Yes, you absolutely can play golf by yourself. Playing golf alone is not only allowed but has become an increasingly popular way for golfers of all skill levels to enjoy the game. Whether you are a single golfer looking for quiet time or someone trying to fit a few holes into a busy schedule, one person golfing is a perfectly fine way to experience the course.
The Rise of the Solo Golfer
Golf is often seen as a social sport, something best shared with friends or colleagues. However, the game’s fundamental nature—a competition against the course itself—makes it perfectly suited for solitary play. Many golfers are discovering the profound benefits of solitary golf round experiences.
Why More People Are Choosing Solo Golf
The modern pace of life often makes coordinating four players difficult. Solo golf offers freedom and flexibility that group play cannot match.
- Scheduling Freedom: You play when you want, for as long as you want. No need to wait for others to be free.
- Pace of Play: You set your own speed. If you want to move fast, you can. If you want to linger on a beautiful hole, you can do that too.
- Focus and Improvement: When you are not chatting, your focus sharpens. This quiet time is excellent for isolating flaws in your swing.
- Mental Game Development: Playing alone forces you to manage your own emotions. There is no one to commiserate with or distract you from a bad shot.
Is It Okay to Golf Alone? Dispelling Myths
A common concern for new or hesitant single golfer players is whether it is okay to golf alone. The simple answer is yes. Most courses welcome one person golfing, especially during off-peak hours.
Many golfers worry about slowing down the pace of play for others. However, if you play quickly and follow the rules, your presence as a single golfer should not be an issue. Golf clubs want to see traffic on the course, and one person playing is better than an empty tee slot.
How to Book a Tee Time for One Person Golfing
Booking a tee time for yourself is simple. You just need to know the right terminology and approach.
Requesting a Slot as a Single Golfer
When you call the pro shop or book online, you usually select the number of players. Choosing “1” is perfectly acceptable.
Navigating Peak vs. Off-Peak Times
Courses often group single golfer players together during busy times to maximize space.
- Peak Hours (Morning/Early Afternoon): The course might pair you with another single golfer or a twosome to fill a group of four. Be prepared for this. It can actually be a great way to meet new people!
- Off-Peak Hours (Late Afternoon/Twilight): These times are ideal for playing golf alone. You have a much higher chance of having the entire course to yourself. This is the best time for playing a quick round alone.
The Walker’s Advantage
If you enjoy walking the course alone, you often have an advantage when booking. Walking takes up less space on the course than a cart, making it easier for the starter to slot you in. Walking the course alone offers a unique connection to the game.
Enhancing Your Solo Golf Experience
Playing golf alone offers unique opportunities for personal growth and enjoyment that group play often obscures.
Focus on Process, Not Score
When you are not worried about keeping up with others, you can really concentrate on how you are playing. This is the perfect setup for deep practice.
Deep Dive into Practice Shots
Practicing golf solo means every shot becomes a deliberate lesson. You are not rushing to the next ball just because your partner is ready.
- Pre-Shot Routine Consistency: Use the quiet time to cement a perfect pre-shot routine. Slow down and execute it exactly the same way every time, whether it’s a 300-yard drive or a three-foot putt.
- Intentional Practice: Focus on one thing per shot. For example, “On this drive, I will only focus on my balance.” The next shot might be: “I will focus only on my tempo.”
The Advantage of Speed and Flow
For many, playing a quick round alone is a major draw. If you play at a brisk pace, you can often complete 18 holes in under three hours, sometimes even faster if the course is empty.
Tips for Playing a Quick Round Alone:
- Skip the Cart: Walking is usually faster, as you don’t waste time maneuvering a cart around hazards or waiting for a partner to locate their ball.
- Limit Searches: Adopt a “three-minute rule” for lost balls. If you cannot find it quickly, drop a new ball and move on.
- Putt Out: Unless the course is busy behind you, putt out every hole. This is good for rhythm, even if the score doesn’t matter.
Golf Etiquette for One: Respecting the Course and Others
Even when one person golfing, standard golf etiquette still applies. In fact, when you are by yourself, you become solely responsible for maintaining the course’s flow and condition.
Pace of Play: Be Mindful of Groups Behind You
This is the most crucial part of golf etiquette for one. If you are flying around the course, that is great. But if you are slow, you hold up everyone behind you.
- Keep Up: Always be ready to hit when it is your turn. If you are searching for a ball or taking a long time lining up a putt, let faster groups play through.
- Yielding the Right of Way: When you see a group approaching your position, move to the side of the path or stand clear of the green so they can play their shots without distraction.
Course Care When Playing Alone
Since there is no one else to pick up your divots or rake your bunkers, you must be diligent.
- Divots: Replace divots immediately on the fairway. If the turf is torn up, fill the spot with the sand/seed mix provided on the cart path or use loose turf.
- Bunkers: Rake every bunker you enter, making sure to smooth your footprints and the area where your club entered the sand.
- Ball Marks: Repair every pitch mark you see on the greens, not just your own. This shows respect for the course conditions for the next player, whether they are in a group or a single golfer.
The Mental Landscape of Solitary Golf Round
The psychological aspect of solitary golf round play is often cited as its greatest reward. It is meditative and revealing.
Self-Reliance in Competition
When playing golf alone, you are your only competition. You must motivate yourself after a bad hole. You have to celebrate your good shots internally. This builds strong mental fortitude.
- Internal Dialogue: You learn to control your internal conversation. There is no one to complain to, so you must find solutions yourself.
- Focus Purity: The quiet allows you to hear the sounds of nature—the wind, the birds, the satisfying thud of a well-struck ball. This sensory input can be deeply calming.
