Singles...ever ditched the group you were paired up with?

I was a single paired up with a 3some...we were first out at twilight and finishing the full 18 is completely feasible.  I make a conscious effort to speed up play because I know as the first group out we're setting the pace for everyone else.  I was the only one riding, everyone else walking.  First few holes everything was peachy, but I kinda noticed the guys I were playing with were taking their time...not walking briskly, not ready to hit.

Then the groups behind us, who were in carts, started catching up.  By the 6th hole there were two groups waiting to hit while we were on the green and nobody is in front of us for at least 3 holes.  I'm thinking to myself, "if I ditch my group, it will be reduced to a 3some, so that's some time shaved off there for everyone on the course behind us, and I get to rip ahead, meaning a shorter round for me."  Normally I like to play with other people so it was rather unfortunate that I had to do that.  So on the next hole, I told them that I'm going to split up.  They agreed and off I went to the next tee.

After I holed out on the 18 I went back to the hole I picked up on and finished up.  When I went to my car, I saw that the group I ditched were on pace to finish in 4 hours 20 minutes.  If I had stayed with them it probably would have been a 5 hour round.  The 3some I was with were pleasant to play with, but It would be nice if people who were the first few groups out at twilight played with a sense of ready golf...and if you want to play at your own pace and enjoy the day, play in a later group.

Why were you the only one riding?

Have you ever been asked to share a cart with someone (and pay 1/2) when you'd planned on walking? Sort of weird that they seemed to start off quickly then get caught by some carts though. Maybe they didn't appreciate having to run to catch the singleton rider, then slowed down so he'd trudle off on his own. Win win.

I hadn't thought of that. I've never actually played using a cart or in a group that had a cart so I didn't even think of that

Perhaps leave someone ride in it anyway since it had already been purchased and would be a nice/polite thing to do?

It's not up to the driver. As soon one of the walkers straps on his bag, he owes the course 1/2 the cart fee. Not the topic I know, but it seems at least somewhat relevant to the story. I've been the lone walker in a group on carts and even though we waited on every shot, it felt like I was running to catch up and wait after every drive and approach. It doesn't take any more or less time as a group when you're waiting to hit either way, but it sure was annoying (probably for them too).

Really? So if only 1 person wanted to use the cart it would be half the price of 2 people using it? I thought the renting of a cart would be the renting of a cart, regardless of the number of people using it. Sorry for the OT

I've done this when I was a single paired with a twosome who were both bad AND slow...and we had fallen way behind.  at the turn they wanted to grab lunch--that was my opportunity to politely split and play the back 9 solo.  (carts mandatory at this course...having my own cart allowed me to bail).

Usually courses charge you for 1/2 a rental. Our course it is $8 for 9 holes or $16 for 18 holes and that is for half the cart. You basically pay for your seat is another way to think of it.

I don't see a problem as long as you give them a polite heads up, "hey, i'm going to jump ahead.. need to be elsewhere at x:xx. nice playing with you."

No, but a two some asked to leave my two some on Saturday. My golf buddy and I get paired up with another twosome. Tee off is at 0630, we are the third group on the course and at the back tees. The twosome we get paired with are dressed in top of the line Asian golfing attire with the white long sleeved under armour stuff, skinny golf pants, white belts and all. They mention that they are beginners. I say "the course is easier from the white tees", but they want to play from the back. Anyhow, on the first hole, my golf bud and I are on the green in two. They both miss the green on their approaches, then both semi skull their balls well across and over the green into the rough on their chip shots. As they are walking to their missed chips, I putt out and end up tending the flag as they eventually putt out. One of the guys then says "why don't you all play ahead, you guys play faster". Music to my ears. Finished the round in 3hrs 15min.

Many years ago I was paired with a couple of guys walking who played out of the same bag.  They scored a collective 20 I'd guess on the first hole.  In front of us was a sixsome.  I turned around after I holed out, went back to the clubhouse, and got my money back.

I have been walking while other people in my group used a cart.  Sometimes it feels like I have to hurry to keep up with them but if there are people in front of us anyway I don't mind it.

I have had a few people ask me if I wanted to share their cart but I would not feel right doing that without going in and paying my part of the rental.

Yes lots of times. I have walked off the course after finishing 9 if the group I am with is ridiculously slow or heavy drinkers. It's not worth ruining my day to deal with such nonsense.

Out of all the times I have played by myself, a few were paired with others.  Each time the group I was playing with were good people and had no problems.  Very, very seldom do I see walkers around here.  Do see a lot of drinkers though.  I don't think I could play with a bunch of strangers that their sole purprose is to get blasted on the course.  I would have no problem leaving a group behind and taking off ahead if I new the course was clear and I could get well ahead and play completely solo.  I love playing by myself.

no big deal at all.  Heck, even Arnold Palmer and Rory Sabatini had to bail on their partners mid round.  If guys are that slow, tell them how slow they are and how they are ruining the game and then leave them in your dust.  They are not ready to hit their show when it's their turn!  Biggest reason for slow play right there.

Or you could just "Politely" move ahead.

why be polite (which I really would but...)  they are not being polite to an entire golf course waiting behind them. They are being the opposite of polite.  Slow players need to realize that being slow is being rude to the people behind you and saying to them their time is not as important as yours. 18 should never take more that 4 hours.  OK, I'll give you 4 hours and 20 minutes but that's it.  Just played last Friday at Scioto in Columbus OH.  Several groups were ahead of us, we had 4 players 2 of which were 20+ caps and we finished in a smooth 3 hours and 30 minutes. No rushing whatsoever. Just a normal nice pace of play.  Played again Yesterday at a different course in a  different state. 4th of July, 4 players, 3 hours and 50 minutes. It does not take 4:20 to play 18 holes of golf.  If it does either you or someone in your group is slow. (unless you are waiting on the goups in front of you all day)

It's funny, the golf digest article that was just published about slow play says that about 90% of players do not think they are slow.  The time it takes to 18 holes many days would suggest otherwise.  What it tells me is that slow people do not think they are slow.  And if they are never told they are slow things will never change.  I have always given a HUGE kudos to Sergio.  Unlike Ben Crane, Jim Furyk and John Holmes, he was told  he was slow and worked hard to change his ways. Those 3 could care less and they are killing the game, viewers and t.v. producers.

Because people cannot talk about golf being a gentleman's game and then be rude to others, that's why.