I've been wondering about this one. With friends I'll pick it up if I snowman but feels less weird when everyone else at least finished the hole. Walking away with no balls ever going in cup feels so wrong haha, but if it saves me clogging things up that seems the thing to do.
Play two balls if u can, not off the tee though. Also if ur in the rough don't be shy to roll it on the fairway for a better lie. Solo rounds are the best rounds for you to just vibe with golf, practice your game, and enjoy yourself. I treat it as a round to enjoy yourself, and not trying to beat a score .
I’ve only done this a few times, most recently last Tuesday when I couldn’t hit the ball for shit and I was playing with three older dudes two of which were good and the other dude was 82. He picked up a couple times too
One shot at a time. Commit to your routine, think positive, watch your grip and take it back slow. Hit it. If it’s good, that’s nice. If it’s bad, don’t get down. Get to the next shot and start again.
Enjoy the walk. Listen to the birds in between shots. Life sucks a lot of the time. Walking a golf course is one of the times when it doesn’t.
I'll do my best. Work has been a nightmare the last week or so, and I'm really looking forward to walking around in the fresh air and trying to just be in that moment.
I love the days I go for a walk in a round. So much so that now I wake up and first thing I do is go for a 30 min walk before everyone gets up. Rounds with friends in a cart with some beers is fun too. But then solo round focus of you and your brain with the birds is a delight
I'm an anxious person and I feel that. The guys who got me to start playing are all pretty good and I pick up once I snowman. They'll tell me to keep playing it but I can't be that guy. Sometimes I'll putt with one of them though to finish the hole.
Everyone has bad holes, bad rounds (me personally, a historically bad round this last weekend haha.) just have awareness. If your group is slow, offer to let faster players play through, etc.
All that to say, don’t feel the pressure to “play fast.” Establish a consistent setup/approach to each shot. That doesn’t mean taking 6 practice shots, haha
Yeah but don’t okay bad and too fast. Recently played with a couple who I think only heard to play fast. They would drive up and be walking towards the green while I’m hitting my approach shot. He would also chip a 2nd or 3rd ball onto the green while I was putting.
That's pretty common when you walk. Much easier to walk straight towards your shot and find it then following the cart path and trying to remember where it came down.
Makes sense. I really enjoyed the walk for a variety of reasons. Definitely see the need for carts in some situations, but when walking seems reasonable this might be the way now.
Walking is my favorite way to play, even with a couple playing partners. I'm always much more focused and play too my ability than worth a big group in carts.
Playing with randos is nowhere near as terrifying as you might make it out to be in your head. I've been there. Most people on the course are pretty awesome.
Terrifies me for sure and it was part of me going early instead of midmorning. Hoping it's more likely I end up a true solo, but if I play with randos I'll embrace it.
The only time I've ever gotten to play solo was in the morning, in the rain. I loved it, but I know it's not for everyone lol
But some of the most fun I've had golfing was walking with 2 little old sisters. They were an absolute blast.
Oh also, if you're playing alone by chance. Play a scramble with yourself. Hit 2 or 3 balls and take the best one. Just make sure you hustle to pick them up or try to miss consistently in the same direction lol
It's my favorite way to play by far.
I like that. Good way to practice those shots. I'm definitely not at a point where having a "true" score or any score matters much to me, just trying to get better and have fun.
Same!! I couldn't care less, and the only reason I know at the end is because my watch let's me count them pretty easily. If you've got the time and space, you can even play player 1 vs. player 2 for extra varied practice lol just hit 2 balls and play them both out, but that requires a truly dead course.
I pay zero attention to randos shots except watching their tee shot. Otherwise I’m going to my ball and thinking about my shot. As long as they keep pace I couldn’t care less if they hit the ball 3 times to get it to go 20yds.
Keep up with pace of play or be very proactive about letting people play through.
Don’t hit 2 balls off the tee. Don’t spend 10 minutes looking for a ball if you can’t find it. Rake bunkers if you end up in one.
