Do you let singles join you?

[Grass Roots Tour]

Do you ALWAYS make certain you have a foursome?

If you arrive and for some reason don't have four, are you inclined to have a single join you?

Years ago it was far more common to see singles around looking for a game. I don't see that near as much.

Thoughts?

[iyell4]

I didn't know we ever had a choice.

If we show up as a threesome (by design or if our fourth's wife calls an audible and saddles him with babysitting duties rendering him unavailable) the starter will tag a single to our group.

We've never had the choice it was always,
"Hi, McAndrew group for 8:08? ... Great, Mr. Gopalrajahlingham will be playing with you this morning. Enjoy."

[haribo]

Unless it's a foursome the starter decides if a single will join the group ... or not.

I play 99% of my golf as a single. Don't have a group of guys to play with regularly. Sometimes I meet nice people, sometimes complete jerks.

[Grass Roots Tour]

IYELL4, this is one reason I think people are more inclined to be SURE of a foursome.

I once posted about a nightmare at Glen ScAbbey on this very topic. Sometimes, or what used to happen is the starter would come over and ask, "is it OK if Mr. Mesupyerdaybychoppinitup joins your group?" leaving it up to you to use your better judgement being a gentleman to say yes.

[alien270]

never had a problem playing with a single
only one time did i ran into a *****..
and the guy was an older man who whooped my butt around the course
his short game was very good, the guy was a hater though
kept telling me i cant clear certain obstacles.. the guy wanted me to used drivers on long par 3s:cool: , he probably beat me by 5-8 strokes the guy was competing with me and i didnt even know it. he hated the fact that i can drive long and he couldnt :rofl:

then another time another older guy joined our group and he was probably the nicest person ive ever played with, its nice to play with other people sometimes
at least for me it is.

[Focker Singh]

I don't have a problem having a single join my group. Its not like you have to hold their hands and babysit them all day. If they turn out to be a pr*ck then just walk on the other side of the fairway or ignore him/her completely. If you ever play in a tournament you will most likely be paired with someone you don't know so I guess its one way to get used to playing with different characters. I'm lucky enough to always have a 4 some though. I once played with a guy about 60 years old and he was a great guy to play with. He even drove the ball over 250. Ended up he was a big wig of a big financial company but the good thing was he never showed it on the course and didn't talk to me like some rich cocky SOB.

[openflows]

I so rarely have a foursome. I've often been a single, in fact I can say the large majority of the many rounds I played at public courses was as a single. Growing up I didn't know anyone who golfed, so I always had to go on my own. As a result I'm always open to people joining up with my group spontaneously. It's a great way to meet new people.

[tjhayko]

I almost never have a complete foursome (for golf anyways ;) ), and I've never refused a single joining us yet. Most of the time people are pretty good, but occasionally you run into a jerk or two.

[Rule35]

My worst experience with a single was 4 years ago in PAris Ontario. We got hooked up with some guy who kept bragging about how great his game was, and how much better than all of us he was, and how he was going to start a tour for wannabe guys who occasionally shoot under 80, who never had a prom date, who think that if only they didnt work at Chuckee Cheese as a manager that they could be a professional golfer. Longest 6 hours of my life.


I shot 59
he shot 102, but he took lots of photos of himself 4 putting from 5 feet.

[XQSmi]

I play 99% of my golf as a single. Don't have a group of guys to play with regularly. Sometimes I meet nice people, sometimes complete jerks.
So what do you do if they are complete jerks? Just ignore them? or leave the game?

I'm wondering because I'm finding that the guys I usually play with have clashing schedules. I'm starting to find myself in the position of playing as a single if I want to get more golf in my week. At this point in my game, it gets a bit intimidating depending on who you get teamed up with.

Any advice from you guys out there who normally play as singles for those of us who find ourselves joining a group of strangers?

[alien270]

My worst experience with a single was 4 years ago in PAris Ontario. We got hooked up with some guy who kept bragging about how great his game was, and how much better than all of us he was, and how he was going to start a tour for wannabe guys who occasionally shoot under 80, who never had a prom date, who think that if only they didnt work at Chuckee Cheese as a manager that they could be a professional golfer. Longest 6 hours of my life.


