Where/how did you meet your golfing buddies/group?

[ianbrown1019]

I am still pretty young, being in my second year of college and the last thing that I would have foreseen being a problem is who I play my weekend, and hopefully weekday golf with. My usual group of 4, since my High School graduation a few years ago, has disbanded as two have moved away to live in the town where they go to school and the other has an internship for the summer in another city. Myself working my usual summer job and preparing for my collegiate sports season (not golf) in the fall, finding someone to play golf with is a struggle. I usually play as a single and hope that they put me with someone as I do enjoy meeting new people. But, usually I get paired with a good few guys who are 10-15 years my senior and I never see them again. So, my question for everyone, and stories are always welcome, where/how did you meet your golfing buddies/group? I'd be interested to hear any responses and here is to hopefully finding a good group to play with in the coming months!

[that0neguy]

I'm 26 and met my golf bud at my first job out of college. There aren't many millennials that seem to play --- I can count on one hand guys my age and younger that I'm friends with that golf regularly.

[ianbrown1019]

[quote name='that0neguy' timestamp='1436804913' post='11939490']
I'm 26 and met my golf bud at my first job out of college. There aren't many millennials that seem to play --- I can count on one hand guys my age and younger that I'm friends with that golf regularly.
[/quote]
I definitely understand where you are coming from! It is hard enough to find someone to play with and another to find someone who plays at your level as well.

[Allfat]

My typical foursome is my roommate that I had in college, his younger brother, and a co-worker of his brother. I am 28 and we have started golfing quite a bit last year and this year (not very much by wrx standards, but 1-2 times a month we try to get out). I kind of like to get out as a single and join up with some randoms, or even play alone. I played Saturday twilight and joined 3 others. One was from my alma mater and the other two from another school, so we had kind of a 2-on-2 rivalry going on. They were all at least 15 years my senior, but I enjoyed playing with them.

[AC^]

At work, and fellow fathers of young children in my social circle. I've been lucky enough to find good groups with similar golf games to my own. Having young kids, it's nice to find guys in similar situations who don't mind having to wake up early for a 6am tee time. Trying to get some of my old college buddies to do that is like pulling teeth. Guys with young kids jump at the opportunity.

[Bama87]

Maybe ask the course if they have a reg that is interested in having a reg playing partner or let them know you would like to find a group to start up with? Maybe they could help you get pointed in the right direction. I'd be interested to hear if anyone's group started out that way.

[cardoustie]

I got lucky. Bunch of guys leave my club 10 years ago. So it opens up deals for transfers in from other local clubs. 20 new guys all came in at the same time from about 5 different clubs and now we are as thick as thieves.

I was randomly paired up with three of them on a men's night.

3 games per week

I only really golf with my twin

College golf team-mates are too far away

To your point on age. I think in our current core group of the 120 of our 350 male members .. there's maybe 5 to 8 guys guys under 40

[putts4bogey]

I met each of my group at the first tee.

[FAbb]

I too had a bit of a struggle transitioning from the guys I played golf with in high school every day, to being in the working world, where none of us lived near each other any more. I don't really have family or co-workers that golf either. I just played as a single for the most part, until I got involved with the first iteration of the MD/DC/VA golfers thread, over 5 years ago. Now I play with guys I met through that thread pretty much exclusively. Can find a game with at least one other person, at basically any time I want.

[SixtySomePing]

I've been playing for 50 years so I several different groups to pick from. My work group is where I have my league, and I've been there 16 years so I also have a lot golf friends from there. I have several friends from church that I play golf with. I still have old friends from 'way back when' that I get together with occasionally. My absolute favorite is my wife of 41 years who doesn't play golf but will go along with me on a Saturday afternoon for the walk. She has supported me in my golf game more than anyone in my life. I love it when the two of us can be together, and I don't even mind if she is looking at the frogs or turtles in the pond instead of my shots, it's OK, usually they are more interesting than my game

[MadGolfer76]

I don't play with anyone, unless I am asked or have no other choice. The only guys I regularly play with are my father (when visiting) and DriverWedge, who I have had exchanges with here on WRX. We like the same stuff, which is pretty rare for me.

[Hateto3Putt]

Join a league that fits your schedule, you'll have more connections than you would need.

[Grizz06]

Once or twice a year with my college buddies, and it is like pulling teeth and I always set everything up. It's worth it in the end.

A few times a year and a few trips with a good high school friend and a few of his pals I've becomes friends with. My favorite times but were always away from home.



However, the guys I play consistently with are all guys I met by joining a club; I knew absolutely nobody when I joined. We (now) all play in various places but I play at least once a week with some and pretty much always have a weekend invite.

[ChristopherMcDonald]

My first group was due to me working at the country club.

