Playing by yourself

I hope this doesn't sound dumb, but I was just wondering if any of you ever just play 18-holes by yourself. I know it's alot more fun playing with buddies, but unfortunately all mine are out of town at their colleges. I did,however, join a group that plays every thursday mornings beginning March 30th. The thing is, I want to kind of practice and get used to the golf course I'll be playing at.

I've been dying to play a full 18 since Summer (when I was in Thailand) but haven't had enough money to. Just recently, I got a job and with my first paycheck I joined my local golf course as a Patron Card member and now it's only $16 a week to play 18 - I'm thinking about playing tomorrow, but just feel iffy on playing by myself.

I think my main concern is losing the balls -I tend to keep my head down well after the ball is gone.

I usually go to the club by myself (usually a last minute decision), but the pro shop is usually good about filling up groups. So it is very rare that I end up playing alone.

It has been only a few rounds that I start and end the round alone (first person on the course - no groups to join).

doesnt sound dumb matt i have been playing 18 holes once a week since i started playing just over 12 months ago. sure its more fun playing in a group and that bit of competition sharpens your focus but i like my solo rounds because theres no peer pressure and you can hit a couple of different shots on each hole if no group following.
good luck

I'll often play by myself.

It's a great chance to work some things out on the course that you never see at the driving range, and a chance to learn your greens, to see what clubs work best from where, that kind of thing.

Like you say, it's fun to go around with your friends, but you can learn alot by playing with yourself.

PS: Take a few more balls than normal. You're apt to lose a few.

thanks for the response guys - I must have really overthought this - I had a dream just last night about playing golf, I think it's meant to be - I'll go make a tee time

thanks again and I'll let you know how I did. take care.

Im a firefighter, so i have 2 days off between each work shift, so I dont really have weekends, so its not out of the ordinary to go by myself. I find I do better when Im by myself

i do better by myself and when there is no one on the course where i can go at my own pace and not stop and wait on other people to hit

i enjoy playing by myself , you can relax and not worry about other players, some of my best scores have been when playing myself. a game with the mates is always good.but a practice round to try different shots and work on the swing can be fun too

Where I live it is too busy to even think of playing by yourself. I too would lose a lot of balls, but if the course wasn't so busy I could try different shots!

James
Toronto, Canada

Man, it's good to hear other people have been thinking the same thing.

I played earlier today around 11am - joined a group of two guys who knew eachother and two other guys who played by themselves - pretty interesting how the two guys who came by theirselves played incredible (one guy shot an 82 on the par 70) - and the guys that were together played terrible.

So I was the youngest, 20 yrs old, out of the whole bunch - but these guys were really nice and it was just a whole bunch of fun.

I finished the LONG day (11am - 5pm, ultra slow people ahead) with a nice 100 for the par 70, not too bad considering I haven't played a full 18 since Summer. I also had one of the best putts and best drives of my life.

The putt was a par save, right on the fringe and the hole collapsed to the left from the right side - I aim just left of a leaf that was about 12 feet right and just stroked a beauty as the ball trickled down right to left and plopped into the hole,felt great.

As for the drive, it was a downhill slope that raised up again as you approach the green - I had been hitting slices all day wiht my 580XD, finally I decided I'd just grip a bit lower (halfway) on the shaft. So I did that and that particular drive was a beauty - sailing for over 280 yards (I know this because to the pin it was only 320 and I was left with a nice 40yd pitch) unfortunately I came out of there with a bogey 5 after a pushed putt.

Anyway, tee time is at 7:50 AM - then work at 5pm
maybe I"ll actually get to play by myself this time around, doubtful as it is Saturday morning. Hope all is well guys and take care.

Hi Matt,

Well like most people who have responded, I too play by myself. Sometimes for me its great being by yourself as you can really focus on improving your game. I also feel less pressure because no ones watching my every move and commenting about your swing. It is also a great chance to try new things out but mainly to have fun and be more relaxed.

I have now just started trying to get my mind in focus for presure when I am by myself. An example of this is to challange myself by putting targets and rewards for my achievements ie get 2 birdies in 18 then I will splash out on a new music cd if I dont do it then no cd etc. Now this probably sounds a bit sad but I have found it really help full especially when teeing off the 1st with people watching.

Hope it helps

Cheers
Mark

Hi
I play by myself a lot of the time as I have very few girlfriends who play and the ladies at my club meet when I am working. It is good as I can play at my own rhythm and concentrate on what I want to improve. It is a bit lonely at times particularly in winter when it is really grey out there.
When it is very busy and I am queing with loads of men watching me tee off, I feel under pressure as I am not driving far and my swing is not very good but the positive result is that it teaches me to handle the pressure and not worry about what other people might think.

Hi Matt,

I have played by myself many times. I played nine today by myself. I usually play better when I'm alone, less pressure I guess. I also noticed I play much better when I play with real good golfers.

As others have mentoined when you are by yourself you can try some new stuff without getting unwanted advice.

The major problem as you know is trying to follow your ball after you hit it. On the ninth hole at the course I played at today the sun was in my face. It was totally impossible to see the ball after I hit it. So I hit three off the tee, I figured I would find one of the three. I found all three, I got blessed and hit all three right down the middle of the fairway.

I live in Florida, not many golfers out there in the afternoon in the summer time. I get to play by myself a lot in the summer, I enjoy it. I also enjoy playing with a group. I enjoy golf, so it doesn't matter if I'm alone or with a hundred other golfers. Golf is a great game. Enjoy!!!

Tom