Your most unpopular Golf opinions?

[Pepperturbo]

9 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

I think it would be best if you weren't so forthright.

For whose sake??? LOL 

[dekez]

7 hours ago, WesternRacing said:

 

If they did, restaurants would fill that spot.  So, yes, I would ‘impose myself’ on that table, because the restaurant would require it if I wanted to eat there.

 

Are you new to golf?

 

You do understand that the empty spot in your group is lost revenue to the golf course, right?  Just like most anything else in life, you get what you pay for.  If you want the spot empty, just pay for it in the pro shop.  You seem to think that you’re paying for a tee time, rather than one of four spots in a tee time.

 

No I am not new to golf.

 

I am asking you "Why do you joint a threesome as a single? Dont you understand that they dont want you there?"  And your answer is: because the course lets me. Great. Perfectly fine answer.

 

"Hey guys, good news! They've added a single to our group!" <- These words have never been said.

[Bad9]

6 minutes ago, dekez said:

"Why do you joint a threesome as a single?

 

Maybe because it's the only open time available in the time range/day you want to play. I'll join the chorus of people saying if you don't want anyone to join you pay for all the spots in the foursome.

[dubbelbogey]

Maybe it's a regional thing or a private/public thing, but here in Colorado, on the very wide mix of public courses I play, the overwhelming majority of the time, groups that book as a threesome will get a single added to their group. A twosome will get either another twosome or two singles. It's just the complete norm here and 99.999% of the time, this is expected and all involved know this.

 

Into my 4th decade playing golf here, and I'd say at least 2/3rds of my rounds have been me, as a single, being paired with another, random, group. To my best recollection, exactly once during this time has a group had an issue with it. They were told to either play with me or wait 90 minutes until another opening came up, with no guarantee that it wouldn't also be filled in the meantime.

 

In other words, this is the norm, not the exception.

 

Sure, it's possible some groups may not have liked being paired with a single, but outside of that one time, they must've been pretty good actors because I never perceived even a bad vibe or cold shoulder. For my own part, I'm totally happy to join a group of 3 strangers. I'm not particularly extroverted, not necessarily looking to make new friends, but nearly 100% of the time, it's a fun time (or at the very least, completely cordial) and I think the feeling is mutual. I'll chat a bit if they want to, keep quiet if they seem to want their own space, keep up the pace and have generally decent etiquette.

[Double Mocha Man]

4 minutes ago, dubbelbogey said:

Maybe it's a regional thing or a private/public thing, but here in Colorado, on the very wide mix of public courses I play, the overwhelming majority of the time, groups that book as a threesome will get a single added to their group. A twosome will get either another twosome or two singles. It's just the complete norm here and 99.999% of the time, this is expected and all involved know this.

 

Into my 4th decade playing golf here, and I'd say at least 2/3rds of my rounds have been me, as a single, being paired with another, random, group. To my best recollection, exactly once during this time has a group had an issue with it. They were told to either play with me or wait 90 minutes until another opening came up, with no guarantee that it wouldn't also be filled in the meantime.

 

In other words, this is the norm, not the exception.

 

Sure, it's possible some groups may not have liked being paired with a single, but outside of that one time, they must've been pretty good actors because I never perceived even a bad vibe or cold shoulder. For my own part, I'm totally happy to join a group of 3 strangers. I'm not particularly extroverted, not necessarily looking to make new friends, but nearly 100% of the time, it's a fun time (or at the very least, completely cordial) and I think the feeling is mutual. I'll chat a bit if they want to, keep quiet if they seem to want their own space, keep up the pace and have generally decent etiquette.

 

It is incumbent upon the single not to be a jerk.  Sounds like you do (did) well.  My twosome had two singles join us this morning.  Neil and John, great guys.

[dekez]

1 hour ago, Bad9 said:

 

Maybe because it's the only open time available in the time range/day you want to play. I'll join the chorus of people saying if you don't want anyone to join you pay for all the spots in the foursome.

Understood. Hey, this is the unpopular golf opinion thread after all.  My group has paid for a non participant before. On occasions we just prayed. But I do feel like joining someone else's group is crappy. I would not do it and I while I have never made someone feel unwelcome, I don't appreciate them being there.

