Playing golf alone.

[Moonlightgrm]

As the fall golf season progresses, I find myself playing more rounds alone. Most of my group packs it in once the temperature falls below 60* F. I'll play until the temp dips below 40*F. This may sound strange to some, but I'm starting to enjoy the solitude on the course. I won't say it's more spiritual, but I find the round very relaxing and I can let my mind wander between shots, then focus on the shot at hand. I will play a couple of balls on occasion playing a draw with one and a fade with the other. The experimentation on the course is fun. I played yesterday and encountered only one other golfer on the course (52*F). Anyone else have thoughts about solo golf?

[hublee]

Have the same issue as you with the group folding for the most part. I too enjoy the solitude and having the course to myself. But sometimes I miss having the extra eyes to help with wayward shots, especially with the leaves falling. Usually walk and get some exercise too.

[EJ Mac]

I don't have a regular group so a big part of my rounds are solo. It is nice at time but at other times I would like to share some company.

[Hot Rod 71]

I have several regulars I play with, but I also like to get out and play alone. It's great practice. I work on hitting different shots, chipping, pitching, and putting.

I like playing alone occasionally for the peace and quiet and solitude. Sometimes it's just nice to be out there with no distractions.

[mjguzik]

I have to agree with the solitude. Its my favorite time of year aside from the shorter days. Get out of work and squeeze in 9 holes at a leisurely pace with hardly anyone else on the course .

[llewol007]

I love playing solo golf. I pick a time when there are big gaps in between and I use it as my on course practice session. I will take two drives of a tee box playing different varieties of shots. I will pick my go to distance for my wedge and get the feeling of different varying shots. Low and direct to high and soft landing. With twilight rates starting earlier, I usually will play the round in under 3 hours or I end up just playing 9 holes with about 18 holes worth of shots. If I get paired up its usually with older people in the morning and that's also a blast listening to stories.

[RickK]

I have been working out of town away from my home clubs and if I do play during the week, it generally is solo. Not much in the way of good golf where I am working, maybe one step up from cow pasture pool, but at least it is a place to get out and swing the clubs. Rarely is there ever anyone there to play with when I go out so I just go solo and play 18 in about 2 hours. Not what I prefer to do but still it lets me get some swings in. When I am out there, I typically play with balls that I have found or stuff that I normally wouldn't play with. If it lose it, I lose it. Hard to see late in the day with sun in your eyes.

[Michael C.]

I play a lot of solo rounds as well. Regular playing partners usually won't play as much as I do. They think I'm obsessed with the game. My wife tends to think so, too, because I like to go to the range and practice or I'm watching golf on TV while perusing the topics on Golfwrx. They're all just crazy. It's them not me....LMAO...IT IS them...Not me, right?

[Taylor13]

I love playing with my friends but late Sunday evening golf by myself is my favorite time to play

[Shiz Zyfinn]

Golfing alone can be great:

1. I'm not the biggest social butterfly to begin with... grew up latchkey only-child... so I'm an introvert and quite comfortable being alone.
2. I'm in my 30s and most of my friends have young kids and/or life-consuming jobs, so they don't have much golf time.
3. Alone you can be spontaneous, playing at drop of hat, and not centering your day on a certain tee time, or worrying if your friends will make it on time
3. Most importantly: playing alone lets you get in so much golf for the time you spend. No waiting for 3 other shlubs at the tee box. No sitting around on the putting green. No waiting to move on while some goof tries to hit on the cart girl. Just shot after shot after shot...

I guess I should mention I'm blessed with this nice 9-hole muni a couple miles from my house. Later in the day, it's usually empty, meaning you can play extra holes to your heart's content. One of my favorite places to be is on that course, during the "golden hour" (last hour before sunset, when the light gets gorgeous), just duffin' away. Sometimes I'm with friends, and sometimes I get paired with strangers, both of which are fine. But some of my best days out there are the two-hour or three-hour sessions when it's just me and my clubs and the course.

[dpc]

I started playing solo golf when the regular foursome became a burden on my family life when my kids were young. It wasn't golf that was the problem it was being away from the family for 6 hours in the middle of weekend days in the summer. I started teeing off solo at sunrise; finish in 2.5 or 3 hours and get home just when everyone's waking up. I get my golf in and everyone's happy. Twenty five years later I'm still doing it; I love having the course to myself in the early morning.
-dpc

[Marand]

I'm a situational conversationalist, not a chatterbox, if I'm playing with someone and they want to talk, fine, that can be interesting. If not, that's fine too. Playing alone can be a very rewarding experience, not unlike my 20 years of solo motorcycle touring throughout the country. A bit of a Zen character to it. When I play alone I always play it down, there are never gimmies.

[irvtrain]

I love walking the course by myself since I play a lot more than my buddies. Unfortunately for my golfing, Denver is growing so fast and the weather here has been outstanding. The courses just get slammed. I lived here all my life and I've never seen courses so packed all year long. We could stand to add 2-3 courses in the area. Today it was 75* and had to just go to the range/practice area. I'm beginning to think everyone else is like me and adjusts their work schedule around golf.

