Being let through?

[nta73]

Hello everyone, i want advice really on how to deal with catching up groups in front of you, i am currently playing a lot of golf on my own ( my normal playing mate has a injury and cant play atm) so i find my self catching up groups in front a lot more and find myself stood on the tee waiting for them to clear the greens or if i catch them possibly letting me tee off and go through. the problem i have is i feel i am bearing down on them if you like? a bit hard to describe but after 9 holes this afternoon i caught three two balls up and found standing on the tee very uncomfortable, I am not saying they should all move aside for me at all more i feel so uneasy, how do you people deal with such situations? hope you can see what i mean!?

 

[IanG]

I tend to slow myself down by playing more than one ball, or having a few extra putts on every green.

 

[fundy]

Say hello, be sociable, some of the groups will probably offer you to join with them (which would always be preferable to playing on my own for me). If its really slow and they arent letting you through and you want to then ask

 

[ManinBlack]

If I was playing on my own and came up behind a 2, 3, or 4 ball with no one in front of them I'd expect to be let through. If the course was very busy, with matches on all the holes up ahead, I would not expect to be let through. Under these circumstances, I would, as has previously been said, play two balls & take some extra chips or putts. Imagine if there were half a dozen singles out on a busy course, it would cause chaos for the matches in front to be constantly letting them through. Equal standing, fair enough, but not priority.

 

[nta73]

I tend to slow myself down by playing more than one ball, or having a few extra putts on every green.

i have done that, take it more as a practice round?

 

[Hacker Khan]

I play a bit on my own and it depends on how much time I have and the state of the course. If I want to get round in under 4 hours I'll kind of make them aware I'd like to be let through, assuming the course is not stacked up everywhere. And to be fair just about everyone does let me through at the earliest opportunity. But if I am not in a rush and there's a few 3 or 4 balls in front of me then I'll play a couple of balls on most holes and deliberately not catch them up. Assuming no one is right behind me.

 

[DaveyG]

Yeah as others have said spend a little more time on the greens... i definitely walk that bit slower if I think there is no chance/point in going through.

Its hard at the moment but I do try and go put early or late to have the course to myself

 

[Green Bay Hacker]

Provided there is no one right behind me, I usually play 2 or 3 balls on each hole. If I am in a hurry I will skip a few holes or find a quiet area of the course where I can play a few holes before I have to go.

 

[nta73]

i think i am saying i dont like the thought of pushing my way through, but dont like being held up! always make sure i do thank all in the group that have let me through and pass a comment "lovely weather" or something like that, thanks for replies people nice to get your oppinions.

 

[Foxholer]

Really depends on what you are trying to do.

Joining up or playing 2 balls - and spending extra time on the greens - is a good way to slow yourself down so you don't feel pushy. Skipping about on holes can bypass blockages at some courses too. Or start on a hole that avoids the blockage in the first place - if practical. Making it known that you are, temporarily, sans partner might jig someone to suggest contacting another member - as several singles on the course at once isn't 'efficient' use of it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Depends really how busy the course is. If the holes ahead are empty I'd ask politely if they'd mind if you played through. Some will and sadly some would rather go to hell on a handcart than let a singleton through. Be personable and maybe compromise and ask if you could join them. Again some will, some won't.

If they don't and again it depends on how pushed you are from behind, play two balls, do some putting and chipping and generally slow yourself down. The best solution of all would be to ask the pro, secretary, or even the steward, if they know of any roll up groups or regular players at a set time and see if you can get a guaranteed and regular game, at least until your normal partner is healthy

 

[williamalex1]

As others have said play 2 balls and practice putting and chipping as long as you're not holding anyone up, or ask to play through.

Personally i would ask if i could join them, especially they're a 3 ball , or cut in somewhere ahead them then double back if possible.

But i would never think of playing a full 18 holes alone! at my home course. Join in and make new friends.:thup:

 

[SaintHacker]

some would rather go to hell on a handcart than let a singleton through

Anyone who does this should be banned from golf for life IMO.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Another option, if it is quiet behind and you have two adjacent holes, is to play those holes again.

 

[louise_a]

I play a lot on my own and do most of the above suggestions, but my preferred option is to join a 2 or 3 ball.

 

[dufferman]

Just be careful of playing too many extra balls / shots... I play a lot on my own over the summer in the evenings, and once or twice got caught behind a single player who decided they would play 2 balls and practice putting on every hole, with no-one in front of them! He would only 'speed up' when he could see me waiting... which was usually only on the tee box. The rest of the holes he was blissfully un-aware of me waiting each shot...

 

[North Mimms]

i have done that, take it more as a practice round?

By definition, it has to be a practice round as it can't be a competitive round on your own.

A friend of mine plays a lot of solo golf and does this- she plays 2 balls from same spot then picks up the BETTER ball, and plays twice from the worse position. She says it's really good at honing your ability to get out of trouble

 

[Ian_Bristol]

If I am in that situation and nobody is behind me I will do a bit of ball searching or sit on the bench by the tee and relax until they are out of sight then play two balls each shot, I find if I wait on the T I start getting cross and then that ruins my game and blame the fact waiting was at fault even if it wasn't :fore:

 

[nta73]

thanks for replies people:thup:

 

[John_R7]

Quote (A friend of mine plays a lot of solo golf and does this- she plays 2 balls from same spot then picks up the BETTER ball, and plays twice from the worse position. She says it's really good at honing your ability to get out of trouble)Quote

I often play better ball when practicing - I really like the sound and idea of WORST ball :thup: (as long as it is not OOB )
Think I will try that this winter, cheers.