‘Playing Golf Solo’ is a guest article from Pinpoint … a company whose innovative App combines strokes gained analytics with GPS technology, enabling golfers of all abilities to analyse their game across all facets (driving, approach, short game, putting, etc.), from which goals can be set and (hopefully) improvements will follow.
Whether you are looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle or want to focus on perfecting your game without distractions, like anything else, playing golf alone has its pros and cons. It all depends on your taste, but depending on your choices, some may not be suitable for golfing alone. Some golf courses prohibit solo play during peak hours, while others only permit partner play for safety reasons.
Benefits of playing solo golf include …
Play Better
Whenever you play golf with other people, there is always competition, which can make you play better or worse, but it can keep you from fully concentrating on the game. The feeling of being alone on the track, entirely focused on the task at hand, and not feeling embarrassed when you miss a shot or playing to impress anyone, is completely liberating. Pressure affects everyone, but those who tend to play a little better with pressure can also benefit from playing solo.
Avoid Distractions
We now live very busy and distracted lives thanks to our smartphones, constantly monitoring new emails, WhatsApp, and Facebook notifications. Urban areas are always congested, workplaces can be chaotic and noisy, and air quality can be poor. Spending time alone on the golf course can be truly peaceful and serene. Spend time alone with nature and forget all your worries while enjoying the beautiful scenery and fragrance such as the scent of fresh grass.
Faster Play
People spend most of their time playing golf listening to the sounds of other people’s balls and sinking putts. One of the worst things about playing 3-ball or 4-ball is that it can take a very long time to complete a round and everyone is so busy these days that if you finish too early it can be a big deal. That may result in loss. That said, playing solo is much more agile if you have not fallen behind the group in front, though they should let you play through.
Better Opportunities
If you are alone on the course, you can start your practice shots much further and improve your game. Other players cannot catch you after 3 or 4 strokes because it takes a lot longer to play each hole. When you are playing in a group, you are sometimes in a hurry because you do not want anyone to wait because of you. Consistently rehearsing your problem shots and practising your game alone will keep you away from the worry about who is with you or behind you.
Performance Beyond Driving Range
The driving range is a great place to work on your swing, strength, and overall style, but it is far from reality. Hitting the ball off the perfect mat or hitting the same ball over and over at the same bay helps a lot, but nothing beats the reality of the golf course. To play golf well, you need to know how to hit the ball through different playing conditions such as rough and various basements, obstacles, uphill or downhill.
A More Relaxed Game
Golf is a fun game. One day you will play like Scottie Scheffler and never miss a golf ball. The next day, you might play terribly! The extreme variation often occurs when you play with new friends and are petrified to humiliate yourself. When you play alone it withdraws the pressure of other people judging you on your skill with your set of golf clubs.
Eliminating anxiety allows you to easily anticipate and focus on the next shot. However, you do not take your bad shots that seriously, and you really should do a couple or two when you are more relaxed.
Extra Time
Playing golf with friends means you do not have time to work on your game. You hit your shot and keep going so you do not hold others waiting on the course. Playing solo, you will have plenty of moments to mulligan or hit different practice shots.
Practice on the course allows you to improve your game and is completely different from the practice range. There are other obstacles, angles, and slopes. In addition, you must consider wind, humidity, and temperature.
Walk-Off
There are rounds where you are not quite ready. Maybe you are just really frustrated or just plain exhausted. When you play with others, you do not want to be that guy and walk off mid-round. However, playing alone allows you to do whatever you want. If you decide to go off the mid-round on the 12th hole, you can go and you cannot be answerable to anybody.
But of course, there are disadvantages to playing solo golf, including …
Solo Play
A solo player has no/limited rights on the golf course, as compared to groups. Even though a group would take much longer than the solo player to complete each hole, they must allow them to play first. So, a solo player must have patience.
Playing Through
Playing through in a group can, at times, be stressful … but it can be much more stressful when you are on your own. Because the other groups may find you weird for playing golf solo. And if you happen to hit a bad shot when waived by the group ahead to play through, it can be very embarrassing for sure and increase the pressure on you!
Solo Players
There are many golf courses that do not permit solo players, or allow them only to play at off-peak hours. Most golf courses rightly give priority to their members who are playing in groups and some courses prefer visitors or societies who typically play in groups.
Scorecard
When playing golf solo, you are unable to submit your score for the purposes of inputting to the world handicap system and re-calculating your handicap. Playing by yourself, no matter how far you improve your game, counts for little … so to make it official on your scorecard and thus your handicap, you must play in a group.
Stagnation & Stigma?
Though at times you might enjoy the solitude, playing by yourself on the same golf course again and again, without company or competition can possibly result in stagnation.
Just as there is a little social stigma about going to a movie or a restaurant alone, the same holds true for playing golf alone. Most people find it odd to see solo players and may judge you negatively.
Conclusion
There is no question that playing golf, either in a group or as a solo player has so many positives. As a sport, golf is a great way to spend time with your companions and family … but what on the off chance that you are single or hitting the course alone? Being alone on the course is still a great way to spend a few hours, especially when the sun shines brightly! Not only can you focus on your golf but also enjoy the peace and solitude.
If you wish to play golf alone then just remember that you simply can do it.
The Nineteenth
I hope you have enjoyed this guest article from Pinpoint.
If you wish to learn more about Pinpoint and their Strokes Gained App, please visit …
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