Playing in a foursome vs playing solo

[sara]

Lately I have played a couple of rounds with a foursome. I usually play by myself or with another person who I have become used to playing with. I shoot way above my handicap whenever I play in a foursome or with other people I don't know. I don't believe I am feeling intimidated by the others and play comfortably, but then I make some stupid mistakes like I rushed and missed a put or topped the shot. Anybody else struggled with this? I know that the more I play I am supposed to get better at this, but there is a huge difference in score (15+ than my handicap) and it really is getting to be too much for me. I don't want to stop playing with others because of this.

[Tugglife2]

I play really poorly in foursomes vs. playing solo or even playing in a pair. I too know it has nothing to do with intimidation. For me I believe the problem is having to wait a longer time between shots. At least that is my theory.

[sara]

  Tugglife2 said:

I play really poorly in foursomes vs. playing solo or even playing in a pair. I too know it has nothing to do with intimidation. For me I believe the problem is having to wait a longer time between shots. At least that is my theory.

I have also thought about that because I do feel like the pace changes when playing with others. On some holes the pace slows down and on others I feel like it is a bit rushed. This time I tried to just have a good time and not focus on the score. It got better on some holes but still, the misses I had were a lot more than my usual ones.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I used to play better alone, but now it really doesn't make a difference. I play the same either way. You have to be more patient when playing a four ball, which can be good for your overall game.

[pavespawn]

I don't think it is the pace. At least for me I think it is because I get distracted with conversation and what not. I also will usually smake a cigar when I am in a group of people I know but I won't when I am alone. More distractions.

[The Recreational Golfer]

Being the odd one out in the foursome can be stressful. Try to make friends with everybody as soon as you can. Most threesomes are glad to have you along and want you to have a good time playing with them. So just be one of their group for four hours instead of feeling like an outsider, and you'll be OK. Remember that the most important thing about recreational golf is being a good playing partner. How well you play comes second.

[newtogolf]

I am sure timing and focus are likely causes but for me it's also something else. The few times I did play in a foursome I wasn't intimidated by the other players, but I found myself trying to match them (which wasn't possible since they knew how to swing a club, and I didn't). I found myself overswinging, or trying to mimic their swing so I'd hit that one good 300+ yard drive that would make everyone forget all the bad shots I made. Needless to say, it never happend.

[sara]

When I first started playing I played in a group and the other players were very low handicap and I could barely hit the ball. Then I started playing by myself more and then with only one other partner and got used to that and started playing much better. Don't know if that's why I start missing shots when playing with others. On the past couple of rounds I've been the lowest handicap player in the foursome, yet I score a lot higher than my handicap and end up losing the round.

[zdoor]

Always played as part of groups and they don't bother me. But when the rounds are slow and we are waiting for groups in front of us and there is also a group behind us I find I rush things, which is stupid because we're always waiting for the next shot. I've really tried to change that by having a routine to stay in consistent timing and after much work it's finally starting to not really matter what speed we are playing at...

[anthony]

The only difference is when I play solo I practice more. Throw a few balls down and chip. Hit a shot just for the hell of it (usually a long iron into green if I'm up close). I'd rather play with people though most of the time. It's more fun that way. I did play solo a lot at the beginning of the year and when I finally played with people I did have a bit of nerves. After a few rounds that went away though.

[sc13ntific]

I seem to play better when I have people playing with me. Maybe its because I concentrate more knowing that someone else besides me is watching what this shot will do? Maybe its because I loosen up after hitting a bad shot because there is someone else there to joke about it instead of letting it get to me? Not sure.

[Dave H]

I prefer to play in a group with others, even strangers. I think I put too much pressure on myself when playing alone. It seems easier to let the bad shots go when I'm in a group, as strange as that sounds. I think playing by yourself can be boring.

[Rexx]

During the "downtime" of playing in a foursome, it's best to think about other things besides your next shot -- socialize with your partners, think about what you're gonna eat for dinner, whatever. It's probably too much to think about your next shot for 5 minutes while waiting for your playing partners to hit their shots.

[trickymicky69]

I am a very fast player anyway - on foot 18 takes just over two hours.

So in a foursome I get slowed down massively - which causes me to overanalyse, and then I play terribly.

[TourSpoon]

I prefer to play with a threesome. That seems to be the perfect group for me as it slows me down, but not too much. I find that if I play two or solo I tend to play too quickly and not think about my shots. I usually play four so there is plenty of time not to rush. Don't get me wrong, it is still ready golf.

[sara]

I am trying to speed up my pace of play when playing solo so that I don't feel rushed when playing with others but still not sure if that's the reason I score so high or some other reason I need to work on. Golf is a mental game after all. I just haven't been able to pinpoint what it is that makes me hit those 15+ extra strokes.