Performance Difference Solo vs Playing With Others

Foliage Finder

Foliage Finder

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Evening all,

I have noticed as I've continued progressing and playing more rounds that when on my own, I don't play nearly as well as when I join, or am invited to play with, other people. It's strange, when playing alone I play ok, but not as well as I know I can. There are flashes of good play on my tod, such as when I birdied the 14th today...sunk a 20 footer!! But then I lost 5 balls off the next tee.

Does anybody else experience this? Must be to do with being more laid back and having a better approach to a bad shot if you're having decent banter and your PP is missing a couple as well.
 
What happened to me last week was quite the same. I paired up with a chap for a couple of holes as we were behind three quite slow ladies, and I played what arguably where the best two or three shots since I started playing. A fantastic green in regulation, but also two lost balls.
I agree with the reasons you list - I think having someone to chat with after a bad shot really eases the pressure.
 
I'm the opposite, when I'm On my own I should be playing on tour by the way I can play. Put me with people and I'm an embarrassment. I like to have company but for me it takes to much brain power holding a conversation and playing golf.
 
I played in an open last week with my ex boss, who I hadn't seen for 12 years. The round consisted of 18 holes with every walk between shots filled with "catching up" chat. Very difficult to concentrate, I played the first 9 in one over. I think the chat helped me to relax and,xas itvwas quite slow, I was able to switch back on & concentrate for each shot. I'm sure it helped.
 
I'm exactly the same mate though I did play well on Friday on my own!

I think it all just comes down to being more relaxed. I'm hard on myself if I hit a bad shot on my own and get fed up where as if I hit a bad shot when i'm going round with someone I tend to just laugh it off!

Well done on the 20 footer for birdie! :thup:
 
I have always preferred playing with someone else rather than solo but since getting Game Golf I find I am concentrating more with each shot when I'm on my own.

My enjoyment of the game is always more when I have a playing partner than solo.
 
I simply cannot take golf seriously when I am on my own.


I play regular solo golf. Never the full 18 holes. If I am on my own I like to hit as many shots as I can in the 3 odd hours I am out there. No chance would I be happy hitting 80 shots while on my own.


I sometimes play the front 9, then maybe the first 6 again. Find a green to work around. Bit of time in a bunker. A wide fairway to punt a few drives down. That sort or thing.


Attempting to shoot a PB on my own doesn't do it for me at all.
 
Its a pressure thing. You put extra pressure on yourself to perform when you join up with others. Playing on your own is currently your comfort zone. You just need to find a way of relaxing when playing with others.
 
no difference for me, same results. I play a brand of golf this year which I refer to as boom or bust.

Pars and blobs - with very few 2 point bogeys. Played 9 holes last night and it was either a regulation par or a 8/9. very frustrating stuff.
 
I just don't play on my own - if I don't have a game I'll pop to the range and wham some balls. For me golf is a social game and not one for playing alone
 
When I play solo golf its for a different reason, i.e. relaxation after a hard day at the mill. I rarely bother with the score for solo rounds although I enjoy it when a birdie drops - can't remember the last eagle. But I do enjoy the walk, the scenery and the smell of the roses wandering about. If I did keep a score it would be well above what I post in competition, even though its off yellows, because I just amble around not really bothering to concentrate.
 
The one thing that breaks my concentration is having to count the number of shots my playing partners have made. I have too many friends who play out a hole, then turn to me and say 'was that a 5 or 6?'. You hit a 6 mate. 'did I?, one of the tee, two to the bunker ... blah, blah, blah ... oh yeah, a 6'.

It puts me off and means my mind is not free to focus on my own game.
 
londonlewis said:
The one thing that breaks my concentration is having to count the number of shots my playing partners have made. I have too many friends who play out a hole, then turn to me and say 'was that a 5 or 6?'. You hit a 6 mate. 'did I?, one of the tee, two to the bunker ... blah, blah, blah ... oh yeah, a 6'.

It puts me off and means my mind is not free to focus on my own game.
Click to expand...

But the hole is finished so what's to focus on ?

Scoring is part and parcel of the game
 
I find it much easier to play well with partners than on my own.

With partner/s it naturally focuses my mind because of extra pressure. You don't want to have a shocker in front of mates and there always competition, whether it be direct or underlying depending on the type of game.

I find it harder to get my head in the game on my own and sometimes shots suffer as a result.
 
londonlewis said:
??????? you must have misunderstood me.
I'm not counting their scores after they have finished a hole, I'm counting their shots during the hole. It puts me off.
Click to expand...

You said "play out the hole" then ask the score ??!

Until the hole is finished why worry about their score ?
 
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