How to get the course all to yourself.

[paddlefoot]

My dad is a beginner and he doesn't like being paired up with other folks when we play. Early this morning (around 7:30AM) we went to play 9 holes. I asked if we could play the back nine (basically just to keep from being paired). When we went to the 10th hole, there was no one in sight because all of the 4-somes had just started and were still way behind us.

It was a pretty fun half round...I enjoyed taking my time and not worrying about holding anyone up....

[kpaulhus]

Most courses in my area wolnt let us do that for some reason. My GF doesnt like to hold up people when she plays so usually she gets me all mad cuz she isnt having a good round and it throws me off my game.

[DavidFehertysBike]

The best time to have a round where you dont really have to worry about holding anybody up is late afternoon or twlight on the weekends, and mornings during the weekdays.

[clearwaterms]

I also enjoy playing when the course is empty becauses it is an excellent opportunity to try different things. This morning I played 9 holes and there were several instances when I might have hit 2 or 3 extra balls just to practice / try different things. I generally don't keep score. My partner and I generally will yell out the score we each shot, but truth be told, neither of us expect to add it up at the end.

[Ash1974]

Me and my golf buddy don't like being paired most of the time, we normally play at around 10:30am but last Saturday due to him needing to be home early we tee'd off at 07:30 and only one 2 ball in front of us and no one behind for ages, it was great, took our time when we needed to and no hold ups when we were going well

Needless to say the next 2 weeks are booked for 07:30
Now this means getting up at 06:30 on the range for 07:00 and on the course for 07:30, but means we are off about 11:15am and home to spend the rest of our Saturday with our young families

[hkmp5]

I tee off as soon as it gets light out around 6:15 am here in Oregon,
The coarse is not even open yet but they let me go and have me pay at the turn or after the round, I can by myself get 18 holes in before 8 am. (self employed)
no one is on the coarse and you get to see the sun rise nothing better in my opinon, I do it 5 days a week. and play different coarses with my buddies on the weekends all with early as possible tee times.

[kpaulhus]

6:15am!?!?! How do you deal with all the morning dew on the ground?

[hkmp5]

6:15am!?!?! How do you deal with all the morning dew on the ground?

The ball still rolls just fine, playing in all kinds of conditions helps in the long run. the front nine is slow the back is mowed. I would rather play with the dew then get stuck behind slow play.

[is2linda]

Yeah i usually play back 9 with my dad in the morning and its usually quiet. Plus the players that play back nine are usually experienced club member players and generally play the course super fast. I love playing in the morning during the summer, because the temperature is cool, not many people, and its cheaper.

[flanagan]

6:15am!?!?! How do you deal with all the morning dew on the ground?

Other than needing good shoes, what's the problem with the dew? Teed off Sunday 6:50 a.m., no one ahead, had a relaxing 15 minute break/snack at the turn, done at 9:35 a.m. What could be better?

[flopdarock]

to the OP... if you or a playing partner is a beginner to the game... or a very slow player...
i dont recommend playing really early in the morning...
heck ive booked first of the morning tee times and was asked by the staff if i was a beginner and what my hcp and usual time to complete 18 was...
the reason being is... the guys that get first tees set the pace for the whole day...
at the course i work at most of the guys early in the morning are very good/fast players...

i think the best bet to get a course all to yourself is to call the proshop and ask when the best time for their particular course for a beginner to play...
ive also noticed that around 10:30... 11:00am is when there is a noticeable gap in play cuz alot of ppl wanna get a round in before twilight rates or wait till twilight rates kick in at 1pm... its also lunch time... so youre either already out on the course... done with your round... or going to eat lunch first and get there right in time for twilight rates to kick in...
if the course is really busy... might as well go then since play will probably be pretty slow anyways...
or go when the weather is crappy... i know my course is always open even if there is only 1 guy out with rain gear on... its only closed on christmas day... lol
another thing you might consider is taking him to a beginners course so you dont mind if a guy is worse than whoever the beginner is...

btw... i deal with this often when i play with my girl... she hates playing with anyone cuz she gets embarassed even if she plays better than whoever we get paired with