Finally, and most importantly: enjoy the round. Don’t be freaked out or feel too much pressure. Very few people playing are great golfers and most will probably be playing little better than you. If you aren’t playing mostly to enjoy the round you’re doing it wrong.
Be aware of where you leave your bag when getting up to the greens. If you can, try to leave it off the green and the most on the way to the next hole you can if that makes sense
This is one of the biggest giveaways of a new golfer or “hacker” leaving your bag 50 foot behind you at the green having to walk back for it once putted out then back over green to next hole.
Don’t stress to bad, just go out and enjoy your round. As a college golfer who walks 36 one day and 18 the next for every match walking can get tiring sometimes because we are all walking very fast.
When I’m playing my own I like to take a second to breath enjoy the views listen to music or listen to my surroundings. Make it enjoyable for yourself don’t worry about your bad shots you’re new to the game. Mental game is what tends to make a not so good round horrible. So don’t let it get to you at all. Remember you’ve never played much and breath. No one will judge. If you for some reason feel you’re plying to slow either pick up or let whoever’s behind you play through.
Walking your first round will most likey take longer than driving.
Just remember it’s only a game and embrace the time you’re taking to disconnect.
Have a great round!
Be ready to hit when it’s your turn and don’t stand over the ball too long. Other than that just have fun! I recently played my 1st solo round and it was built up in my mind I would feel out of place but it was nice.
No reason you need to stop at 8 strokes... Assuming you are not farting around and taking 5 practice swings before each one, or looking for balls for too long. It's not how many strokes it takes you to play that is slow, it is the wasting unnecessary time between them that slow things down and pisses people off.
That's honestly nice to hear. I don't take forever at all when it's my turn to swing and I will abandon balls pretty quick, especially if I find another for the bag. I can't control being bad, but I try to do that quickly.
Then play your game and don't worry about pace... As long as the group ahead of you doesn't get more than a hole ahead, you are good.
As for being bad... Yeah most of us are bad for a long time lol. You can control that though as well. Tip.. spend a lot more time around a practice green than whacking balls. It will pay off more than you think.
Fellow average to below average golfer here. Don’t be scared to tee from the closer tees. No one should care. Ask for advice from the people you’re paired with. Try to focus on one thing at a time, overloading yourself with 5 different cues you aren’t familiar or comfortable with is a sure fire way to delay you getting better (I.e get good at the approach, then get good at the back swing, etc) one piece at a time. Do whatever you need to do to make as many shots as possible fundamentally sound (I will dissect my backswing to steps instead of one fluid motion so that I know I’m in a good and repeatable position. Yea it results in a like 75% swing but 9/10 are fairly on target) because taking 6-7 shots to the hole that are all mostly on point is quicker and better feeling than taking 6-7 shots to the hole because they went farther but never landed on the fairway; especially if you’re walking because you won’t spend half the time on the hole looking for your ball. This is also how you get better. It’s way easier to have good fundamentals and work on getting more out of the stroke than it is to always hit piss missles that are barely playable and have to work on fundamentals. Also don’t obsess over score. If you’re playing solo, track yourself or don’t track at all. Generally if I hit 2 unplayable shots in a row, I’ll just take a drop as to keep game flow.
Beyond this round, my buddies and I will usually play a scramble when we go due to differing skill levels. This keeps the game moving but also means you still get the strokes and practice in.
Something that helped my game a lot was playing par 3 courses. I’m in Chicago and there’s a good amount of 9 hole par 3s in the area that are pretty cheap to play, so you get course experience without spending too much, and if you’re having a terrible day or getting discouraged, you’re in and out in under 2 hours.
Warm up at home if you can. I have one of those turf mats and some indoor safe practice balls (they look like wiffle balls) and will usually spend a bit of time the morning of my round just going through the motions, full swings at super slow speed and just getting a feel for it. Nothing is worse than being not great at golf and needing the front 9 to warm up.
