Lonely Golfer

[damtall]

My father and brothers got me into golf, which I’ll be forever grateful of.

But now they’re getting older and having kids they're not getting out as much.

I have always been a bit shy to play with strangers just because i'm a bit nervous that i may not be good enough (playing of 18) or just keeping chat going for 18 holes.

Has anyone got any advice of how to meet other golfers and one day even join a society?

 

[Foxholer]

My father and brothers got me into golf, which I’ll be forever grateful of.

But now they’re getting older and having kids they're not getting out as much.

I have always been a bit shy to play with strangers just because i'm a bit nervous that i may not be good enough (playing of 18) or just keeping chat going for 18 holes.

Has anyone got any advice of how to meet other golfers and one day even join a society?

Lose the shyness. Golfers are almost always friendly. One of the great things about handicap golf is how the handicap can equalise results. And 18 is a reasonable level too.

No need to chat on the way round. Any such (lack of) chat should be natural, so others will recognise - and maybe even appreciate it!

Does your work have any golf outings - assuming you are working? Some clubs have flexible membership which might be appropriate - and intermediate/student rates are often quite reasonable if you are not working yet.

 

[damtall]

i am working, was a full member for a year but didn't meet anyone the entire year. just walked in the pro shop look around the clothes and ran to the first tee.

May be i should just man up and ask to join someone!

Whats the worst that can happen?

 

[adiemel]

I can understand how you feel. I play socially with a couple of friends but have taken up membership at the club we play at the others haven't. So to get a handicap etc I have got to get know members.

 

[RaCs]

i am working, was a full member for a year but didn't meet anyone the entire year. just walked in the pro shop look around the clothes and ran to the first tee.

May be i should just man up and ask to join someone!

Whats the worst that can happen?

Of course you should man up and ask to join someone! Like you say, what is the worst that can happen?

Golf is a sociable game so getting to know new people and players is a part of this wonderful game!

 

[cookelad]

i am working, was a full member for a year but didn't meet anyone the entire year. just walked in the pro shop look around the clothes and ran to the first tee.

May be i should just man up and ask to join someone!

Whats the worst that can happen?

I'm always reluctant to approach a group and found the easiest way in was to talk to the pro. (joined a new place in September and now play in 2 different swindles)

The pro is there to help you more than just your golf swing or selling you tees, ask him/her what time a "friendly" swindle goes out on a Saturday or Sunday morning and get to the course a little handy before they tee off, and ask the pro to make the introduction and away you go!

 

[Grogger]

i am working, was a full member for a year but didn't meet anyone the entire year. just walked in the pro shop look around the clothes and ran to the first tee.

May be i should just man up and ask to join someone!

Whats the worst that can happen?

I used to feel like this until one day on the first tee a lad approached me and asked if he could join me. I warned him I was terrible he told me not to worry. I was totally rubbish but he did everything he could to help me out. He even got me a pint at the bar after to say cheers.

Ive found most people around my age are always pretty approachable and ill never say no to a round with someone.

Where do you normally play?

 

[mab]

If you pop your name on the competition sheet, you'll automatically get to play with and meet people. The slight issue is that it takes time and perhaps a bit of a push from you to progress that to being able to give people a call for a quick game.

I joined a club on my own a few years back and regularly played with others in the weekend comps and on the club team in the week. Everyone was really friendly and made me feel welcome - you'd be surprised what you can gain if you're prepared to put yourself out there a bit. It can be a little uncomfortable at times tho, which I completely understand.

 

[mcbroon]

Definitely go for it. The pro should be able to fix you up with a game if you ask.

I play with people I've never met at least once a month, sometimes more when my regular playing partner can't make it. Everyone I've met has been at the very least civil and perfectly decent company for the 3 or 4 hours it takes to get round.

And don't forget there may well be other people in the same boat as you. Last weekend, I played with a guy who'd booked a speculative time in the hope that someone would turn up looking for a game. If he hadn't done that, and I hadn't asked the pro to fix me up, neither of us would have got a game.

 

[damtall]

Thanks everyone, going to take all your advise and go for it!

looking forward to the weekend now.

