Golf trips as a single?

[jvincent]

@Chanceman breaking up the trip from Vancouver isn't a bad idea.
Fun fact, flying from Vancouver to Portland and then driving to Bandon probably ends up being about the same time door to door as driving.

[darrensgolf]

This is a great thread. I'm in the same boat, I cannot find friends to go on golf trips with. Most cannot afford it while the others wives will not allow them to go away for 3 days.

Normally I end up paying for a friend to go with every year, using all my points so I have someone to go with. Being from Windsor Canada area, in the last 3 years I have been to Scottsdale twice and Myrtle once.

My biggest jealousy in golf life is groups who do big trips every year. I would love to join a group to go on golf trips or have a newly formed "our friends can't do it" trip and have numerous people meet up somewhere to golf. I'd love to go to Bandon. Sand Valley. I did Cabot this year as a single.

Lots of good comments in this thread.

[jvincent]

The nice thing about going as a single is that you only need to debate with yourself on itinerary, 36/day or not, etc.

The smaller the group the easier it is to coordinate. I have a buddy who I usually go on one trip a year with. Since my kids are both out of the house and I have a lot more freedom schedule wise I usually also take a couple of solo trips each year as well whenever I want.

As an example, a couple of years ago we had a late snowfall on a Monday/Tuesday and I said F-it and booked a trip for that weekend and flew out on Thursday.

[Chanceman]

Thanks JV but having just spent 16 hours in a plane crossing the Pacific, I will not be wanting more air time - the open road will suit me fine. Its only 12 hours driving time from YVR to Bandon but it could take me 3 days with plenty of good golf on the way. Darrensgolf maybe you can come along? Meet me in Vancouver!

[SBH9458]

Great thread here guys. Inspires some thoughts for the next few years!

[Phireside]

Keep me in mind for that Bandon road trip out of Vancouver. I've been mulling the drive down for a while now.

[Chanceman]

Looks like we got us a convoy!

[ascottwaddell]

I've done Pebble, Bandon and Streamsong this way.

All were great trips. Particularly if you are trying to get 36 in.

[Malones19]

I could be persuaded into joining the convoy!! Always looking for a reason to get back to Bandon.

[Z1ggy16]

I'm playing Streamsong this weekend as a single. I'm flying in to Orlando and doing somethings there on Fri/Sat, and staying in local hotels. Sunday morning I'll be making the drive down, playing the Blue then hopefully all or most of the Red, then driving back up to Orlando and heading home (NJ).

[vallygolf]

I dont mind joining a group or playing alone when I travel as a single. My last experience at Pebble is one for the ages though. 3rd group off. I got paired with three very nice gentlemen from Hong Kong. All three were probably 30+ Hcps. By hole 3 the head marshall from the proshop was following us as we were already two holes out of position. (I saw the group leaving #3 as I was arriving at my tee shot on #2). I was raking bunkers, spotting balls basically helping speed things up any way I could, as they only had a forecaddie, and I have played pebble enough to enjoy it without a caddie. On the third green the Marshall invites me to play ahead on my own. I was walking and carrying so I hoofed it to #4 and played the remainder of Pebble beach solo in a four hole cushion between groups. With perfect weather it is a round not to be forgotten. Teeing off from multiple tees (including some historic ones not currently in use), playing various shots into most holes, and finding wonky putts I have seen at the AT&T to try (above the hole on 11). One anecdote of a bucket list playing experience happening solo.

[puttnforthe8]

Going to Kiawah and Sea Pines in 1 month for at least 7 rounds on my own.

[CanadaCal]

Great thread, would be fun if we could get a "singles" trip going on here for 2020/2021...

I'm in the same boat. No serious guys who are okay spending decent $ and vacation time on a golf trip.

 

The November Kiawah deal is pretty good for singles to take advantage of. Maybe 2020...

 

 

[Toughpar4]

Keep us posted, I've never been to Streamsong and althought Links style doesn't appeal to me much I'm interested to hear your experience! I've done solo trips to Orlando before for golf as I have found myself in the same boat - tough to get golf buddies out committing to the time and expense and then there's the headache of aligning schedules.

[Z1ggy16]

I only really have 2 golfing buddies and 1 of them has 2 kids, the other is usually really busy. Can be tough to find friends to tag along. All my golf trips have been solo so far.

[puttnforthe8]

Agreed. I personally would like to do either N Mich, Pinehurst or RTJ. I'd be willing to make an attempt at getting some packages scoped and then throwing them out there for a peak.

[CanadaCal]

N Michigan might be of interest. Pinehurst I’m planning to take my Dad at some point, but would also be interested in an off season weekend.

[Schley]

Chance if I'm back in the US at that time I'll host you in Chicago somewhere. Let me know dates via pm.

[stevopagolf]

I did Myrtle Beach in November. Paired it with Villanova basketball games as they were in town for pre Thanksgiving day tournament. Had a great time. Picked the courses I wanted to play. Got paired with some nice folks. Easier sometimes when your a single. Unless everyone is in the same economic situation sometimes groups get a little more difficult as everyone's budget is different.

[TimK1]

Why don't guys on here arrange to meet up? Seems there is enough guys that have buddies who don't wanna come or back out of things.

I get in my car and drive around the east coast SC. GA, or FLA. for two weeks and just find places to play. I have met some great guys by myself. It seems easier to me to just show up at places. Most courses can hook single players up pretty easy.

[golftherapy02]

Thanks for all the great info guys, looking at a solo trip and will definitely take this into consideration

[gacman04]

This was a great thread. Glad to see that others have had similar difficulties planning golf trips and having friends backing out. Recently had 2 friends back out of a trip to Ballyneal, dang you COVID. I have been reluctant to play as a single but am encouraged by others' positive experiences.

[golfwb]

when are you going to ballyneal?

[lagacea]

All of my travel golf has been as a single. I've been paired up a few times, and left as a single sometimes as well. I've yet to do a specific golf vacation, but rather a round or 2 is a byproduct of the vacation, and my family are not golfers. With that said I think I prefer being paired with others, and have yet to have a bad experience, other than playing poorly myself.

[Jeffreywn]

I'll play Ballyneal with you if you can get us on

[golfwb]

I'm thinking the same thing. I'm going to be in CO starting June 15 and have never gotten to play there