[WesternRacing]

2 hours ago, dekez said:

No I am not new to golf.

 

I am asking you "Why do you joint a threesome as a single? Dont you understand that they dont want you there?"  And your answer is: because the course lets me. Great. Perfectly fine answer.

 

"Hey guys, good news! They've added a single to our group!" <- These words have never been said.

 

A lot to unpack here.  First, that bolded part?  That’s a you problem/perspective that you’re projecting onto golfers at large.  And it’s not nearly as ubiquitous as you seem to think.  I’ve rarely ever felt that people didn’t want me there; in fact I’ve had many people tell me they really enjoyed playing with me and I’ve even been invited to some very nice private clubs as a result.  Further, I’ve never had an issue with a single joining my threesome, nor have any of my playing partners, ever.  In hindsight, there were a couple of folks who comported themselves poorly and after the fact I wished they had not joined, but that’s a few out of many, many singles that I’ve played with.

 

All that said, I could honestly give a rat’s ssa whether a threesome wants me there.  I’m not paying to play with them.  I’m paying to play the golf course and the golf course wants me there.  Luckily most golfers are very friendly, personable types who welcome meeting new people on the golf course.

[WesternRacing]

1 hour ago, dubbelbogey said:

Maybe it's a regional thing or a private/public thing, but here in Colorado, on the very wide mix of public courses I play, the overwhelming majority of the time, groups that book as a threesome will get a single added to their group. A twosome will get either another twosome or two singles. It's just the complete norm here and 99.999% of the time, this is expected and all involved know this.

 

 

Yup.  Not a regional thing.  I’ve played all over the country.  Singles pairing up with other golfers is the norm, pretty much everywhere, all the time, these days.

[JimmyC59]

35 minutes ago, WesternRacing said:

 

A lot to unpack here.  First, that bolded part?  That’s a you problem/perspective that you’re projecting onto golfers at large.  And it’s not nearly as ubiquitous as you seem to think.  I’ve rarely ever felt that people didn’t want me there; in fact I’ve had many people tell me they really enjoyed playing with me and I’ve even been invited to some very nice private clubs as a result.  Further, I’ve never had an issue with a single joining my threesome, nor have any of my playing partners, ever.  In hindsight, there were a couple of folks who comported themselves poorly and after the fact I wished they had not joined, but that’s a few out of many, many singles that I’ve played with.

 

All that said, I could honestly give a rat’s ssa whether a threesome wants me there.  I’m not paying to play with them.  I’m paying to play the golf course and the golf course wants me there.  Luckily most golfers are very friendly, personable types who welcome meeting new people on the golf course.

Well said.

Could not agree more!

[dubbelbogey]

3 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

It is incumbent upon the single not to be a jerk.  Sounds like you do (did) well.  My twosome had two singles join us this morning.  Neil and John, great guys.

True, and it is just as incumbent on the non-single group to not be jerks either - I hope that's just common decency, right?

[dekez]

10 hours ago, WesternRacing said:

 

A lot to unpack here.  First, that bolded part?  That’s a you problem/perspective that you’re projecting onto golfers at large.  And it’s not nearly as ubiquitous as you seem to think.  I’ve rarely ever felt that people didn’t want me there; in fact I’ve had many people tell me they really enjoyed playing with me and I’ve even been invited to some very nice private clubs as a result.  Further, I’ve never had an issue with a single joining my threesome, nor have any of my playing partners, ever.  In hindsight, there were a couple of folks who comported themselves poorly and after the fact I wished they had not joined, but that’s a few out of many, many singles that I’ve played with.

 

All that said, I could honestly give a rat’s ssa whether a threesome wants me there.  I’m not paying to play with them.  I’m paying to play the golf course and the golf course wants me there.  Luckily most golfers are very friendly, personable types who welcome meeting new people on the golf course.

Understood. There's not a lot to unpack.  Don't confuse tolerance with preference. If someone hosts me for dinner and cooks broccoli, I will tell them it's great. Thanks so much for cooking it. All the while thinking fugg me. The same applies here. Except you aren't even joining my group out of kindness.

