I think there are HUGE cultural differences between countries on this matter.

In Denmark, if you're a club member, you pretty much just book at time when it suits you, no matter if there are other players in that time-slot or not.

It is mostly "accepted", that when you go for a round of golf and you are less than a four-ball, you could end up playing with people you don't know - like it or not.

This has of course cultivated a generally very good atmosphere in situations like that. People don't mind. Some "socialize" more than others, but you get a game if you want one.

That said, nothing is worse than playing with a slow, sketchy high-handicapper ... oh wait - something IS worse ... BEING that slow sketchy high-handicapper feeling that you are wasting everybody elses time by dragging your feet 'round the course. I know that feeling all too well, and even though your playing partners seem not to mind, it still feels like youre the biggest idiot in the world, and that does NOT help your game at all.

Playing alone quickly becomes an interesting alternative. However, playing alone is not "golf". It's whacking the ball around the course. Nobody there to validate your score, nobody to learn from, nobody to talk to, nobody to have that VERY tasty beer at the 19th hole with ... And with no validated scorecard, your handicap stays at a billion and a half.

Here's my suggestion:

When booking a timeslot, ask the pro-shop (or look yourself if it is possible) for a timeslot with other high-handicappers. Playing with other people at the same skill-level is by far the most comfortable way to play golf. You will not feel like you are the ball-and-chain around their ancles and neither will they.

That said, you WILL learn more from better players, but you also risk learning the WRONG things at the WRONG time. A high-handicapper is much better off trying to learn to hit it straight, then trying to repeat the draw shot that your handicap 7 playing partner wants to teach you.

But serisously - everybody has been a hacker at some point. Don't worry about that. Get out on the course and PLAY!

__________________
//Mox
2008 bag:
Mizuno MX-500 460cc 10.5* Fujikura Tour Platform 26.3 stiff. (about to be replaced by MP-600 10,5* UST Proforce V2 stiff)
Mizuno F-50 3w 15* Fujikura Tour Platform 26.3 stiff.
Wilson Deep Red 5w 18* Graphalloy Fatshaft stiff
Cleveland HALO 3i hybrid 22* graphite regular
Mizuno MP-60e forged 5i-PW True Temper Dynamic gold R300 steel
Mizuno MP Black OX raw haze 50/6 GW, 54/9 SW, 58/10 LW
Heavy Putter B3-M
Titleist NXT Extreme