better by myself...

[JGLindner73]

Over the past month I have played 5 rounds alone averaging +7 and 3 rounds with a playing partner averaging +19. I think I just play better when I don't have to wait on other people or get held up behind slow groups. My two best rounds 76&77 were first tee times of day solo rounds. Does anyone else play better alone, I mean I enjoy playing with friends but I hate that I blow about 10 shots in exchange for conversation or time with friends.

[Fourputt]

Nope.  I don't enjoy playing alone, I don't concentrate as well, and I don't play better.  I certainly don't see the sort discrepancy that you do.  A difference of that much suggests to me an inability to adjust your game to changing conditions.  I used to have a similar problem, but simply playing under all sorts of different conditions and scenarios has made the variances mostly insignificant.  I can play equally well or poorly in just about any situation, but given my choices, I'd rather play with others.

I see golf as a social game, and I'd a heck of a lot rather do my socializing on the course than I would on Facebook.

[sofingaw]

Well, I just shot my second best score ever by myself today. 116 is no great shakes for most. BUT I think being able to get into a rhythm was helpful for me. There were maybe 2 spots on the course that I waited at all, and even then, they were short waits. Also, nobody running up behind me.

[JGLindner73]

What really gets me off my game is being stuck behind a slow group or guys playing for money that will stare down each and every putt like its Tiger putting for the win at Master's.

[BugDude]

I've been where you are.  For years I was a member of a private club with my own cart and played a lot of evening golf by myself when the course was mostly empty.  I got used to playing at my pace (which was 2 - 2.5 hours for 18).  I noticed when I played with others and the rounds took twice as long I lost my rhythm and couldn't stay focused on my game for that long.

Now that I live in FL I play a lot of different courses and get paired with a lot of different people and I've gotten much more adjusted to playing with others in longer rounds.

I do, though, still enjoy the occasional evening round by myself.  It is a tranquil place to focus on something other than everything else in life when you have the course to yourself.