Playing extra ball as a single?

I was at a local 9 hole public course behind seemingly the only foursome on the course, and to avoid pushing them I played an extra ball on some holes to practice. No one was behind me and I still managed to play in 1:20. When I walked off the course, the gentleman working in the pro shop came out to inform me that playing an extra ball was not allowed and the pro told him to let me know not to do it anymore. Ironically, the pro was teeing off on the first hole as I walked off the 9th (right next to each other) and didn't say a word. I was disappointed first in the response, notably because the pro, who was right there, sent someone else out to do his bidding and also because of the general response to playing an extra ball. Anyone else have this happen to them and how would you respond?

Played a course recently as a single and the Marshall asked if i took advantage of being a single to hit some extra balls to not be affected by the pace. Told him I did on a few holes here and there but that the groups in front of me let me play thru so pace wasn’t bad at all. He was happy I played extra balls

Probably looking to get the extra green fee because you're playing twice as much.

> @sdedalus23 said:

> I was at a local 9 hole public course behind seemingly the only foursome on the course, and to avoid pushing them I played an extra ball on some holes to practice. No one was behind me and I still managed to play in 1:20. When I walked off the course, the gentleman working in the pro shop came out to inform me that playing an extra ball was not allowed and the pro told him to let me know not to do it anymore. Ironically, the pro was teeing off on the first hole as I walked off the 9th (right next to each other) and didn't say a word. I was disappointed first in the response, notably because the pro, who was right there, sent someone else out to do his bidding and also because of the general response to playing an extra ball. Anyone else have this happen to them and **how would you respond?**

I'd leave an Upper Decker in the bathroom.

But, really, I think that's a BS "policy" to have when the course is empty. It'd be one thing to stop people from playing multiple balls when you have people playing behind you, but when the course is empty, it seems like a dumb policy to have/enforce.

> @RayGorman said:

> Probably looking to get the extra green fee because you're playing twice as much.

Could be. But now they will lose all my future spending because of the way they went about this. I play at a bunch of different courses in the area and occasionally play an extra ball and have not had this problem. Also, when a course clearly states at check in that playing an extra ball is frowned upon, I gladly follow the rules. There is no such policy written or verbally communicated at this course.

> @Philomathesq said:

> > @sdedalus23 said:

> > I was at a local 9 hole public course behind seemingly the only foursome on the course, and to avoid pushing them I played an extra ball on some holes to practice. No one was behind me and I still managed to play in 1:20. When I walked off the course, the gentleman working in the pro shop came out to inform me that playing an extra ball was not allowed and the pro told him to let me know not to do it anymore. Ironically, the pro was teeing off on the first hole as I walked off the 9th (right next to each other) and didn't say a word. I was disappointed first in the response, notably because the pro, who was right there, sent someone else out to do his bidding and also because of the general response to playing an extra ball. Anyone else have this happen to them and **how would you respond?**

>

> I'd leave an Upper Decker in the bathroom.

>

> But, really, I think that's a BS "policy" to have when the course is empty. It'd be one thing to stop people from playing multiple balls when you have people playing behind you, but when the course is empty, it seems like a dumb policy to have/enforce.

I was disappointed more than anything. I'm looking for a friendly place to introduce my kids to the game and this will probably not be it.

> @GoGoErky said:

> Played a course recently as a single and the Marshall asked if i took advantage of being a single to hit some extra balls to not be affected by the pace. Told him I did on a few holes here and there but that the groups in front of me let me play thru so pace wasn’t bad at all. He was happy I played extra balls

That has been my experience in the past at just about every other course I've played. Most places go out of their way to get you to come back.

I play a ton of golf as a single and will always play a extra ball as long as I'm not slowing anyone else down. What happened to you was bs.

That was uncalled for calling you out like that. If you are not effecting the pace of play there should not be any issues. That "pro" is too up tight.

> @sdedalus23 said:

> I was at a local 9 hole public course behind seemingly the only foursome on the course, and to avoid pushing them I played an extra ball on some holes to practice. No one was behind me and I still managed to play in 1:20. When I walked off the course, the gentleman working in the pro shop came out to inform me that playing an extra ball was not allowed and the pro told him to let me know not to do it anymore. Ironically, the pro was teeing off on the first hole as I walked off the 9th (right next to each other) and didn't say a word. I was disappointed first in the response, notably because the pro, who was right there, sent someone else out to do his bidding and also because of the general response to playing an extra ball. Anyone else have this happen to them and how would you respond?

I would have told them that I had a medical condition that causes me to have very poor eyesight, and I was simply playing a provisional in case I couldn't find my ball. That, or I would just have told them to pound sand.