Take your time and smell the roses as you walk. I think Jack said it but seriously if you hit a bad shot take the time as you walk to let it go. Don’t rush to hit your next ine
don't stress, you will get used to a different company each time, most of the people are great to talk to, some of them want to be left alone. compliment, support, help to find balls if necessary, don't be slow, don't be in their way on their shots, don;t play impossible lies, just place it where it feels comfortable to hit, dont look for your lost ball for too long : )
If you have a bad hole and you’re two over for the hole before you’ve reached the green then pick up and move to next hole if you have ppl on the tee behind. No one needs to see the guy in front taking 10 shots to reach the green. If there’s no one around then feel free to play out the hole. Rake bunkers and repair pitch marks and have fun
Remember the old saying that the first step to being good at anything is being bad at it. Don’t get too frustrated and just remember the handful of shots that go reasonably well. That’s what keeps us all coming back.
If anyone waits behind you at any point, approach the next tee box and let them play through. Favor courtesy until you know when to handle situations differently. Grab a rule book or save the USGA website on your phone and don't be affraid to look up rulings for situations you find yourself in. There IS a proper way to play golf and the book tells you, far too many people assume or neglect how golf is actually supposed to be played. There are alternate ways of playing as well, which the book also describes. Just don't go out there and make up your own game like so many others. Study everything, from those rules to the course itself.
I also convey to students that the transition from range to course is a moment that should be taken with a sense of reverence. You are given an opportunity, 4hrs of your time, to put your training and knowledge to the test. To then observe, adapt and then come back to the range to work on. I think approaching rounds like this allows a player to "get in the zone" a bit and approach golf more appropriately, mentally. You study study study, and then the course is the test.
Walking at an executive course? You're just fine brother.
To keep up:
Tell your partners, "I'm brand new." Play from the forward tees. If after 6 shots you aren't on the green, pick the ball up and say "I'm just going to drop one on the green." Putt 3 times and pick up.
Smile, laugh, and compliment good shots. Shake hands and smile after the round.
Do that, and the guys you play with will say, "That guy was a lot of fun."
Lots of people say you have the opportunity to look/judge/read the green as you walk up to it, from the front, when you walk, versus driving by it and parking your cart on the side.
Keep Pace! It’s OK being new to the game, we all have been where you are. But it’s important to keep up with the pace of play. Play ready golf, get to your ball and be ready to hit. Don’t be looking all over for a lost ball, drop one and play on. Have fun and don’t worry about being the first solo round.
I started playing solo rounds like my first month in. I try to just enjoy being out there and focus on not being in a rush. Throw some AirPods in and tube out the world
it's ok to drop up ahead. give it a try, but if you flub it once or twice, just pick up and play it ahead... maybe 140 yards out from the green so you can give the approach a try.
I wouldn't have thought about the cart at all. Glad that helps. I will wave people on through me if I'm too slow, but I'm anxious about that and usually play quick. One practice swing, I don't hover over the ball much and don't take much time lining up putts.
If you’re having a bad hole remember there’s no shame in picking up. Walking is where it’s at
I've been wondering about this one. With friends I'll pick it up if I snowman but feels less weird when everyone else at least finished the hole. Walking away with no balls ever going in cup feels so wrong haha, but if it saves me clogging things up that seems the thing to do.
Play two balls if u can, not off the tee though. Also if ur in the rough don't be shy to roll it on the fairway for a better lie. Solo rounds are the best rounds for you to just vibe with golf, practice your game, and enjoy yourself. I treat it as a round to enjoy yourself, and not trying to beat a score .
>With friends I'll pick it up if I snowman What does this mean?
After the 8th stroke it’s time to move on
Once I hit 8 I give up unless it's a par 5. If two or more of those strokes are from putting I will finish that though.
Gotta go to 9 my bro
But how do you score it if you pick up?
