Solo etiquette.

[Paradox]

So I had a tee time on a Sunday but my playing partner had to back out last minute to deal with some things.  Not wanting to cancel so close, I went ahead and showed up and was just going to play as a solo unless ANYONE approached me before the 1st tee.  As it were, no one was there solo but a two-some of 75+ year old men were in front of me.  Behind me was a short hitting couple. In front of the old men was a group of 4 "pros"(they thought so but couldn't hit it 100 yards off the tee)

Anyway..what would you do to make the group in front not feel pressured by having you staring at them constantly and also not have the other two-some(non english speaking) be waiting on you at any time?

I knew the old guys were just out enjoying their time together..they weren't hitting great shots or anything and were dinking it along..which was fine with me...I'm never in a rush.  So whats the etiquette when you know you can't play through and don't want someone to feel rushed in front of you?

[clubchamp]

Originally Posted by Paradox

So I had a tee time on a Sunday but my playing partner had to back out last minute to deal with some things.  Not wanting to cancel so close, I went ahead and showed up and was just going to play as a solo unless ANYONE approached me before the 1st tee.  As it were, no one was there solo but a two-some of 75+ year old men were in front of me.  Behind me was a short hitting couple. In front of the old men was a group of 4 "pros"(they thought so but couldn't hit it 100 yards off the tee)

Anyway..what would you do to make the group in front not feel pressured by having you staring at them constantly and also not have the other two-some(non english speaking) be waiting on you at any time?

I knew the old guys were just out enjoying their time together..they weren't hitting great shots or anything and were dinking it along..which was fine with me...I'm never in a rush.  So whats the etiquette when you know you can't play through and don't want someone to feel rushed in front of you?

There really isn't any thing you can do at that point besides take your time while keeping pace. If the group behind you was keeping pace with you I wouldn't recommend playing two balls but if they had fallen behind I'd probably play 2 balls maybe do some practice putting before heading to the next tee.

[dak4n6]

Either hook up with the guys in front or play two balls.

[dsc123]

I would try to hang back and always look busy.  If you're right on them, watching them as they putt out and starting your routine as they're walking off, they'll feel rushed.

[Dave2512]

I am faced with this a lot. I have two goals, don't push the folks ahead and don't go nuts trying to stay busy. To slow myself down I work on my routine. Paying more attention to how I setup, stepping away if it doesn't feel right. I pay more attention to picking a target and spend time marking my ball and cleaning it before I line up putts. I clean my clubs after each hit. I have to because if I just wait and watch I start to rush and I don't play as well.

That said because I am solo much of the time I try to avoid peak times and I frequent courses known to be slow. I look at available tee times on-line. If It looks wide open I can the proshop and ask if things are slow. If not I request to be paired up with someone. I know some people like to do their own thing but I'd rather play with strangers and be part of the natural flow for that particular day than be the pushy single.

[Mattplusness]

Play two balls.

Whenever I'm faced with this situation I mark one ball and always hit it first. That's my scoring ball. I don't score the second ball.