Playing alone with 1 club

[JRS7]

Is this bad etiquette? The club has 2 courses and one is a beginner course (9 holes). I'm beginner level right now (shoulder surgery). Is it bad form to carry a few balls and tees and just use one club? Don't want to embarrass the club! If so I won't play. My golfing partners have all given up! All 4 of them!

N.B. I would be putting with an iron. Most likely a 7 iron I would use

 

[Mel Smooth]

If people deem it bad etiquette, they are bad people.

Be interesting to know how you score tbh, it'll certainly hel develop facets of your game.

 

[Backache]

Some clubs have a rule that you must have a bag, but I've never seem the number of clubs specified.
I could see people having a concern about putting with a 7 iron if you were more likely to damage the green.

 

[John Evans 9]

If you are on your own and the course is clear then obviously no problem. But if you book a tee slot and others join you then I imagine they would be extremely irritated. Don’t you have a practice ground ?

 

[timd77]

Don’t see an issue with it. Me and a pal played a 1 club challenge a couple of months ago, made no difference to pace of play and we actually both scored pretty well. Was a bit boring though!

 

[Imurg]

it depends on the club and it's rules..
A previous club had a "no practicing on the course" rule..
So what are you doing when you play solo..?
Rules eh?

 

[Neilds]

Novel idea - ask the club. They set the rules so will give you the definitive answer not a guess from the forum

 

[DeanoMK]

I've been meaning to do this for some time, will probably do it this winter, maybe just for 9 holes. I can't see why the club would have a problem with you doing it though.

 

[jim8flog]

Our club has the rule that the player must have a bag.

I often play on our 9 hole course with just 2 clubs.

I got a bit of a ticking off for not using a golf bag because we do not not players sharing a bag and it was being commented by some pay and play people about seeing players without bags.

I too would have concern about putting with seven iron. Putting with an iron is about hitting the middle of the ball with leading edge and ensuring the club does not make contact with the putting surface, quite a skill for a beginner.

 

[Region3]

I don’t see a problem with it, provided that you putt with the leading edge rather than try to chip it on the green.

 

[garyinderry]

What is the point of this?

Why not buy a cheap pencil bag off ebay and bring at least a few clubs.

 

[Jason.H]

I’m assuming you’re a member or paying for your round. Last year we had a couple of lads with one club walk on from the estate next to the course and we’re hitting balls off the green with an iron. It would look odd or out of place imo.

 

[RichA]

Not sure how a putting stroke with a 7-iron is any more likely to damage the surface than the same stroke with a putter, the head of which weighs 50% more and doesn't have any bounce.

 

[Curls]

“I would blade it on the green. No chance of damage”

There’s the rub.

We’ve all mis-struck in the past, be that on the green or off it, and any green keeper worth their salt watching anyone of any standard using a wedge or iron on the green is going to have a word (regardless of the talent of the individual involved - and perhaps more for the contentment of the members than out of genuine concern for the turf).

Just carry a putter too. End of issues imo

 

[BiMGuy]

I often play at a par 3 course with one club when I go with the boy.

It’s good fun trying to manufacture different shots with the same club.

 

[need_my_wedge]

Mrs Wedge had a frozen shoulder for the best part of last year, she played golf with just a 7 iron for the whole of last winter. Every shot with a 7, once her shoulder started to free up and move again this spring, her game had come on leaps and bounds, especially her ball striking. She would get some surprised comments from players watching her tee off on the first, but no one had any issue with it, nor should they.

 

[Crow]

I agree with the comments above about not using a 7 iron on the green. If you're going to do it, take a putter too.

I did this recently:

 

[oleinone]

Got to ask why your playing partners have given up? If it's because you aren't able to advance the ball, practice and lessons on the range/practice ground might be a better use of your time.

 

[Sats]

What is the point of this?

Why not buy a cheap pencil bag off ebay and bring at least a few clubs.

Think the strap and the recent shoulder injury/surgery the op mentions may play a part

 

[Orikoru]

On a short 9 hole practise course I don't see why anybody would be bothered. On the full course maybe a different story.