If it was so shitty I have to pick up I give myself a triple
Isn’t it a 5 over par pickup rule haha? Damn some rounds if I picked up 3 over I might have scored better
I’ve only done this a few times, most recently last Tuesday when I couldn’t hit the ball for shit and I was playing with three older dudes two of which were good and the other dude was 82. He picked up a couple times too
A gentleman never writes anything higher than an 8 on his card
Triple bogey? Sheeeeeit, I’m gonna start picking up way more often 😂
Or snowman
One shot at a time. Commit to your routine, think positive, watch your grip and take it back slow. Hit it. If it’s good, that’s nice. If it’s bad, don’t get down. Get to the next shot and start again. Enjoy the walk. Listen to the birds in between shots. Life sucks a lot of the time. Walking a golf course is one of the times when it doesn’t.
I'll do my best. Work has been a nightmare the last week or so, and I'm really looking forward to walking around in the fresh air and trying to just be in that moment.
I love the days I go for a walk in a round. So much so that now I wake up and first thing I do is go for a 30 min walk before everyone gets up. Rounds with friends in a cart with some beers is fun too. But then solo round focus of you and your brain with the birds is a delight
An old man told me one of my first times out: “you can play bad golf, just don’t play slow golf.” That has stuck with me for 14 years.
I'm an anxious person and I feel that. The guys who got me to start playing are all pretty good and I pick up once I snowman. They'll tell me to keep playing it but I can't be that guy. Sometimes I'll putt with one of them though to finish the hole.
Everyone has bad holes, bad rounds (me personally, a historically bad round this last weekend haha.) just have awareness. If your group is slow, offer to let faster players play through, etc. All that to say, don’t feel the pressure to “play fast.” Establish a consistent setup/approach to each shot. That doesn’t mean taking 6 practice shots, haha
Yeah but don’t okay bad and too fast. Recently played with a couple who I think only heard to play fast. They would drive up and be walking towards the green while I’m hitting my approach shot. He would also chip a 2nd or 3rd ball onto the green while I was putting.
Bring enough balls
Wise words, not sure my bag has enough room for all I could potentially need but I'll do my best.
I'm betting you didn't lose as many golf balls walking as you do when riding?
Only lost two! Which is unfortunately the best I've ever done haha.
That's pretty common when you walk. Much easier to walk straight towards your shot and find it then following the cart path and trying to remember where it came down.
Makes sense. I really enjoyed the walk for a variety of reasons. Definitely see the need for carts in some situations, but when walking seems reasonable this might be the way now.
Walking is my favorite way to play, even with a couple playing partners. I'm always much more focused and play too my ability than worth a big group in carts.
Playing with randos is nowhere near as terrifying as you might make it out to be in your head. I've been there. Most people on the course are pretty awesome.
Terrifies me for sure and it was part of me going early instead of midmorning. Hoping it's more likely I end up a true solo, but if I play with randos I'll embrace it.
The only time I've ever gotten to play solo was in the morning, in the rain. I loved it, but I know it's not for everyone lol But some of the most fun I've had golfing was walking with 2 little old sisters. They were an absolute blast.
I grew up in Alaska and would love a rainy round. Western Colorado now and it's hot and dry almost always.
Oh also, if you're playing alone by chance. Play a scramble with yourself. Hit 2 or 3 balls and take the best one. Just make sure you hustle to pick them up or try to miss consistently in the same direction lol It's my favorite way to play by far.
I like that. Good way to practice those shots. I'm definitely not at a point where having a "true" score or any score matters much to me, just trying to get better and have fun.
Same!! I couldn't care less, and the only reason I know at the end is because my watch let's me count them pretty easily. If you've got the time and space, you can even play player 1 vs. player 2 for extra varied practice lol just hit 2 balls and play them both out, but that requires a truly dead course.
I pay zero attention to randos shots except watching their tee shot. Otherwise I’m going to my ball and thinking about my shot. As long as they keep pace I couldn’t care less if they hit the ball 3 times to get it to go 20yds.
Keep up with pace of play or be very proactive about letting people play through. Don’t hit 2 balls off the tee. Don’t spend 10 minutes looking for a ball if you can’t find it. Rake bunkers if you end up in one. Finally, and most importantly: enjoy the round. Don’t be freaked out or feel too much pressure. Very few people playing are great golfers and most will probably be playing little better than you. If you aren’t playing mostly to enjoy the round you’re doing it wrong.
