, 2014 at 3:52 am
  
  amen!
  
  Reply Report comment
Dan

Apr 11, 2014 at 5:32 pm

You can plug in some headphones and listen to golf weekly or Metallica 🙂

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