Playing Solo

[harpo_72]

I usually play on my own. I can keep focused, I take my penalties and putting seriously. I rarely do gimmes and if I do they are around 6” and on the level. If things aren’t right, I will hit a few balls, I don’t take divots of note unless the ball is in one or it’s in the rough.
I like this element about golf.. I enjoy all formats and playing with people Or just on my own.

 

[KenL]

How does a single playing 2 balls damage the course more than a two ball playing their own ball?

Some people drop multiple balls and play wedges onto a green.
More divots and more ball marks.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Going back to the OP and playing the course was the first time, are many courses allowing a single golfer out at the moment? I would have thought with booked times and a premium on trying to get as many out as possible this wouldn't be feasible. Apart from the odd soul rocking up late around 6.30 for five holes (members) I've not seen too many visitors or indeed members playing on their own.

If I was out on my own I'd play one ball and treat it like a medal round and see what I could score around there and play as well as I could. If I was to start catching others up I'd hit a few practice putts on the green I've just played or maybe some short chip and runs (minimal risk of leaving pitch marks)

 

[davidy233]

Going back to the OP and playing the course was the first time, are many courses allowing a single golfer out at the moment? I would have thought with booked times and a premium on trying to get as many out as possible this wouldn't be feasible. Apart from the odd soul rocking up late around 6.30 for five holes (members) I've not seen too many visitors or indeed members playing on their own.

If I was out on my own I'd play one ball and treat it like a medal round and see what I could score around there and play as well as I could. If I was to start catching others up I'd hit a few practice putts on the green I've just played or maybe some short chip and runs (minimal risk of leaving pitch marks)

We've allowed singles since the restart

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We've allowed singles since the restart

Fair enough. As I said aside from late evening, tee bookings have been 2-4 balls. I guess now the nights are closing in we may get more spare times and so a solo would get out without a problem.

 

[davidy233]

Fair enough. As I said aside from late evening, tee bookings have been 2-4 balls. I guess now the nights are closing in we may get more spare times and so a solo would get out without a problem.

I'll caveat my previous post - we've allowed singles with the proviso that other people can put their name down in your slot to play alongside you - but in practice I don't think this has happened. Certainly hasn't to me.

 

[HarrogateHacker]

Quite enjoy a solo round, use it to try out different strategies like driver vs hybrid off the tee on par 5s etc and then use the winning tactic next medal etc. Replay annoying shots, throw a few balls down on the green so I can putt from different angles

 

[ExRabbit]

I'm not playing winter league this year, so will play a lot of solo rounds probably - I'll go back to what I did years ago - I'll play bogey golf.

You against the course, the course is playing scratch.

 

[patricks148]

Some people drop multiple balls and play wedges onto a green.
More divots and more ball marks.

people do that if it allowed or not, we have a guy who was once an asst pro and not ever been a member, parks up the back of the 13th green plays 14, 15, drops balls in the mid of the 3rd fairway and hits to the green, hits a load onto 4th which is a short par 3 then tee's off 5 can cuts up and played 13. been seen a spoken to by many, greens keepers have even been out an try to catch him... unashamed and has an attitude to boot

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Had a very enjoyable solo knock around Carlyon Bay (St Austell) yesterday. Went off at 8:20 singleton playing one ball as I could see that a two was getting ready to play. I really took my time to let them catch me up as I couldn’t see anyone following them - and let them through after 4 holes. That allowed me to play two balls.

By the time I was on the 12th tee another two ball was a par3 behind so I stopped and had a good chat with one of the green keepers. Let the two ball through and then followed them playing two balls as nobody behind. In the end my round took me about 3 and half hrs - and I really enjoyed just wandering along and taking in the lovely Cornish coastline and landscapes - and playing a bit of golf - knocking it round in my handicap ?

 

[Temeura]

Is is worthwhile playing solo as a beginner?

My preference is to play with a more experienced player to help with tips and advice but I do not have any friends locally who play.

I have had four lessons and will have a couple more but would then like to get out on the course. I fear that I might struggle on my own without someone more experienced to talk me through things.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Is is worthwhile playing solo as a beginner?

My preference is to play with a more experienced player to help with tips and advice but I do not have any friends locally who play.

I have had four lessons and will have a couple more but would then like to get out on the course. I fear that I might struggle on my own without someone more experienced to talk me through things.

There is some logic in what you say but I'd counter that and say that sometimes you are also better left to your own devices and finding your own ways to get it round and what does and doesn't work and how to play when you aren't being coached through it. Nothing to lose in my opinion

 

[MarkT]

I'll try so hard to take it seriously and putt out but it goes out the window after about three holes at the most. Not sure why it's the putting that is affected the most. I generally try and hit a collection of punch shots as I find them the sexiest and when that fails go back to obsessing and kidding myself that I've solved the chipping conundrum.

 

[Temeura]

There is some logic in what you say but I'd counter that and say that sometimes you are also better left to your own devices and finding your own ways to get it round and what does and doesn't work and how to play when you aren't being coached through it. Nothing to lose in my opinion

Thanks. I am going to have to go solo as I can't see another way I am going to be able to play soon otherwise. Just going to find out when the quietest time is, so I don't get in too many people's way.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Thanks. I am going to have to go solo as I can't see another way I am going to be able to play soon otherwise. Just going to find out when the quietest time is, so I don't get in too many people's way.

One other big positive for me - and indeed for any player - possibly especially newbies - is that you set your own expectations around what you want to do - and you do not have to bother or worry about what another player with you is either doing - or thinking of you.

If I go out solo with 3 clubs and a putter I'll usually have the idea of practicing some iron play and I won't have anything longer than a 5i. I won't feel any embarrassment or issue hitting a 5i off the tee on a 500yd par 5. And I am not expecting to get a par - or what my score might end up being. The only thing that will matter to me is trying to hit some irons as best I can - and maybe get up and down as best I can.

Funnily enough with my expectations around scoring set very low I often score pretty well - and I really do enjoy myself

 

[Temeura]

One other big positive for me - and indeed for any player - possibly especially newbies - is that you set your own expectations around what you want to do - and you do not have to bother or worry about what another player with you is either doing - or thinking of you.

If I go out solo with 3 clubs and a putter I'll usually have the idea of practicing some iron play and I won't have anything longer than a 5i. I won't feel any embarrassment or issue hitting a 5i off the tee on a 500yd par 5. And I am not expecting to get a par - or what my score might end up being. The only thing that will matter to me is trying to hit some irons as best I can - and maybe get up and down as best I can.

Funnily enough with my expectations around scoring set very low I often score pretty well - and I really do enjoy myself

Thanks.

I’ll definitely be leaving the driver and woods at home as I have not had any coaching on them and they terrify me.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Thanks.

I’ll definitely be leaving the driver and woods at home as I have had any coaching on them and they terrify me.

Good plan

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Thanks.

I’ll definitely be leaving the driver and woods at home as I have not had any coaching on them and they terrify me.

I disagree. Providing you have had some experience of hitting woods and a driver, at a range or when you've played, get some cheap balls, any old rocks will do , and if you are on your own, get use to using the driver on some holes. If a hole looks tough and it isn't the right play to hit driver then think about strategy to hit the ball into play, what you'd need to hit to the green and if you can't reach where you need to leave it

 

[Diamond]

I intended to have a round just hitting my 6 iron off the tee.

 

[KenL]

I intended to have a round just hitting my 6 iron off the tee.

Great idea. Good for future course management.
When I first joined my club for a few medals in a row I went into a bunker (4 in range) off the tee on the 1st and made bogey every time.
I then hit 5 iron off the tee to be short of them and made par every time.
Lesson learned.