[straightslice]

I almost prefer solo golf. The round is so fluid and I usually can get in a great groove.

[Thrillhouse]

Forget greatest golf moments, some of the best moments of my life have been on empty golf courses late in the day with the sun going down.

A golf course is beautiful in the low light with the sun hitting the contours of the course in just the right way. And it's tranquil, just you and the game and your thoughts. I love it.

[A.G.Blade]

I enjoy the alone rounds as well; you really don't get them that often. I tend to focus more on my swing and game, where playing with a group I will be more concerned with playing them or the course. Always good to mix it up.

[Itsjustagame]

I agree with those who find late day golf on an empty course very enjoyable. I will probably only do 9 holes though as most of my golf is with others.

[bdcava]

I love playing alone. I find I play better and of course faster. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the companionship golf offers and play with friends, customers and strangers often but one of the unfortunate results of me taking up golf is that I really stopped fishing which offered nature and solitude, so anytime I can get that from golf, I reaaly enjoy it.

[butch33611]

I play with a regular group but also like getting out by myself. The down side is hitting that great shot or chipping one in and nobody there to see it. All you do is smile and move on.

[MrJones]

I agree with a lot of you guys about the feeling of tranquility and peace out walking 9 on an afternoon alone. But I can't seem to take those rounds seriously. If I play alone it's always a practice round. Instead of being more focused my mind tends to relax and wander a bit.

I much prefer to play in a group. I enjoy the chatting and the social side of it but I'm really more about the competition side of it. I get more focused and enjoy the small amount of pressure that comes along with it.

[SeekonkHolen1]

[quote name='Thrillhouse' timestamp='1415335010' post='10409817']
Forget greatest golf moments, some of the best moments of my life have been on empty golf courses late in the day with the sun going down.

A golf course is beautiful in the low light with the sun hitting the contours of the course in just the right way. And it's tranquil, just you and the game and your thoughts. I love it.
[/quote]


Wow Man!! This statement should be on a golf calendar, makes me want to go play.

Nicely done my friend


Jorge

[Garush34]

Most of my golf is solo golf. My regular playing partner and I work different shift patterns so we genreally only play together once a month or once every couple months. And now there are no medals so I just go out when I can and play. Its good for practice and playing the course to work out different ways to play holes.

A couple times when I've gone out others have asked to join up but most of the time people just let you through or ignore you at my place.

[SixtySomePing]

I enjoy golf whether with friends, or by myself. I also love when my wife goes along with me for the walk and keeps me company. But to specifically answer your question, I get a lot of vacation, more than my wife does, so I set aside quite a few days, or even half days during the summer, or fall, when I know the weather will be perfect. Then I take my time and go to the course at the time of day when I know it won't be busy, and really enjoy it. Sometimes I may go on a windy day on purpose, or cooler, or some unusual condition, and here's why...

I set this time aside maybe to practice a new swing technique, or use a new type of ball, maybe that I've read about right here on Golf[i]WRX[/i], because even though I'm 63, I don't know it all, and you guys are the greatest. So I try stuff based on what I learn from you, and frankly I have a great time with that. I may hit 2 or 3 drives, or try some different method of approach shot, just some little thing I've learned, but that's what makes it fun. The best part is that I come away with some kind of improvement, and usually I can say I owe it to one of you, and you may not even realize it, but thanks!

[IrishGolfer14]

I love playing alone because of how peaceful it can be, especially if it's an early morning round or an evening round. There's nothing like being out there all alone when it's so quiet and having the sun rise or sunset in the background. Also there's no way I'm taking a cart for one of these rounds, that just kills the serenity.

[suns11111]

Love playing solo golf too late in the year. I mix it up a little play a tee box way forward then way back. Dial in some clubs. Zig Zag if I catch up to someone.

[catalystman]

Definitely pros & cons to both options. I do love the solo thing for the solitude myself, I can even replay a shot if I want to as a practice, and it's also cool when I get paired up with interesting strangers.

[larrybud]

Walking my home course a couple of years ago as a solo. I believe it was a late Sunday eve, starting to cool down, and course was empty. On the 16th hole I've got my back turned to the green as I clean my ball. I place it down, and address the ball, when I hear something behind me and to my left. There was a deer standing not 20 feet from me, eating grass, looking at me. I backed off and thought "Are you kidding me?". I waited a few seconds to see if she was going to move, but she didn't. I addressed the ball again and hit the putt, finished the hole, and she just stood there, eating the whole time.

I'm pretty sure that never would have happened with a group of us, and certainly not if I was in a golf cart.

[nyj3712]

Play most of my golf alone. I play nine most mornings before work. Its a great walk and the golf is always better. Unfortunately, I have developed a bit of social anxiety when I do play with others, very nervous first few holes. Played about 85 times this year, at least 65 alone.

[Yosef]

Love it, always try to take one or two of my vacation days during the year on a random nice weekday and play alone. Almost always have the course to yourself.

[Cicero]

Generally play alone. I'm the type that enjoys having some solo time, especially with two young kids at home.