I would just say that I didn't play 2 balls and walk away.

local 9 hole?

I would have apologized, bowed, and slowly walked away backwards into the sun set.

If you're not slowing play a second ball should be fine.... tell the pro shop that you'll choose to spend your golf dollars elsewhere.

I get a membership at a local park district course ( 10 hole ) and these are the members rules

Always check in

Always start at number 1

only play 2 balls when the course is slow

They actually let you play 2 balls , jsut don't slow pace of play

many private courses have “no practice on the course” policy....public course probably worried about excess wear and tear. you could say you always repair all ball marks and replace all divots

I rarely play as a single, but when I do, the plan for me is to get some practice so I do end up playing a multiple balls. Usually that super twilight with no one behind or in front of me. I know I'm not going to get a full 18 in, so I usually plan to play around 6 holes since the course I play, its right by the 18th green.

I love to play an extra ball when playing by myself and practicing. I’ve never had a problem.

My favorite way to play is alone with multiple balls. I am very conscientious to repair all divots and ball marks when doing so. If Ranger Rick tells me to knock it off I would say “yes sir” and knock it off.....until he was out of sight.

I play with multiple balls all the time, when i play alone. When the course isn't busy, they didn't care a bit..

My course has a "head pro" that likes to delegate telling people what to do or not to do.Never doingit himself.

I'll play 2 balls if i'm on a Sunday afternoon twilight or an after work 9 during the week.

I try to play it by ear, if I feel I'm catching up to a group I may try to quicken and play through, but if there is space I'll play 2 balls and stay behind.

But yeah, to the OP, spend your money elsewhere... no need in your life for overzealousness, especially if you;re not affecting pace of play.

One of the greatest perks of playing alone is hitting an extra ball. I always play my first ball through till its holed out but will drop a second ball in various places. Trying something different or a difficult shot. Its one of the best places to get better.

I've never heard of this type of complaint. Every pro on earth practices by playing 2-ball/worst ball. They can hardly criticize anybody else for doing it.

I play single mostly now. In my younger years, I was told many times, no second ball. One time, I duffed a ball 20 feet off the first tee, teed another, and within a few seconds, the course owner's son gave me a tongue lashing. Needless to say, I never went back, and that was 25 years ago.

Personal experience has shown me that the public courses really don't welcome singles to begin with. Course management must feel the single is trying to get away with something or will hurt their precious cow pasture. I don't know about the present, but the singles have no rights rule was in effect when I was playing at the public courses.

I belong to an almost bankrupt club, and no one says anything about the second ball. If I hadn't joined a club 20+ years ago, I'd have given up golf. The private clubs have their pros and cons, though. In a private club, there's always chosen groups, which have the preferred weekend and holiday mornings, and everyone else need not apply. Currently, about 25 members are the "chosen", and a handful of other members. There were over 200 golfing members, when I joined, now about 30.

Usually, no one at the course, after the prime morning bunch play, so it works for me. I really hate the thought of playing public courses again, with all the Mickey Mouse bull.

I don't get the complaint. That shouldn't be an issue.

That golf course sounds really friendly and accommodating `< /sarcasm>`. I wouldn't spend another dime there if I were you.

I ranger/start at two courses and we would never do that. I encourage singles to play more than one ball when the course is full for one simple reason...I don't want singles playing through. When the course is empty and there are gaps, then a single playing through is totally fine (as long as the group in front allows it). But singles that attempt to play through on a fuller course just destroy the turn times. Each time someone plays through, it's 2-4 minutes of lost time on the turn. If a single plays through 3 groups, my turn times will be off by 6-12 minutes, and that is not acceptable.

Of course I greatly discourage singles and only let them go out if there is no one else ready at that tee time. Singles cause problems simply because they play so much faster (I had a single last Sunday do the front nine in one hour 11 minutes, but he was very quick and knew the rules of playing through, which means he didn't screw up our turn times).

So, anytime I see a single trapped out on the course, I'll tell them to play two balls as long as they keep pace with the group in front of them.

My Sunday group this past weekend were all on injured reserve, as no walk-ups showed up (715 am tee time) I played solo, 2 balls a whole, it was fun!

I've heard of this before and my mate was once 'told off' at another course. I still do it at my home club where I'm a full member because I figure that they wouldn't get any more fees out of me anyway. But I'm careful to avoid doing it where others can see in case someone takes umbrage.

I don't know how I'd respond but I'd probably just apologise. It's not like it would make much difference in the grand scheme of things. It might make me a bit more careful about doing it in the future but otherwise, whatever keeps the peace :)

Do I get to pay less when four people play foursomes?