Finding People to Play with

[j_moo]

Usually play as a single, but as courses are getting more crowded, it's been harder to get on. Few courses and online sites allow single tee time booking. The uncertainty of walking on also doesn't help to put me in the right mind frame to play. Did have a golf buddy, but he moved recently.

Wondering if any of you are in similar situation and how are you dealing with it?

[Shindig]

I live not too far from you, so it depends where you play.

L.A. City courses allow singleton tee times. I play these regularly as a single.

You can also pick up singleton tee times from sites like C4TT and GolfNow. However, these usually have only one price, and it "includes" the cart - which, if you don't want, can be a problem.

Alternately, does the course in question charge for no-shows? If they won't take a tee time for a single, but will for two, and don't charge for a no-show, maybe register for two and your buddy consistently can't make it. I acknowledge this isn't fully honest, but it's a way to correct (for you) a bad policy.

[DaSportsGuy]

Just play a couple courses in the area that pair you into a foursome. Very easy to meet new people and find playing partners.

[senorchipotle]

i could be mistaken, but from what i've noticed, golfers and courses out west and up north seem to be more uptight about pairing up/singles than in the south and midwest. i can't think of any public courses off hand which i've played in the arklatex who would gripe about that.

[keb]

Two suggestions. Join your courses men's club. Great way to meet other golfers. Another way is go to the course same time and day of the week and join other groups. You will likely run into the same people and get to know them.

[Bastid]

Call the course ahead of time and tell them you're a single. No course will turn away a paying golfer if they have a spot for you.

Sad thing is, most courses here in Chicago also will not book a single. It's just one of those things...call ahead and do what you can.

[The Road Dog]

If your game is that of a 9 hcp what is the problem with showing it to strangers? If the course allows walk ons to join groups of less than three I say go for it. I have done that since the first time I went out on a course. After the first time it isn't an issue. And you get to meet such interesting characters. I will draw the line at riding in a cart with a stranger though.

[j_moo]

It's not the meeting people part, I really enjoy that. That's why I usually play as a single, especially when I lived in LA city and can book my tee time. Don't even have a problem sharing a cart with a stranger. In fact, most people usually offer me a ride as I usually walk.

It's the waiting and not knowing if I'll get on part that's the problem. Like Bastid said, no course says don't come when I call. Then it ends up being a long wait and can't finish the round, especially with the shorter days. The not knowing also makes me a bit anxious, and the first few holes, if I do get on, always feel rushed.

Single tee times on the online sites are also limited. They are usually right on the cusp of twilight, so depending on pace of play, may not finish the round.

Not sure if I want to be the single golfer who pretends to have a friend. Although, I'm beginning to be that desperate. Also not sure if they'll eventually catch on and what they'll do once they do.

I thought I had it worked out, but my golf partner moved recently. Hoping there are people in the area who might want to share a tee time.

[Bastid]

Call the course ahead of time. They should know when they have a group of two or three that they could pair you up with. Courses won't tell you to just show up and then not find a place for you. Then again, I'm sure LA has tons of douchebags that play golf now, might be hard to find somewhere to go. It's not so bad in Chicago, I live in a far west suburb and it's pretty easy to find a course that has something open. Or I just drive an hour further west and play a kickass course out in the country for next to nothing.

This course rocks.
http://www.prairieviewgolf.com/

[leezer99]

Our golf club does a really good job of getting singles out. Just ask to be put on the list when you get there. The longest I've ever had to wait is an hour but that was a great hour of putting practice for me.

[1bigdawg]

I use Golf.now for most of my rounds, not sure it they have courses near you. They often have only singles showing from the three some booking or show 1-4 players.

[Kraemer]

This forum is an good start to find people to play with

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/threads...and-Oregon-USA

[MiniMoe]

call around to see if they have any games around. Around here, you can find a group almost every day of the week if you are willing to drive a little. On Mondays, it's at Pecan Valley in San Antonio. The game is blind draw 4 man teams, two best balls, and skins. Cost is $35 + green fees. This time of year, there are normally 50-60 players and in the summer, it can be over 100, so the money is good if you win. On top of that, they play games within their own group.. wolf, or something. Seems like there should be a game like that somewhere in your area, but you have to look around. Also, talk to the guys in the golf shops. They get guys in there all the time that know about local money games.

[j_moo]

Not sure if I want to put my lousy game up for money. Don't really have the stomach for it.

Called a local course yesterday and they said come on down, no problem getting out. They were not ready to send me out until about 12:15. Knowing the pace of play at the course, I decided to hit the range instead. The guy at the pro shop insisted that I can finish the round. Saw the guys I was suppose to play with make the turn at 3:00. They probably finished in the dark. I guess it's fine if the mindset is pratice. But I felt I got more practice on the range and the practice greens. Besides, do I really want to play a 5+ hour round and not finish?