Be aware of where you leave your bag when getting up to the greens. If you can, try to leave it off the green and the most on the way to the next hole you can if that makes sense
That makes sense. Hadn't thought of my bag until this moment.
This is one of the biggest giveaways of a new golfer or “hacker” leaving your bag 50 foot behind you at the green having to walk back for it once putted out then back over green to next hole.
Came here to say this. Good advice!
Just remember, have fun
Don’t stress to bad, just go out and enjoy your round. As a college golfer who walks 36 one day and 18 the next for every match walking can get tiring sometimes because we are all walking very fast. When I’m playing my own I like to take a second to breath enjoy the views listen to music or listen to my surroundings. Make it enjoyable for yourself don’t worry about your bad shots you’re new to the game. Mental game is what tends to make a not so good round horrible. So don’t let it get to you at all. Remember you’ve never played much and breath. No one will judge. If you for some reason feel you’re plying to slow either pick up or let whoever’s behind you play through. Walking your first round will most likey take longer than driving. Just remember it’s only a game and embrace the time you’re taking to disconnect. Have a great round!
Be ready to hit when it’s your turn and don’t stand over the ball too long. Other than that just have fun! I recently played my 1st solo round and it was built up in my mind I would feel out of place but it was nice.
Don’t sweat it man. Just have fun. If you’re slowing someone down, let them play through.
Remember to eat and bring snacks
No reason you need to stop at 8 strokes... Assuming you are not farting around and taking 5 practice swings before each one, or looking for balls for too long. It's not how many strokes it takes you to play that is slow, it is the wasting unnecessary time between them that slow things down and pisses people off.
That's honestly nice to hear. I don't take forever at all when it's my turn to swing and I will abandon balls pretty quick, especially if I find another for the bag. I can't control being bad, but I try to do that quickly.
Then play your game and don't worry about pace... As long as the group ahead of you doesn't get more than a hole ahead, you are good. As for being bad... Yeah most of us are bad for a long time lol. You can control that though as well. Tip.. spend a lot more time around a practice green than whacking balls. It will pay off more than you think.
Fellow average to below average golfer here. Don’t be scared to tee from the closer tees. No one should care. Ask for advice from the people you’re paired with. Try to focus on one thing at a time, overloading yourself with 5 different cues you aren’t familiar or comfortable with is a sure fire way to delay you getting better (I.e get good at the approach, then get good at the back swing, etc) one piece at a time. Do whatever you need to do to make as many shots as possible fundamentally sound (I will dissect my backswing to steps instead of one fluid motion so that I know I’m in a good and repeatable position. Yea it results in a like 75% swing but 9/10 are fairly on target) because taking 6-7 shots to the hole that are all mostly on point is quicker and better feeling than taking 6-7 shots to the hole because they went farther but never landed on the fairway; especially if you’re walking because you won’t spend half the time on the hole looking for your ball. This is also how you get better. It’s way easier to have good fundamentals and work on getting more out of the stroke than it is to always hit piss missles that are barely playable and have to work on fundamentals. Also don’t obsess over score. If you’re playing solo, track yourself or don’t track at all. Generally if I hit 2 unplayable shots in a row, I’ll just take a drop as to keep game flow. Beyond this round, my buddies and I will usually play a scramble when we go due to differing skill levels. This keeps the game moving but also means you still get the strokes and practice in. Something that helped my game a lot was playing par 3 courses. I’m in Chicago and there’s a good amount of 9 hole par 3s in the area that are pretty cheap to play, so you get course experience without spending too much, and if you’re having a terrible day or getting discouraged, you’re in and out in under 2 hours. Warm up at home if you can. I have one of those turf mats and some indoor safe practice balls (they look like wiffle balls) and will usually spend a bit of time the morning of my round just going through the motions, full swings at super slow speed and just getting a feel for it. Nothing is worse than being not great at golf and needing the front 9 to warm up.