I shot 59
he shot 102, but he took lots of photos of himself 4 putting from 5 feet.
WOW 59 did u say 59
man 50 freaking 9
holeeeee

[Grass Roots Tour]

My worst experience with a single was 4 years ago in PAris Ontario. We got hooked up with some guy who kept bragging about how great his game was, and how much better than all of us he was, and how he was going to start a tour for wannabe guys who occasionally shoot under 80, who never had a prom date, who think that if only they didnt work at Chuckee Cheese as a manager that they could be a professional golfer. Longest 6 hours of my life.


I shot 59
he shot 102, but he took lots of photos of himself 4 putting from 5 feet.

Theres always some jacka** who thinks he knows everything. I had never been to Paris 4 years ago.

Bring your weaka** game to the falls if ya got the nads.

[Rocknronny]

My worst experience with a single was 4 years ago in PAris Ontario. We got hooked up with some guy who kept bragging about how great his game was, and how much better than all of us he was, and how he was going to start a tour for wannabe guys who occasionally shoot under 80, who never had a prom date, who think that if only they didnt work at Chuckee Cheese as a manager that they could be a professional golfer. Longest 6 hours of my life.


I shot 59
he shot 102, but he took lots of photos of himself 4 putting from 5 feet.Wow how come you have not PM'md me?????:cool: We still have some spots left!!!!!!!:D

[sharkhark]

I have played almost all rounds as a single this year, and most last year. My schedule has meant that co-ordinating with friends is a luxury.
I simply try my best to make some small chat, ask more questions about them, rather than talking about myself (Learned this from some mars are women guys are uranus type book an ex tried to get me to read, doesn't just work with girls you're trying to meet).
I do my best not to offer too much advice even if it's obvious. I also compliment regularly even if you have to hunt for it.
Whether a single joins me, or I join their group, the only thing that bother's me is the classic 'gonna spend 15 min looking into a forest for my ball' type people.
I can tell that sometimes people give vibes they are not thrilled I am joining them, but I try to overcome it.
It's a game, I try to enjoy it as such. Meeting new people is a good thing to me. I almost alway's learn as well, everyone has something unique they do.

[Rule35]

Theres always some jacka** who thinks he knows everything. I had never been to Paris 4 years ago.

Bring your weaka** game to the falls if ya got the nads.
[QUOTE=Grass Roots Tour]Theres always some jacka** who thinks he knows everything.

Funny I was just thinking the same thing. Thats the beauty of this form, we can trash talk without ever backing it up!

I admit that you are by far the best golfer on this forum(allegedly)
I admit that now that Mickelson has one his, you are the next best player never to have won a major!!

Listen, I can barely break 80, You DA Man, everyone on the forum knows that, you backed it up at the Tourney...
oops I forgot you didnt go...

[Rocknronny]

[QUOTE=Grass Roots Tour]Theres always some jacka** who thinks he knows everything.

Funny I was just thinking the same thing. Thats the beauty of this form, we can trash talk without ever backing it up!

I admit that you are by far the best golfer on this forum(allegedly)
I admit that now that Mickelson has one his, you are the next best player never to have won a major!!

Listen, I can barely break 80, You DA Man, everyone on the forum knows that, you backed it up at the Tourney...
oops I forgot you didnt go...I dont see a PM from you!!! I would of thought you would have PM me by now!!!!!!:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

[mikemakeitso]

[QUOTE=Grass Roots Tour]Theres always some jacka** who thinks he knows everything.

Funny I was just thinking the same thing. Thats the beauty of this form, we can trash talk without ever backing it up!

I admit that you are by far the best golfer on this forum(allegedly)
I admit that now that Mickelson has one his, you are the next best player never to have won a major!!

Listen, I can barely break 80, You DA Man, everyone on the forum knows that, you backed it up at the Tourney...
oops I forgot you didnt go...*laughing*... Hey GRT did you say you were lookin for a guy with nads, right??? Here's one with Gorilla sized ones... even took my line YOOO-DAAA man...

