Playing alone

[philly169]

And get smacked on the back of the head by a wayward drive and you couldn't hear the shout....

Mmm - would you be able claim..??

Would probably help me play better at the moment, and good smack to the head!

 

[Bash]

If I'm only doing 9 holes or so then I like to go out on my own sometimes to work on stuff I wouldn't when doing a card. I generally find I play better alone (apart from putting, which is pretty rubbish in either event)

 

[Mary]

I quite like it, particularly when the course is quiet and you can play a couple of balls if you like. Has to be 9 holes only though, my concentration goes after that.

 

[Whereditgo]

Does anybody else play better alone?

Always, it's when someone else does the counting I struggle!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Can't beat the feeling being out at first light and enjoying the sun coming up and the wildlife. I love it and find it a great way to switch off if I've a lot on my mind. Find it good too if I want to practice certain things. I never really keep a score as I'll usually play a couple of balls and just work on stuff

 

[Airlie_Andy]

Tend to play my best golf when playing alone. Find it easier to get into a rhythm and keep my concentration as their are no other distractions. Also less pressure I guess.

 

[sawtooth]

I do in the Summer months but not this time of year. Cannot beat the odd 9 holes after work (or very early morning) in the height of Summer to try things on the course when hardly anyone else is around.

 

[Phil2511]

Never tried playing alone but may give it a go.

Same here. Though I have found that I play better golf when I feel relaxed. I was playing with a group on a Sunday morning and sometimes it felt like they begrudged you having a good hole because you had more points than they did. If I started well I could have same stroke score as them but have 3 or 4 more points on my card and some would start moaning that I shouldn't get 2 shots at a SI 6 par 3. That would get into my head and I would then play a couple of bad holes.
Now I play on a Saturday with quite a few of the Cat 1 players 2x 3 hcap and a 4,6,7,9 and 11 and they all encourage me to play better and it seems easier to concentrate when it counts while still having friendly banter between shots.
Playing with the first group they would say things like don't leave it short when you're on the green or watch the bunker or pond or whatever, basically playing mind games. Where the second group would stop me playing a risky shot or just leave me to it and if I do make a dogs dinner of a shot just give me the slagging after, but the dogs dinners are becoming less frequent and less severe when they do happen.

 

[MikeTimbers]

I like to go round my local academy 9-hole par 3 course (Pedham Place, Kent) as it allows me to work on stuff without worrying that I might slow others down.

 

[A1ex]

I often play alone. I play 3-4 times a week and normally 29 holes when I play on my own and fly around, then have half an hour on course practice as it's quiet at that time. I enjoy it as I've got handicap goals I've set and I can concentrate, however I prefer playing with others as it's more social and you've got time to think about your shots, especially putts.

Nice to have a mixture and the time I play on my own is definitely more game improving than playing with others IMO.

 

[Scottjd1]

I often get a buggy and play a few holes - I got 12 in today, was no-one in front or behind me I teed off around 1230.

Played 3 balls each hole and try to have one fade, one draw and one straight off the tee (rarely works though) and then try to chip from some of the dodgy lies you get durng a round.

I find it good as it gives me time to think and work on range type stuff but on the course.

 

[Hobbit]

Middle of summer I'll go and play 9 holes late on. There's usually not a lot of difference at all with the scores.

 

[sweatysock41]

I usually play on my own once a week after work in the summer where I can try out various things that I wouldn't do if playing a 'proper' round. You can't beat the sociable side of playing though so as a rule I prefer a 4 ball.

 

[Qwerty]

I got bored playing on my own,then I started playing 2 balls,different numbers usually 1 and 2 and started concentrating and taking the score for each ball seriously.
Always tee off with ball 1 first. Mostly ball 2 is the better tee shot, and ball 2 nearly always has the better score at the end of the round.But i'm happy if ball 1 isn't far behind.It shows some consistency and that I'm getting it right first time.