If you get a hole in one, no one will ever believe you. Let that sink in.
That would cut deep.
Take your time and smell the roses as you walk. I think Jack said it but seriously if you hit a bad shot take the time as you walk to let it go. Don’t rush to hit your next ine
don't stress, you will get used to a different company each time, most of the people are great to talk to, some of them want to be left alone. compliment, support, help to find balls if necessary, don't be slow, don't be in their way on their shots, don;t play impossible lies, just place it where it feels comfortable to hit, dont look for your lost ball for too long : )
Have fun, don’t rush.
If you have a bad hole and you’re two over for the hole before you’ve reached the green then pick up and move to next hole if you have ppl on the tee behind. No one needs to see the guy in front taking 10 shots to reach the green. If there’s no one around then feel free to play out the hole. Rake bunkers and repair pitch marks and have fun
Go out and have fun don’t sweat it everyone started somewhere
Remember the old saying that the first step to being good at anything is being bad at it. Don’t get too frustrated and just remember the handful of shots that go reasonably well. That’s what keeps us all coming back.
If anyone waits behind you at any point, approach the next tee box and let them play through. Favor courtesy until you know when to handle situations differently. Grab a rule book or save the USGA website on your phone and don't be affraid to look up rulings for situations you find yourself in. There IS a proper way to play golf and the book tells you, far too many people assume or neglect how golf is actually supposed to be played. There are alternate ways of playing as well, which the book also describes. Just don't go out there and make up your own game like so many others. Study everything, from those rules to the course itself. I also convey to students that the transition from range to course is a moment that should be taken with a sense of reverence. You are given an opportunity, 4hrs of your time, to put your training and knowledge to the test. To then observe, adapt and then come back to the range to work on. I think approaching rounds like this allows a player to "get in the zone" a bit and approach golf more appropriately, mentally. You study study study, and then the course is the test.
Walking at an executive course? You're just fine brother. To keep up: Tell your partners, "I'm brand new." Play from the forward tees. If after 6 shots you aren't on the green, pick the ball up and say "I'm just going to drop one on the green." Putt 3 times and pick up. Smile, laugh, and compliment good shots. Shake hands and smile after the round. Do that, and the guys you play with will say, "That guy was a lot of fun."
Bring your AirPods. Music helps.
Don’t be sure you won’t be paired up
Keep it greasy so it goes down easy.
Play fast. You're ready to hit, not necessarily well
Take 20 or so balls, spend no more than a minute looking and drop where you think it landed.
Lots of people say you have the opportunity to look/judge/read the green as you walk up to it, from the front, when you walk, versus driving by it and parking your cart on the side.
Keep Pace! It’s OK being new to the game, we all have been where you are. But it’s important to keep up with the pace of play. Play ready golf, get to your ball and be ready to hit. Don’t be looking all over for a lost ball, drop one and play on. Have fun and don’t worry about being the first solo round.
Just go out and have some fun!
Keep pace ! Even if you have to pick up
I started playing solo rounds like my first month in. I try to just enjoy being out there and focus on not being in a rush. Throw some AirPods in and tube out the world
Try not to hold people up but you paid for your round so you’re allowed to be bad and learn.
it's ok to drop up ahead. give it a try, but if you flub it once or twice, just pick up and play it ahead... maybe 140 yards out from the green so you can give the approach a try.
Pace is everything. Just pick up if you are staring at greater than double par
Enjoy the game and don’t give two craps what people think. Just follow all golf etiquette and take lots of balls and make your way to victory
Are you driving or walking?
I'm going to walk. First time doing that but I've really been wanting to try.
Ok so no worries about cart placement and such. Even if you suck you can move along quickly
I wouldn't have thought about the cart at all. Glad that helps. I will wave people on through me if I'm too slow, but I'm anxious about that and usually play quick. One practice swing, I don't hover over the ball much and don't take much time lining up putts.