GRT, apparently or should I say allegedly, you haven't been backing everything up on tournament day... say it ain't so...

Don't worry dude... I've never seen you play, but I will to bet dollars vs donuts that your a player - only players can come up with your lines... Plus you have Ronny vouching for you... Ronny is solid backup, he shoots low 90's at Ashburn.... Hey, Wait a minute.... this doesn't sound right...:eek:

Also... he is insinuating that YOU were the SINGLE... too funny!!

...You guys are making my day today... *laughing* :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[mikemakeitso]

My worst experience with a single was 4 years ago in PAris Ontario. We got hooked up with some guy who kept bragging about how great his game was, and how much better than all of us he was, and how he was going to start a tour for wannabe guys who occasionally shoot under 80, who never had a prom date, who think that if only they didnt work at Chuckee Cheese as a manager that they could be a professional golfer. Longest 6 hours of my life.


I shot 59
he shot 102, but he took lots of photos of himself 4 putting from 5 feet.
This ones a classic.... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

GRT 102... Your kidding... Man I don't even shoot 102 ... lol

and 4 putting from 5 feet even.... You need to try my Natalie out... :D - The Scotties are over rated... lol

[Flogger]

My worst experience with a single was 4 years ago in PAris Ontario. We got hooked up with some guy who kept bragging about how great his game was, and how much better than all of us he was, and how he was going to start a tour for wannabe guys who occasionally shoot under 80, who never had a prom date, who think that if only they didnt work at Chuckee Cheese as a manager that they could be a professional golfer. Longest 6 hours of my life.


I shot 59
he shot 102, but he took lots of photos of himself 4 putting from 5 feet.
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :clap: :clap:

Now that's funny!

[golferboy]

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:hush: :hush: :hush: :hush: My worst experience with a single was 4 years ago in PAris Ontario. We got hooked up with some guy who kept bragging about how great his game was, and how much better than all of us he was, and how he was going to start a tour for wannabe guys who occasionally shoot under 80, who never had a prom date, who think that if only they didnt work at Chuckee Cheese as a manager that they could be a professional golfer. Longest 6 hours of my life.


I shot 59
he shot 102, but he took lots of photos of himself 4 putting from 5 feet.

[Golftool]

Forget the friday funnies and all - just listening to you guys makes my week!:D :rofl:

I even find myself laughing at what is said on here as i am paying for gas at the station!:rofl:

Keep up all the trash talk - you guys are classic!

[westbeach]

Back to topic....if you threesome are so keen to not have single join you, then pay for the 4th time in the group. I used to work at a course and nothing gets me going more than the guys who won't allow a single to tag along.

[TpBoomer]

I have never had any problems when I let a single join me. I have met some great people that way. I often go out and play as a single myself. I always hope to get paired up. Honestly, I know golf is a "one player sport" but who really wants to play by themselves? I always prefer having someone to talk to

[westbeach]

I have never had any problems when I let a single join me. I have met some great people that way. I often go out and play as a single myself. I always hope to get paired up. Honestly, I know golf is a "one player sport" but who really wants to play by themselves? I always prefer having someone to talk to
Well, some people think they belong on "Tour" here so they like to be kept alone and not get distracted.

[haribo]

So what do you do if they are complete jerks? Just ignore them? or leave the game?
Here's the thing. The guys you're playing with paid the same greenfee as you did. Meaning, you're as much entitled to enjoy your round as they are.

If I get to play with jerks I'll keep to myself. Try not to let it get to me and rather focus on playing better than they do (makes them mad commonly :p )
If they are really bad (it happened only two times so far to me) I simply walk off the course. If it's a place where I know people in the pro shop I'll talk to them and see if I can get a rain check for 9 holes. If not, that's fine too.

