Differences playing alone vs. with others?

[DavidY]

Just wondering what your experiences are playing alone vs. with others?

On nearly all putts, when playing alone, I don't usually take the flagstick out....unless I am going for par (sometimes bogey) or better (par is rare since I typically score in the 110-120 range). Also, I probably give myself more givemes and mulligans.

Dave

[nearace]

Re: Differences playing alone vs. with others?

yup get pretty lazy while playing alone leaving the flag stick in, i will hit a second ball but allways score the origanal

[goshawk]

Re: Differences playing alone vs. with others?

I'll usually leave the flag in only on really long putts (25 feet or longer). Also, sometimes if I'm putting across the green from where I leave my clubs. Otherwise, it always comes out. When playing with others, the flag is always out when everyone is on the green.

[landlord]

Re: Differences playing alone vs. with others?

If there's no one fore or aft, I like to read putts from all angles -- something I never do otherwise. It really does help, FWIW, provided you commit.

The other thing I've done alone but NEVER at any other time, is go back to the original spot after losing a ball. (In regular play I'd drop "where I think it should be" -- deep rough or not -- and charge myself 2 strokes.)

I'll take lots of second shots, just to see if I can do it as I'd planned, but play the original only for score.

Pin out or in? -- depends on how ambitious my back feels that day.

[DavidY]

Re: Differences playing alone vs. with others?

I tend to lose more golf balls when I play alone...since I typically don't pick up the ball visually during each shot. As a result, I think that I should use coloured balls more often when playing alone....probably save me more $$$ over the long term.

To date, I haven't played a second ball.....if I have time with no one behind me, I think that I will start playing one. This will probably slow me down which is a good thing....as I seem to play "rushed" when alone and my scores start ballooning even more so.

Dave

[goshawk]

Re: Differences playing alone vs. with others?

I tend to lose more golf balls when I play alone...since I typically don't pick up the ball visually during each shot. As a result, I think that I should use coloured balls more often when playing alone....probably save me more $$$ over the long term.

I'm with you Dave. I tend to lose track of balls off the tee because of how late my head comes up after impact. It's especially difficult on cloudy days, or when hitting into the sun. That's why I prefer to get paired with someone, if only to let me know which side of the fairway to start looking.