Playing solo

[YamiKuriboh]

On my own (partners can't play) today so planning to go around the course solo. Hopefully more fun than the range. Never done it before, i'm actually nervous! Any advice?

 

[Capella]

Just enjoy it. No pressure whatsoever. If you want to take it as practice and there is no one coming up behind you, take the time to grant yourself a second ball occasionally. Like when you hit a crappy shot but want to check if the general idea as far as club selection and type of shot was the right one. Or if you want to try out if a lob shot with a wedge works better than a bump and run with a lower lofted club or something like that. No one is watching, no one is judging. Just do what feels right and don't be too hard on yourself.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

As above. A great chance to experiment and try out shots without any pressure. I often learn a lot when playing on my own.

 

[kevingopher]

I think playing on your own is the best way to practice properly. Try playing Two Good. The idea is that, you can have a mulligan after every shot. So, say you knock your approach shot to 25 foot you can choose to hit another, you do, however, have to sacrifice your first shot no matter what the outcome of the mulligan. I find that it adds a little pressure to the second shot. It also allows you to play aggressively/carefully to see what works best.

 

[Matty]

try to pace yourself too, one of the things I find when playing solo is that I rush things a little too much when if anything I should take a little more time.

 

[Pin-seeker]

I've played 9 holes solo in the past.
I got a bit bored tbh & found myself just going through the motions.
But I'm not really into practicing either.

 

[fundy]

get to the course a little earlier and see if you can join up with someone, far more enjoyable than solo golf imho

 

[garyinderry]

I love it.

Can spend 3 hours playing 9 holes alone. Have done many times.


In fact i prefer to do this. Hitting loads of balls rather than horse it round hitting one ball.

 

[YamiKuriboh]

Thanks guys, mind feels a bit more at ease now

Weather is fantastic at the moment but is supposed to tip it down later. Can't wait to be out there!

 

[SaintHacker]

I think playing on your own is the best way to practice properly. Try playing Two Good. The idea is that, you can have a mulligan after every shot. So, say you knock your approach shot to 25 foot you can choose to hit another, you do, however, have to sacrifice your first shot no matter what the outcome of the mulligan. I find that it adds a little pressure to the second shot. It also allows you to play aggressively/carefully to see what works best.

That is a great idea, ill be doing that next time I'm out alone. Would also make for a decent matchplay format if you fancied a change

 

[trevor]

I sometimes prefer going round on my own to playing a game. I hit loads more shots, practice hitting shots you wouldn't normally attempt, miss holes out or do the same one again if it's quite and just carry on playing until you feel you've had enough.

 

[Face breaker]

Spend quite a lot of time out on my own, went out yesterday with a work-mate and didn't have the best of rounds, going out again on my own this evening for a knock about, evening rounds when I'm on my own always seem to go a lot better...

As has already been said 'just enjoy it' hit shots you wouldn't normally try, try clubs you wouldn't normally use on certain holes, I even tee off the same tee 2 or 3 times using different clubs 3-wood/hybrid/iron etc, our 5th tee is a prime target for it, 196 off the yellows so for me I may take a 7-wood, a 22* hybrid and a 6i and see which one suits my needs best, that's what evenings out on yer own are for and as long as yer not holding anyone up you can do what yuh like... :thup:

 

[Robster59]

It never bothers me. We have a touring caravan and I take my clubs with me and play where I can. As a result I play a lot of new courses on my own. It doesn't bother me as I can take my time to really appreciate the course and make the most of my visit.

 

[r0wly86]

I often prefer to play alone. Just like going for a walk you get a bit of peace, plus you can practice a bit if possible.

 

[Val]

I normally only play 9 holes if on my own, did it plenty at my away course this year.

 

[guest100718]

nice during the summer evenings for a it is practice. but j wouldn't dream of going out on my own when it's busy

 

[Jamesbrown]

I must go out solo 3-4 days a week if there isn't a comp on.
First tee time. I'll be there and off I pop. I can potter about with three balls in my pocket. I can have a 6 hour round and see nobody but greenkeepers. All the retirees play the flat course so It's the "championship" course to myself.

 

[YamiKuriboh]

So went round on my own earlier. Really enjoyed the practice. Course was very quiet, played multiple balls on several occasions. I found that my putting was so much better without having other people watch me. My iron play was a lot worse though - on reflection i may have been rushing myself and been a bit tired from carrying my bag.

 

[Face breaker]

Just got back myself, made one or two discoveries this evening like not taking on unnecessary flop shots cos a well placed chip with an 8i does it better especially in a heavy wind (which it was tonight) flop-shots have their place though and mine are superb even if I do say so myself...

Also played two balls all the way around (empty course, due to the wind no doubt) and managed to score fairly evenly with both as in two 5's on the 1st, a 4 and 3 on the 2nd etc, finished off with a 5-7 on the 18th so took the average and gave meself a 6 for a 'double bogey' so fairly pleased with it all although I came in with a 98 net 77 so slightly over my handicap 'down to the wind no doubt' as I got 9's on the 9th and 11th, the ball just refused to go far enough... :smirk:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Love playing solo rounds. Try different shots and usually play a couple of balls. Great time to do some thinking too.