Again, it only happened two times in many years of playing as a single to me. I decided to walk off because I didn't want to get all pissy about it and give them a chance to ruin my entire day. :nono:

[Grass Roots Tour]

This ones a classic.... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

GRT 102... Your kidding... Man I don't even shoot 102 ... lol

and 4 putting from 5 feet even.... You need to try my Natalie out... :D - The Scotties are over rated... lol

Too bad theres not a letter of truth here. If I didn't break 90 I'd quit playing.

[Bogey-Bev]

I tend to agree with the majority of posts here. I myself don't have a problem with singles - a-holes or not - I can handle my own. If a dude is going to be a *****, offer advice and think he's Tiger on the greens, 5 times out of 6 I'll play it cool and just do my thing. Luckily, I've yet to run into D@#head.

However, playing as a single is a different thing. There will be times when I'm thinking ..."****, what if I get grouped with a field of scratch golfers" - it can only do 1 of 2 things - make me nervous or up my game. Again, I just do my thing, offer the occasional compliment and small talk. Golf will always be a game against yourself. I intend to play it that way for these rest of my days.

[Grass Roots Tour]

I find it strange most of you are concerned about guys being jerks.

Maybe I've been lucky in that regard. The only occassion where I had a problem with someone who joined us was at Glen ScAbbey.
We booked for 3 and the course put a single with us. The single was playing his once a year round. His children had bought him a round at the Abbey for his B-day.
This guy was the typical beginner. Slashing it here, there and everywhere. When he finally arrived at the green, he chipped ... over the green. He chipped ... over the green. Back and forth he went, on every hole.

Now, that being said. I have no problem with beginners. Everyone starts the same way.... yadda yadda yadda.

The problem I DO have is, the poor guy riding with him has to spend all the time the group has (in order to keep pace) looking for buddy's ball and waiting for him to get the ball moving. This left my friend with no time at his shot to determine distance and pick an appropriate club etc.

Also, as you well know... it costs large $$$ to play this joint (not that I can explain why it costs so much). Why should we have our day buggered so they can fill the spot?

[iyell4]

Why should we have our day buggered so they can fill the spot?
excellent point grt! i think at the first tee our response to the starter should be a 'conditional 'YES', he can join us' ... the course marshal should then be waiting at the 3rd tee box for your group to bring the single back to the first hole ... unless you say it is OK for him to continue with you.
If you decide it is not OK, he goes back to the first teebox to join the next group, etc. until he finds an appropriate group ... this way everyone is happy. the single might get to play a few warmup holes for free.
of course, if life were like that you wouldn't have the miserable 6 hour rounds.

[westbeach]

I find it strange most of you are concerned about guys being jerks.

Maybe I've been lucky in that regard. The only occassion where I had a problem with someone who joined us was at Glen ScAbbey.
We booked for 3 and the course put a single with us. The single was playing his once a year round. His children had bought him a round at the Abbey for his B-day.
This guy was the typical beginner. Slashing it here, there and everywhere. When he finally arrived at the green, he chipped ... over the green. He chipped ... over the green. Back and forth he went, on every hole.

Now, that being said. I have no problem with beginners. Everyone starts the same way.... yadda yadda yadda.

The problem I DO have is, the poor guy riding with him has to spend all the time the group has (in order to keep pace) looking for buddy's ball and waiting for him to get the ball moving. This left my friend with no time at his shot to determine distance and pick an appropriate club etc.

Also, as you well know... it costs large $$$ to play this joint (not that I can explain why it costs so much). Why should we have our day buggered so they can fill the spot?
If that's your view, then why would the course bugger up a single's day by having 3 other golfers join him? That's like saying....I'm going on a vacation on an island but since other people are on it, my vacation is ruined. Make the best of it and deal with it. Otherwise pay for your own island or in this case, pay for the forth tee time.

[XQSmi]

IThis guy was the typical beginner. Slashing it here, there and everywhere. When he finally arrived at the green, he chipped ... over the green. He chipped ... over the green. Back and forth he went, on every hole.

The problem I DO have is, the poor guy riding with him has to spend all the time the group has (in order to keep pace) looking for buddy's ball and waiting for him to get the ball moving. This left my friend with no time at his shot to determine distance and pick an appropriate club etc.


