- The best way to avoid being paired up. If you are experienced at playing with a regular group, it is best that you form your own foursome. ...
- Bonus tip: Make small talk if your attempts to avoid getting paired up failed. ...
- Ways To Avoid Having Bad Golfing Days after being paired up. Whatever questions you wish to ask, just make sure to keep the conversation light and casual. ...
- Final thoughts on how to avoid getting paired up in golf. There are many ways that would help make your golfing experience more enjoyable. ...
Full Answer
How do Random Pairings Happen?
Before I share my (in hindsight, embarrassing) list of ways I have avoided random pairings, let me explain how these pairings come about for my non-golfing brothers and sisters.
Three
With a lot of these excuses, it’s not what you say but how you say it – and that’s maybe more true with this one then any others. Years ago I was playing with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while who was in from out of town. A random guy approached us on the first tee asking to join us. When this happens, you have to respond immediately.
Four
One time I really wanted to listen to a certain podcast while I walked nine, so I had my headphones in on the first tee. Someone walked up and asked if they could join, and I told him, “Man, I’m sorry but I have to listen to this thing for work tomorrow, so I’m going to be no fun to play with.”
Five
After seeing the first two nines were crowded on every hole, I walked to the far nine hoping to see an empty tee box.
Seven
Lastly, even times where I tee off alone, I still run the risk of being caught up to by the group behind or catching up to the group ahead.
moose557
Had a tee time yesterday morning (Saturday) and got to the course and it was jammed packed. Checked in with the starter and was told they were running a few groups behind. Hit some balls and then putted a little.
golfingchuck
I've never had a problem being paired up with people. I've been paired up with A-holes but I prefer to consolidate groups if the course is busy
italianstallion
As a starter I've been on the other end of this. My belief was that if you showed up without 4, I reserved the right to pair you up however it works best for me + or - 10 minutes of your tee time. I specifically remember a two-some I wanted to pair with another twosome on a busy weekend morning. Long story short, they refused.
Desert Golf
Unless it is a slow day, I expect to get paired with others unless I book a time with 3 of my buddies. How does one refuse to join up with others who have the same tee time? Italianstallion did the right thing by telling them to go home.
V-twin
I go out a single all the time. The course is jammed and the starter tells me to join a threesome they didn't want to but the starter insisted, I was a little miffed and the round didn't start off all friendly.
zebra2955
Once on Dec 26th, which was the actual holiday, since Christmas was a Sunday. It was exceptionally warm here in the Windy City. Decided to head out, all my buddy's said it is not that warm, It got in the 60's. So I went as a single. Well the course was packed. Starter wanted to have me go out with a threesome. They did not want me to join.
RichieHunt
This happened all of the time when I was living in Atlanta.
bones75
Most of my golf outings are paritial rounds after work. I'll play til sunset, trying to get in as many holes as I can. I walk in as a single, and if I don't get paired up by the proshop, will play til I run into another person/group and join them. At the courses I play, many times a two-some in front of me wants to play by themselves.
Patch
I don't know of any specific USGA rule governing pairing up. I could be wrong. I have played courses who had very good marshals who enforced pairing up as a local rule.
Fourputt
Most of my golf outings are paritial rounds after work. I'll play til sunset, trying to get in as many holes as I can. I walk in as a single, and if I don't get paired up by the proshop, will play til I run into another person/group and join them. At the courses I play, many times a two-some in front of me wants to play by themselves.
bkuehn1952
I know of no "rule" or etiquette regarding pairing up. I like it when a course takes action to create larger groups. If the clubhouse/starter doesn't force the issue, then everyone is on their own. Once on the course, I have always considered it the group in front's responsibility to ask a single or twosome to join them.
Mop Bucket
It's a pretty personal decision, I'd say. I play 90% of my rounds as a solo walker but am always looking for either another solo or twosome to pair up with. As long as they seem to have a similar interest in the round as me, Im never opposed to it.
Dan42nepa
I played 9 this morning trying to finish before a tournement started. I started on the back and wanted to play alone as I wanted to practice some bump and run shots. Another person made the turn and i was going to let him through but he suggested we play together.
bones75
This is exactly the way I expect it should work. If you're waiting on my group, I'll invite you to play with us. If I know there's a steady stream of backed-up groups ahead, I may not invite you to play through, but you're always welcome to play with my group.
Why would you choose to play golf with strangers?
When you’re on the golf course all alone, you can feel like a bit of an outsider. No buddies to talk with, no locals to give you tips or share some insider knowledge. You may as well be on another planet! Golfers who play alone often find that they suffer from a lack of motivation and flagging concentration.
How not to be nervous when playing golf with strangers
Once you’ve identified someone you’d like to play with, make sure you introduce yourself. This helps establish trust between strangers. Golf is all about trust. A good handshake is always a good start too.
How to play with a stranger and not be intimidated by their score
Although you may feel intimidated by the fact that you’re playing with someone who has a much lower handicap than yours, there’s no need to let your handicap affect your game.
How to make friends on the golf course
Making friends on the golf course is easier said than done. A lot of things have to happen for you to make friends with your playing partners. But don’t worry – if you are nice, they will be nice to you too.
Final thoughts on playing golf with strangers
Whether you are playing on your own or in a group, consider the previous tips on how to make friends. Most importantly, remember that kindness is key!