 

It's very possible that my opinion is in the minority. But I'll wager if you asked someone would you rather play in your threesome or have some stranger added, the results would be lopsided.

 

Your giving a rats a** is precisely my point. It's all about you. Now, you can argue that my point of view is equally selfish. Fair enough. I practice what I preach, though. 

[Nard_S]

2 hours ago, dekez said:

It's very possible that my opinion is in the minority. But I'll wager if you asked someone would you rather play in your threesome or have some stranger added, the results would be lopside

Well, you're actually missing out on one of the best aspects of game, spending time with people you otherwise would not. From my experience either joining as a single or welcoming one has been lopsided to the upside.

[mongoosegolfer]

On 7/6/2025 at 8:29 AM, Shallowface said:

Online tee time system etiquette.

 

If you are a twosome looking for a tee time and there are open tee times available, don't book over top of someone who got there first.

 

And if there are no open times available, play someplace else.  Don't inflict yourselves upon someone and ruin their day in the process.

 

You really don't want to play with them.  And they really don't want to play with you.  Be considerate.  

4 player slots on a single tee time is the product the golf course is selling. Why do you feel you're entitled to pay for 50% or 75% of their product and get the entire thing?

If you're that insecure about your golf game that some random stranger watching you play for the day is going to throw you off that much, you really need to hit the range more. 

[Double Mocha Man]

4 hours ago, mongoosegolfer said:

4 player slots on a single tee time is the product the golf course is selling. Why do you feel you're entitled to pay for 50% or 75% of their product and get the entire thing?

If you're that insecure about your golf game that some random stranger watching you play for the day is going to throw you off that much, you really need to hit the range more. 

 

I'm fine with foursomes and with strangers.  But I was thinking, isn't that just an artificial construct?  God never said 4 people needed to be in a golf group...

 

 

 

 

Edited July 11 by Double Mocha Man

[parbung]

14 hours ago, WesternRacing said:

 

Yup.  Not a regional thing.  I’ve played all over the country.  Singles pairing up with other golfers is the norm, pretty much everywhere, all the time, these days.

makes sense logistically. 

otherwise, the course would be an absolute clusterf**k. 

Also, it makes no difference who's in my group as long as they're not disruptive. no one cares if you do your own thing. 

[WesternRacing]

4 hours ago, dekez said:

Understood. There's not a lot to unpack.  Don't confuse tolerance with preference. If someone hosts me for dinner and cooks broccoli, I will tell them it's great. Thanks so much for cooking it. All the while thinking fugg me. The same applies here. Except you aren't even joining my group out of kindness.

 

It's very possible that my opinion is in the minority. But I'll wager if you asked someone would you rather play in your threesome or have some stranger added, the results would be lopsided.

 

Your giving a rats a** is precisely my point. It's all about you. Now, you can argue that my point of view is equally selfish. Fair enough. I practice what I preach, though. 

 

No, it’s not about me.  It’s about golf.  It’s about the way golf courses sell space on their course.

 

Memo to you: entitlement costs money.  Pay the fee for it or don’t complain.

 

You did hit the nail on the head with your post though, given the name of this thread.

[nsxguy]

On 5/28/2025 at 2:59 PM, Forged4ever said:

I can count on three fingers the number of females that I would classify as a "Goddess," and Michelle ain't one of em

 

Maddie ?   

[LoganG663]

This is a very interested thread, enjoying all these takes! 

[Double Mocha Man]

4 minutes ago, LoganG663 said:

This is a very interested thread, enjoying all these takes! 

 

I hope you haven't read all 91 pages! Just the pages where I've made comments.

[retch10]

On 7/9/2025 at 8:19 PM, dekez said:

I understand your perspective. I don't play unless I have a foursome. Sometimes a threesome. Never as a single. I would feel like I am imposing on others. That's just me.

Trying to find a common time for three of my friends (who actually play) to be in the same spot at the same time is nearly impossible.  Its hard enough to find a common time for one or two.  When we can find a time, we do it.  Its rare. 

 

The easiest thing to do if I want to play is grab the clubs, head to the course and then hope that A) No one is on the tee and I can play alone, quickly or B) A decent group needs a 4th (and THEY invite me, to your point on imposing) or C)Another guy like me showed at the same time and is pretty good and a good guy and rather than continuing to wait on tees, we play together. 

