So you want to golf, but no one is free. Your SO is working, your golf bestie is out of town, or the group chat is ghosting you. Can you just… go by yourself? Yes, babe. You absolutely can.
Honestly, learning how to golf alone might be one of the best things you can do for your golf girl era. Because once you stop needing someone else to make the plans, golf becomes something you can actually do whenever you want to do it.
Here’s what you need to know before booking that first solo tee time.
The Short Version: Yes, You Can Golf Alone.
Yes, babe. You absolutely can.
You can book a tee time for one, and depending on the course, you might get paired with other golfers or you might actually get the whole thing to yourself. Either way, it’s probably going to be way less awkward than you’re imagining.
Show up, be friendly, keep pace, and play your game. You don’t need a foursome to be a golfer. You don’t need to wait for your golf bestie to be free. You can just… go.
Basically: book the tee time. Stop overthinking it. Go golf.
First Things First: Yes, You Can Book a Tee Time for One
Most public golf courses allow you to book a tee time as a single golfer.
When you book online, just select one player. That’s it. No secret solo golfer application. No need to call the pro shop and explain your entire situation.
Depending on the course, you may see certain tee times that aren’t available for singles. Totally normal. Just look for one that lets you book for one player.
You can also call the pro shop and ask if they can fit a single in. Sometimes they can squeeze you into a spot that isn’t showing up online.
But Will I Actually Play Alone?
Maybe.
This is the part that catches a lot of new golfers off guard.
Golf courses usually send players out in groups of up to four. So if you book as a single, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be paired with other golfers who booked the same or a nearby tee time.
You might join another single.
You might get paired with a couple.
You might join a group of three.
Or, if the course is quiet, you might actually get the whole tee time to yourself.
Basically: booking alone does not always mean playing alone.
Wait… I Have to Golf With Strangers?
Potentially, yes.
We know. That sounds scary.
But it is usually approximately 1,000 times less awkward than you’re imagining.
When you get to the first tee, introduce yourself. Something as simple as:
“Hey, I’m Mady. Looks like I’m with y’all today!”
Boom.
And honestly? Wearing a cute golf outfit never hurts. A good outfit can be an easy icebreaker. Compliments are basically guaranteed, and suddenly you’re chatting before you even tee off. “I love your outfit!” is a pretty great way to break the ice.
You do not need to explain that you came alone. You do not need to apologize for being new. You definitely do not need to give them your golf life story. They’re there to play golf. You’re there to play golf. Look at that. You already have something in common.
What If I’m Not Very Good?
This is probably the underlying fear behind playing alone.
If you go with your friends, they know you’re learning. Getting paired with strangers can feel different because suddenly you’re worried they’re going to care that you just sent your tee shot directly into another town.
Most people do not care how good you are. If anything, all they care about is pace.
You can be a beginner. You can lose balls. You can take a few questionable swings. Just be aware of the group around you and keep things moving. Golf etiquette is your best friend when you’re new. Knowing when to let someone play through, being aware of where you’re standing, keeping up with the group ahead of you, and generally being respectful of the course and the people around you will take you a long way.
And, as cheesy as it sounds, a good attitude goes a long way too. You can’t lose if you’re having fun. Even if you’re, like, really losing.
If a hole is becoming a full-blown disaster, pick up your ball and move on. You are absolutely allowed. There’s no shame in picking up your ball when you’re having a rough hole. In fact, it’s much better than holding up the entire group while you try to dig yourself out of a 14-stroke hole.
A good rule of thumb when you’re new is to cap yourself around a quadruple bogey. That means 7 strokes on a par 3, 8 on a par 4, and 9 on a par 5. If you haven’t made it to the green by then, pick it up and move on. Your scorecard will survive. Your group will thank you.
The goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to keep things moving, be considerate, and have fun. Everyone was new once.
Do I Have to Talk to Them the Whole Time?
Nope. You’re golfing, not on a date.
Some groups are chatty. Some barely talk. Usually, you’ll figure out the vibe pretty quickly.
There are a few easy questions you can keep in your back pocket:
“Where are you from?”
“Have you played this course before?”
You can also just compliment a good shot. A quick “Nice one!” goes a long way.
And if you’re not feeling particularly social that day? That’s fine too. Be friendly, be polite, and play your game.
Okay, But Is It Awkward?
For the first five minutes? Maybe a little.
But think about how many things feel weird the first time you do them alone. Going to a restaurant. Walking into a workout class. Showing up at an event where you don’t know anyone.
Then you do it once and realize… oh. That was literally fine.
Golf is the same way.
Once everyone hits their first few shots, you settle into the round and suddenly these people aren't really “random strangers” anymore. They're just the people you're golfing with today.
And sometimes? They're actually really cool.
What If I Actually Get to Play By Myself?
Jackpot.
A truly solo round can be one of the best ways to play golf.
You can focus on your own game. Hit a second ball if no one is behind you. Practice shots you normally wouldn’t. Walk instead of ride. Romanticize your entire existence.
There’s no pressure to entertain anyone or compare your score to the rest of the group.
Just you, your clubs, and however many golf balls you’re willing to sacrifice that day.
Solo Golf Makes Golf Yours
This might be the best part. For a lot of women, golf starts because someone else introduces us to it. A friend invites you out. A coworker suggests a round. A family member gets you on the course. Someone you know is already obsessed with golf and convinces you to give it a try.
And that's great.
But you don't have to wait for an invitation forever.
The second you’re comfortable booking your own tee time, golf stops being something you do when someone else makes the plans. Want to squeeze in nine holes after work? Go. Random Sunday morning open? Book it. Need a few hours outside without staring at your phone? Tee time.
You might meet people. You might get paired with someone who becomes a future golf friend. You might play the entire round by yourself and absolutely love it.
Either way, you went golfing because you wanted to.
Book the Tee Time, Babe.
If playing golf alone feels intimidating, that doesn’t mean you’re not ready.
It just means you haven’t done it yet.
Book one player. Show up a little early. Introduce yourself if you get paired with someone. Keep pace. Be nice. Play golf.
That’s really it.
You do not need a foursome to be a golfer.
And you definitely don’t need to wait around for someone else to invite you.
See you out there, solo queen.