 

[dotty001]

If you pop your name on the competition sheet, you'll automatically get to play with and meet people. The slight issue is that it takes time and perhaps a bit of a push from you to progress that to being able to give people a call for a quick game.

I joined a club on my own a few years back and regularly played with others in the weekend comps and on the club team in the week. Everyone was really friendly and made me feel welcome - you'd be surprised what you can gain if you're prepared to put yourself out there a bit. It can be a little uncomfortable at times tho, which I completely understand.

This , if none of my mates are playing i just grab an early slot and withing days 2 other names are next to mine

 

[pbrown7582]

Did the club you joined not have a roll up time where all who want to play just meet up?
Entering comps is another great way if it's not a drawn sheet just put your name down on start sheet and take whoever joins you you'll soon meet loads of new playing partners. The vast majority are friendly golfers there maybe the odd pain but the pros far out way the cons. Go have fun.

 

[BoadieBroadus]

i was in the same position, except i wasn't as good as playing off 18. i just started entering the comps and then fell in with a group that teed off at the same time each week. the pro should have a good idea of who to put you with if you ask him to stick your name down on the sheet.

off 18 you'll be more than good enough to hold your own.

 

[Rooter]

Go for it! i played solo a few weeks back, got help up behind a few groups, so the 3 ball behind invited me to their group, they were all 30 years older than me, but i still had a great time and met 3 new people whom i would be happy to play with again!

Strangers are just friends you just haven't met yet... (unless they are offering you sweeties to get in their car, steer clear of them)

 

[Wolfman]

Hi Damtall

Firstly playing off 18 is a good level of golfer in my opinion and you should be proud of this
Playing without a regular buddy has been an issue for me in the past and the worse thing can be joining the wrong club and find you are no better off.

Some clubs seem to welcome newcomers of all standards better than others so be careful

In general I would turn up and most decent folk seeing a solo golfer would invite to play along.

Sometimes I have tee'd off on mine own and then been invited to join a fellow golfer or 2 ball further into the course.

The golfers who make you feel unwelcome are few and far between but if you experience any you will know that is the wrong group or club for you.

Saturday Swindles are great fun social Stableford comps where you pay maybe £3 to enter each week and normally the group is a friendly bunch

 

[virtuocity]

I was struggling for a game (play mostly midweek) and then I got a list of the club members' mobile numbers, text 100 of them and now I'm never stuck for a game!!!!

 

[Five&One]

Our club has a Sunday roll up in the summer. Usually 8 or 9 singles rock up at 3.30 when its getting quieter. The pro does a quick draw and off we all go. it's a great idea and more clubs should do something along those lines. It encourages a bit of club spirit and its always a different crowd so 3 or 4 times and suddenly you know 20 odd other members.

We also have several small clubs within the club. One club play first thing on winters Sunday mornings and its about 30 members strong. Nothing serious although there are prizes etc etc its more of a social thing.

A good captain, vice captain or pro or committee would be one who thinks about sole golfers and oils the wheels a bit for those a bit tentative about playing with strangers.

it isn't that easy if the club don't facilitate it though

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If you are already in a club (or if you are joining another) then see if they have roll ups (otherwise known as greedies or swindles). Mine has several on a Saturday and Sunday and most welcome new members. If not just get your name down for monthly comps. Every club has its knobs and cliques but on the whole most club members are a friendly bunch. Swallow your pride and your nerves and play with as many people as you can. Relax, don't try too hard to impress and play your normal game. Start general conversations like where do you live/work etc and let the chat flow

 

[Fitz]

My usual playing partner is now a less frequent playing partner so what i do is turn up early to your club on a weekend morning (saturday usually) say around 8, speak to the pro and he'll usually know the golfers who usually turn up at a similar time most weeks and he'll ask them if they mind an extra playing partner.
This is what i did last saturday and a 3 ball became a 4 ball when the club captain turned up and joined us. They were fine with helping search the rough for several of my shots!!

 

[CMAC]

are you in a club? if so ask the secretary or social convenor, match secretary if they can introduce you to other new members or the social types that welcome new members.
Competitions are also good, and when your with them ask them when the roll ups happen and how to meet more members, golfers are on the whole eager to help