Playing as a Single

[RSinSG]

All of my golf is with others. I’m a member of 2 men’s leagues and work at another course where I often hook up with others. For as long back as I can remember (and I’m a geezer) I think I’ve gone out as a single <10 times. 
 

For the last two summers we’ve been staying in a 5th wheel we set up on my sons 25 acres in Orofino, ID so we can escape the heat, help my son with projects and be close to grandkids. There is a 9 hole course nearby that is rural, but beautiful and a good challenge due to the setup. Downside is the pro shop doesn’t open until 8:00 which makes walking tough in the summer.  I recently learned they don’t care what time walkers start as long as you pay after your round. I now tee off at 6:45 or so and enjoy a peaceful walk in a beautiful setting. I play against myself hitting two balls for the entire round, have the course to myself and only see the occasional grounds worker. I do see lots of deer which adds to the walk. I’ll be back to my normal league play soon, but for now I’m enjoying the solitude.

[caniac6]

Great start to the day.

[8602081]

I agree..

[Shane Cavitt]

Sounds ideal to me!

[Wooley12]

Liv'n your dream. 

[WilderMan]

Played that course last year, it is a gem.  Tough walk even before it gets hot out.  First time out was brutal not knowing where the green was on half the holes.

[RSinSG]

2 hours ago, WilderMan said:

Played that course last year, it is a gem.  Tough walk even before it gets hot out.  First time out was brutal not knowing where the green was on half the holes.

Yes. I played it once last year, not keeping score as I had no idea where to hit. This year I hooked up with a local twosome and they told me where to hit tee tee shots to have the best approach in. Made it much better.

 

I get out once a week and would probably play more but I spend a lot of time on the Dworshak reservoir looking for Kokanee or on the Clearwater looking for some salmon.

[Moonlightgrm]

I play ~160 rounds each year and half of them are as a single. I truly enjoy the tranquility of playing alone on an almost empty golf course.

[SollyinGA]

I enjoy playing alone myself, but I rarely get the opportunity to do so at my current club. It’s too busy and singles are always paired up with someone.

[jordan2240]

I only get to play as a single when the weather turns cold and fewer people are out, but I always enjoy it.  

[bolido_sentimental]

I decided to get a tee time at a local course on Saturday, which was a somewhat rainy day. This was the parking lot, at 1:00 PM - I didn't meet a soul, and somehow I actually didn't get rained on myself. Great fortune. I wish my score had been equally good...

Edited July 17, 2023 by bolido_sentimental

[596]

I play 4 days each week, all year.  At least 2 if not 3 of those days are all alone.  I love walking the course by myself.  I was in public service for 40 years.  I really don't want to talk to people anymore. 😊

[RSinSG]

2 hours ago, 596 said:

I play 4 days each week, all year.  At least 2 if not 3 of those days are all alone.  I love walking the course by myself.  I was in public service for 40 years.  I really don't want to talk to people anymore. 😊

Haha. Me too, retired after 33 years as a LEO in SoCal.  My retirement job is picking the range at a local course one afternoon a week. I was offered a paying job in player services but I declined because I’d have to interact with the public.  

[North Butte]

30 minutes ago, RSinSG said:

Haha. Me too, retired after 33 years as a LEO in SoCal.  My retirement job is picking the range at a local course one afternoon a week. I was offered a paying job in player services but I declined because I’d have to interact with the public.  

At least now when the "public" tries to hit you, there's a cage around your picker machine so they can't do any harm. 

[596]

41 minutes ago, RSinSG said:

Haha. Me too, retired after 33 years as a LEO in SoCal.  My retirement job is picking the range at a local course one afternoon a week. I was offered a paying job in player services but I declined because I’d have to interact with the public.  

I worked as a cop for 22 years. 10 as a chief.  Then my wife and I flipped B&Bs for 12 years.   My retirement gig was golf maintenance. Cut grass all by myself.  Even the Supt left me alone.  Now I don't do anything except golf and cycling. 

[WilderMan]

On 7/15/2023 at 11:33 PM, RSinSG said:

Yes. I played it once last year, not keeping score as I had no idea where to hit. This year I hooked up with a local twosome and they told me where to hit tee tee shots to have the best approach in. Made it much better.

 

I get out once a week and would probably play more but I spend a lot of time on the Dworshak reservoir looking for Kokanee or on the Clearwater looking for some salmon.

You're in a great spot there.  Used to live about 50 miles south on the Salmon.  The best of times.

[caeye0710]

What a great scenario. For me personally: I struggle to play alone. I (at most) get two rounds per month between chasing our little ones around. I've tried to sneak out for the occasional afternoon round all by my lonesome, but I get bored after a few holes with no one to talk to. 

 

Sounds like an awesome morning, though! 

[alittleoverpar]

I play 95% of my rounds as a single.  I start early and walk.  It's great exercise and I feel like I connect to the game better.  

[dubbelbogey]

Solo rounds are awesome, though around here, they're limited to mostly late fall or winter days when the course opens.

 

BTW, do you make a distinction between a "solo" round and "playing as a single". Personally, I think of a round where I'm the only player in my tee time slot as "solo". If I sign up for a round by myself, but get paired with strangers, I think of that as playing as a single. Nobody taught that to me, but it's just the way I personally think about it. I'm sure others have different definitions of the terms.

[ShortGolfer]

I enjoy playing as a single.  Played my first round on an empty course on a hot summer weekday in the early afternoon!

I do a ton of gardening so I'm used to being outside in hot weather.  Often with protective clothing that isn't as cool and comfortable as golf attire.

 

I think I'll do a lot more rounds on hot weekday afternoons.

 

[BagofToast]

90% of my out of college season rounds are as a single. I get my social fix during the season. 

[Sir-Shanks-A-Lot]

I like playing solo as much as being a single and paired up. I don't have a regular group so I just book as a single and see what I get when I arrive at the first tee. The playing experience is totally different of course, but just as enjoyable either way. 

[hoselrocket256]

Nothing beats a round in the early AM by yourself

[braincramp52]

6 hours ago, hoselrocket256 said:

Nothing beats a round in the early AM by yourself

You got that right. I play probably 80% of my golf by myself. I despise ranges so my single rounds are used to practice. Hitting balls on a range is a complete waste of time for me.

[Kai Slater]

I prefer playing alone sometimes.  

[puttingmatt]

I prefer playing alone

Enjoy the quiet time and the course,

Sounds greedy, but my quiet golf time is more important than conversations with other people

[jimb6golf]

I enjoy playing golf alone, typically during the fall and winter days when it's very quiet.  During the summer I'm usually playing with friends but lately, due to some injuries, I'm playing as a single.  Usually get matched with others in a random 4-some but it's fine.  You can choose to talk or not and either way enjoy the round. Sure it's more fun playing with friends but I also don't mind playing alone either.  And playing late in the day during the long summer days is nice as well, and you can play pretty late and still get 18 holes in.

[Roejye]

I play a lot as a single, rarely solo as I'm either joining a group or my brother is walking with me. I actually don't mind it really and kind of prefer to join others. It can give me someone to talk to, but also, we don't have to become best friends. 

 

That being said, it's nice to have a true solo round, especially at a really tranquil time of day.

[bcjim]

Playing as a single is fine.  Actually like it and meet mostly great people when I play without my usual group.

 

Playing alone is no good for me. No pressure means no focus. 

 

[ZipinZ]

I share your thoughts while playing as a single, it's my quiet time going for a walk sometimes spoiled.

 

I bet you don't miss the desert heat & the wind, either ....

 

Enjoy your summer.

 

D.

 

 

 

Edited July 29, 2023 by ZipinZ