My second though was I got this job through a connection at my club, been here a year and a half now and love it.

I was dealing with some serious stomach issues (pre-ulcer condition, acid erosion, nasty stuff)

So I have to take a day off 2 weeks into getting my new job and go give blood at the hospital to see what's going on exactly. They told me briefly about the condition and told me to try to find something to do that relieves stress.

I immediately think golf, so I grab my clubs and head to my local par 3 course for an early evening round, starting about 6:15PM. Wouldn't you know it I run into 4 employees out there, none of which I really knew or knew golfed for that matter.

I have now been playing weekly (sometimes twice weekly) with this group for the last year and half.

The jokes about me ditching work to play golf have yet to stop haha.

[dreamdrive]

There are 2 types of golf leagues. The one set up, managed and advertised by the golf course. Then there are golf leagues that are independent and just choose that particular course. Go talk to the manager at your local course that you like and I pretty much can guarantee you they have a non-affiliated golf league that is looking for players.

Your profile says you are in St Louis: I know for a fact that Ballwin, Riverside, Ruth Park, Berry Hill and the Highlands at Forest Park all have those leagues. Once you get in the league you'll meet players you want to play with and coordinate directly. Most of those guys are playing multiple nights per week and might be looking for a 4th for a particular night.

[ianbrown1019]

[quote name='dreamdrive' timestamp='1436824172' post='11941768']
There are 2 types of golf leagues. The one set up, managed and advertised by the golf course. Then there are golf leagues that are independent and just choose that particular course. Go talk to the manager at your local course that you like and I pretty much can guarantee you they have a non-affiliated golf league that is looking for players.

Your profile says you are in St Louis: I know for a fact that Ballwin, Riverside, Ruth Park, Berry Hill and the Highlands at Forest Park all have those leagues. Once you get in the league you'll meet players you want to play with and coordinate directly. Most of those guys are playing multiple nights per week and might be looking for a 4th for a particular night.
[/quote]
Thanks for the reply, man! I'll have to check it out!

[Don W]

[quote name='Bama87' timestamp='1436811944' post='11940366']
Maybe ask the course if they have a reg that is interested in having a reg playing partner or let them know you would like to find a group to start up with? Maybe they could help you get pointed in the right direction. I'd be interested to hear if anyone's group started out that way.
[/quote]

this, moved five years ago and guys at the course hooked me up, after a couple rounds asked if was happy with the guys as there was another group that i could try if not

[Enfynet]

A combination of family, church, and work.

[bluejeeprubi]

I think it just takes time, I just moved to tampa this year and its slim pickings so far. Back in Jax area I had too many

[larrybud]

One is a buddy that I've known longest out of everyone, about 25 years. His dad and another guy owned a small company that I worked for. The extended group is his high school buddies.

Another group is from a couple of different golf leagues, and then I have the stragglers who I've met as a single playing golf and we exchange contact info.

Some people don't reach out, so you have to take the initiative!

[deadsolid...shank]

One of our ex pros was pretty good about trying to find you a game on men's day if you didn't have one. I had one instance in late fall where my group was not playing. He asked me to join the group he was playing with (I was the fifth player). Now two of those guys are in my regular group and we picked up a straggler from another group the same way to make our core group.

My other group of guys from the public course, I really can't remember how it came about, we've been playing together for close to 20 years and I consider those guys as my best friends, even though I don't play as often with them anymore.

[Mych]

Other dads and guys who I used to play softball with.

[llamont]

I met my (current) weekend group when I was playing [9 holes] as a walk-on a few years ago. Great bunch of folks so we kept it going!

[Thunderfist]

Got lucky. Began a new job and talking with new co worker. Next thing I know about 5 of us are playing each morning.

[Zjurich]

There's an app out called Golfmatch! I'm a brand ambassador in Atlanta and it's basically social networking for golfers while at the same time allowing you to set up matches with people near you! It's pretty awesome and the offer tons of sweepstakes too

[fore_life]

From here! If I don't play mid week as a single, then there's like a pool of 10 or more dudes I can reach out to from Wrx to play. Even if I play mid week I can usually find at least 1 from here to play with. Great resource and I've made some amazing friends from here, not just cool guys to play golf with

[tailslid1]

I joined a new club 6 years ago. I walked in, talked to the pro. Found out men's day is Tuesday's. So I take Tuesday afternoon off the next week. Walked into the clubhouse and asked the pro if any groups need a player. He directed me to a group of guys roughly my age and ability at the time. Been playing with the same dozen guys ever since. Met lots more over the years and now I have groups to play with any day I want to golf. My advice, ask the pro if he's been there a while. He will know which groups will welcome new guys and which won't. And better yet, which ones you want to stay away from.
Rick