 

[dekez]

50 minutes ago, retch10 said:

Trying to find a common time for three of my friends (who actually play) to be in the same spot at the same time is nearly impossible.  Its hard enough to find a common time for one or two.  When we can find a time, we do it.  Its rare. 

 

The easiest thing to do if I want to play is grab the clubs, head to the course and then hope that A) No one is on the tee and I can play alone, quickly or B) A decent group needs a 4th (and THEY invite me, to your point on imposing) or C)Another guy like me showed at the same time and is pretty good and a good guy and rather than continuing to wait on tees, we play together. 

 

This is the way.

[dekez]

21 hours ago, WesternRacing said:

 

No, it’s not about me.  It’s about golf.  It’s about the way golf courses sell space on their course.

 

Memo to you: entitlement costs money.  Pay the fee for it or don’t complain.

 

You did hit the nail on the head with your post though, given the name of this thread.

Doing my best to keep this site goin' man! 🙂

[Double Mocha Man]

2 hours ago, retch10 said:

Trying to find a common time for three of my friends (who actually play) to be in the same spot at the same time is nearly impossible.  Its hard enough to find a common time for one or two. 

 

The secret to my success is setting aside Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday to play golf with buddies. At a standing tee time of 10:00 a.m. . The other days of the week are for chores, errands, appointments and/or range sessions. This way everyone who wants to play can plan out their time well in advance. Those three days of the week for me are sacred and pretty much untouchable. For instance, today is Saturday and I'm going to pick up some brake fluid and buy a few groceries. And wash the car.

[Argonne69]

3 hours ago, dekez said:

This is the way.

 

 

[TiScape]

Watching the Scottish Open earlier. Commentator says “what a terrific golf shot”. Is it necessary to add ‘golf’? Is it not obvious/insinuated?? 
 

In baseball they don’t say ‘great baseball hit’. In football we never hear ‘what a great football throw’… 🤷🏼‍♂️

Edited July 12 by TiScape

[bscinstnct]

On 7/11/2025 at 7:07 AM, dekez said:

Understood. There's not a lot to unpack.  Don't confuse tolerance with preference. If someone hosts me for dinner and cooks broccoli, I will tell them it's great. Thanks so much for cooking it. All the while thinking fugg me. The same applies here. Except you aren't even joining my group out of kindness.

 

It's very possible that my opinion is in the minority. But I'll wager if you asked someone would you rather play in your threesome or have some stranger added, the results would be lopsided.

 

Your giving a rats a** is precisely my point. It's all about you. Now, you can argue that my point of view is equally selfish. Fair enough. I practice what I preach, though. 

 

Wut is so special about your group that you detest others joining it?

 

Dont you get bored of your dopey friends? 🤣🍻 And want someone new to join?

 

I’ve had a number of singles join groups I was in. Only one time was the guy an idiot!…

 

Black trousers, Titleist throughout the bag, Titleist hat, prolly had Titleist underwear 🤣. 
 

But otherwise always enjoyed meeting new folks. 

PS only here cause saw @TiScape avatar! Yes TiS there was a time I actually played quite a bit 🤣🍻

 

 

[WesternRacing]

9 hours ago, dekez said:

Doing my best to keep this site goin' man! 🙂

 

I’m gonna find you and join your threesome just to prove that a rando can be a good add to your group.  It’ll be a form of therapy for both of us.  😉

[DavePelz4]

On 7/11/2025 at 10:30 AM, Double Mocha Man said:

 

I'm fine with foursomes and with strangers.  But I was thinking, isn't that just an artificial construct?  God never said 4 people needed to be in a golf group...

 

 

 

 

 

God never had an issue with pace of play. His pace was always eternally perfect.

[SnowbirdTom]

1 hour ago, DavePelz4 said:

 

God never had an issue with pace of play. His pace was always eternally perfect.

Yeah, but even He couldn’t hit a 1 iron. 🤣

[Shallowface]

https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/my-unpopular-golf-opinion-its-time-to-outlaw-four-balls