The way I see this situation would be that: 1) the single should have taken responsibility in knowing if he was holding the group up and sped his pace up by taking a max score or by conceding lost balls and taking a drop. 2) If the guy is clearly a beginner, maybe instructing him on proper pacing, letting him know when to pick up his ball, take a max score, or even letting him have a free drop if he's lost too many balls to help him speed up play. (It's not like he would be playing for money at this point) For myself, if I am a single and I'm playing badly, I would do more of number 1). And I'm sure he would appreciate his one round that year a bit more by learning the ropes better and getting a few free mulligans for the learning.

But I am glad to know that the chances of being in a group of pushy golfers is a lot less than I expected. This thread will actually give me a bit more motivation to try and play as a single.

[westbeach]

Why do people seem to think singles play poorly? Don' you think that 3 guys playing would hold up play more than a single would?

[mikemakeitso]

I find it strange most of you are concerned about guys being jerks.

Maybe I've been lucky in that regard. The only occassion where I had a problem with someone who joined us was at Glen ScAbbey.
We booked for 3 and the course put a single with us. The single was playing his once a year round. His children had bought him a round at the Abbey for his B-day.
This guy was the typical beginner. Slashing it here, there and everywhere. When he finally arrived at the green, he chipped ... over the green. He chipped ... over the green. Back and forth he went, on every hole.

Now, that being said. I have no problem with beginners. Everyone starts the same way.... yadda yadda yadda.

The problem I DO have is, the poor guy riding with him has to spend all the time the group has (in order to keep pace) looking for buddy's ball and waiting for him to get the ball moving. This left my friend with no time at his shot to determine distance and pick an appropriate club etc.

Also, as you well know... it costs large $$$ to play this joint (not that I can explain why it costs so much). Why should we have our day buggered so they can fill the spot?I'm not crazy about singles joining as well - you always find some Pultz to screw your Day up....

...AND about the Island comment, there is no comparison... On an Island you can lose whoever you want - your not forced to be with anyone you don't want to.... UNLIKE having a single join... Their STUCK with you the entire 4-41/2 hours... A Nightmare in the making...

AND it ahs nothing to do with playing poorly... we have to watch what we say... be really nice... Make dsure we don't affend someone... Sometimes our posse just wants to let loose, it's hard when you have a single join...

Anyways... I agree on GRT regarding this point...

Ronny, I'm waiting for you to clap after this comment... You know that irritating clapping, where you could give a rats a$$ what my comment is...

[XQSmi]

Why do people seem to think singles play poorly? Don' you think that 3 guys playing would hold up play more than a single would?
I meant in that situation in particular. I've played in a threesome when a single that joined us kicked our butts, but gave us all some great tips to help our game out too. We were just embarrassed when we held him up, but he was good about it.

[pudubny]

I have been at both ends of this deal.
I currently have good friends who I was years ago paired up with as a single or who joined my group as a walk-on. So I enjoy the experience of meeting new golfers, much like I enjoy this forum.
I have gone to a course as a single and been paired up with various types of complete idiot, the "know it all" 120 shooter, the etiquette master who hits into every group and the "it's my right to destroy the course" temper trantrum. Twice I have asked the starter to find me another group to play with. Once I did it discretly, mentioning that I had to eat an extended lunch. That group was painfully slow.
The other time, two of the guys were hot-heads who destroyed the course and hit into people. I freely told them I would rather not play with them and they should stick to trailer-park wrestling.
I got a strange reaction, they were not used to 2 syllable words.
I can ignore the on course pro, hey even I'll give a guy a tip if I see something obvious in his swing that's easy to fix. And if the guy is new to the course and I am not I will offer advice on the course, target lines, approach concerns, etc. Whenever I can, I try to take the opportunity to get to know the person and if they need some help with ettiquete, I'll try to help. But as Struther Martin said, "some men, you just can't reach".
Of course, being new at my home course, I get paired up with people all the time now and I have enjoyed all the meetings so far. Met some crazy guys, but they all love golf.
Enjoy.
Pud.