The Experience of Walking the Course Alone
For those who love to walk, walking the course alone is almost spiritual. You move at your own pace, covering the distance between shots thoughtfully.
Benefits of Walking Alone:
| Aspect | Group Play Implication | Solo Walk Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness | Pacing dictated by the slowest player/cart use. | Control over speed; can power-walk between shots. |
| Observation | Distracted by conversation. | Time to notice wildlife, landscape, and course architecture. |
| Reflection | Social interaction dominates time between holes. | Uninterrupted time for strategic thinking or simply clearing the mind. |
Advanced Solo Practice Techniques
If your goal is strictly improvement, practicing golf solo allows for specific, repeatable drills that are awkward in a group setting.
Utilizing Practice Areas Effectively
Many golfers use the driving range for practice, but the course itself is the ultimate practice area for one person golfing.
On-Course Drills for the Single Golfer
- The “Play the Hole Twice” Drill: After finishing a hole, drop a second ball near where your first ball landed (or where you want the second shot to start). Play the hole again, trying to execute a different strategy or focus on a different swing aspect. This essentially doubles your on-course practice time.
- Full Course Strategy Simulation: Before you start, decide on a specific theme for the round (e.g., “Today, I will only play aggressive tee shots,” or “Today, I will never pull out a driver”). This structured approach turns a casual round into targeted training.
- Short Game Focus: When practicing golf solo, you can spend 20 minutes on one green working on chipping angles or speed control. No one is waiting for you to move on to the next tee box.
Mastering Course Management Alone
Course management is about decision-making under pressure. When playing golf alone, you simulate the pressure of competition by setting stakes for yourself.
- Example: “If I hit this approach shot into the water hazard, I must take a penalty stroke and then hit my next shot with an 8-iron, regardless of where my ball ended up.”
This self-imposed structure enhances learning during solitary golf round play.
Cart Etiquette When Playing Alone
While walking is ideal for the pace of solo golf, sometimes a cart is necessary due to distance, weather, or physical need.
Driving Etiquette in a Cart as a Single Golfer
Even with a cart, one person golfing must be mindful of where they drive it.
- Stay on Paths: When possible, keep the cart on marked paths. This is even more important when you are the only vehicle on the course, as course maintenance staff might not be expecting solo traffic patterns.
- Green Proximity: Drive the cart to the edge of the green, never onto the fringe or green itself. Park it behind the hole, facing the next tee box, so you can load up and leave immediately after putting out. This maximizes your pace during a playing a quick round alone.
Common Hurdles for the Single Golfer and Solutions
While playing golf alone has many upsides, there are a few minor challenges that need addressing.
| Challenge | Description | Solution for the Single Golfer |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of Feedback | No playing partner to give honest critique or encouragement. | Record swings on your phone during practice rounds. Bring a lesson plan. |
| Boredom/Distraction | Easy to lose focus without external stimuli. | Focus intensely on the process (routine, tempo). Bring an audio book for long walks between holes (if allowed). |
| Keeping Score | Forgetting to track strokes or penalties accurately. | Use a reliable golf app or smartwatch to track every stroke immediately after completion. |
| Competition Level | Less competitive drive than in a foursome. | Play against your best previous score or against a predetermined bogey goal. |
The Social Side of Solo Golf
It is a myth that one person golfing means zero social interaction. You often meet interesting people when you are paired up or when interacting with the starter.
Interacting with the Starter and Pro Shop Staff
The staff are your gateway to the course. Always be friendly and clear about your intentions when booking solo golf. They are more likely to accommodate a pleasant single golfer than a demanding one.
Joining Forces on the Course
If you are walking the course alone and come across another single golfer or a twosome that seems welcoming, it is perfectly acceptable to ask, “Mind if I join you for this nine?” Most golfers are happy to have company, especially if you are respectful of the existing pace. This flexibility is one of the hidden benefits of being a single golfer—you control when you socialize.
Final Thoughts on Playing Golf Alone
Can you play golf by yourself? Absolutely. Solo golf is a rewarding experience that taps into the core appeal of golf: personal challenge and connection with the outdoors. Whether you are practicing golf solo to fix a flaw, or simply playing a quick round alone to de-stress, the time spent playing golf alone is valuable. Embrace the quiet, respect the pace, and enjoy the rare opportunity to let the golf course speak directly to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Solo Golf
Q: Do I have to tip the starter if I am the only person in my group?
A: Tipping is always optional but appreciated. If the starter does a great job getting you out quickly or finding you a good time slot, a small tip for their service is a nice gesture, just as you would for a larger group.
Q: What is the best time of day for playing a quick round alone?
A: Late afternoon, usually two hours before sunset (twilight hours), is often best. Fewer people are playing then, meaning you rarely have to worry about pace of play. Early weekday mornings can also be very quiet.
Q: How do I handle etiquette when I come up behind a slower group as a single golfer?
A: If you see a group ahead that is slow, finish your hole quickly. When you reach the group, simply wave them through. Say, “No problem at all, please go ahead.” This is standard golf etiquette for one and keeps everyone happy.
Q: Is there a major difference between practicing golf solo on the range versus the course?
A: Yes. The range lets you hit balls quickly without consequence. Practicing golf solo on the course forces you to manage lies, distances, wind, and mental pressure—all crucial elements missing at the range.
Q: What if I feel awkward being the only one person golfing?
A: Remember that everyone on the course is focused on their own game. Most golfers are entirely concerned with their score or their company. If you focus on your routine and golf etiquette for one, you will quickly forget any perceived awkwardness. Many courses see one person golfing daily.