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Should you play golf by yourself?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 08, 2026

Golfers can definitely show up to a golf course and play themselves if they choose to do so in most cases. You could play a traditional 18-hole round and have a relaxing time out on the course and enjoy yourself! The great part about playing golf by yourself is flexibility.

Is it lame to golf alone?

Most golf courses shun letting singles out unless the course is very slow, or you are playing at an off-peak time such as early in the morning or later in the evening. Since you will be playing alone, there is a good chance you will be playing quickly. Playing fast golf helps golfers build momentum and a rhythm.

How can I enjoy playing golf alone?

If you are planning to play golf alone, I would advise the following:

  1. Play at a time when the course is quiet, rather than busy.
  2. Set yourself a goal and work towards it (improving your driving accuracy, approach into the greens etc)
  3. Don't take yourself too seriously: have fun.

What makes golf addictive?

Simply the process of going to the golf club, assembling equipment, teeing off at a set time and completing 18 holes is repetitive and can be comforting. As we seek ways to assuage anxiety, the repetitive nature of golf makes it addictive. “Anything repetitive tends to calm us down,” says Morris.

Should you play golf every day?

If you want to get better at golf, you should practice as much as your schedule and body allows. The more you practice each week – whether it's your long game, short game or putting – the faster you will improve. But, you must listen to your body and not overdo it, otherwise you risk injuring yourself.

35 related questions found

How long does 18 holes take alone?

If you are playing by yourself, you could potentially complete your 18-hole round of golf in as little as two hours and thirty minutes. As you add players to your group, you can expect the time to complete a round to grow by roughly thirty minutes for each additional player.

Can you learn golf by yourself?

You absolutely can teach yourself golf. Anyone can swing a club, play a chip shot or make a putt with a little practice. But if you want to excel at golf, or become a low-handicap player, it's likely you will need lessons with a professional golf instructor to fine-tune some of the technical aspects of your swing.

How hard is it to learn golf?

Making the decision to learn how to play golf is easy, but needs to happen with an understanding and respect for the game. While golf is fun and meant to be enjoyed, it can often be frustrating, especially when first learning. That being said there is one simple thing to remember.

Is golf a difficult sport?

Ultimately, golf is such a difficult sport to play—arguably, the most difficult—because it is, in essence, multiple sports rolled into one. You need power and gentleness, flexibility and control, and many people underestimate the physical requirements of the game of golf, so they struggle to make progress.

Are golf lessons worth it for beginners?

Golf lessons are absolutely worth it. You won't become a scratch golfer overnight, but in 10 weeks I shaved six strokes off my handicap by getting regular lessons with a good PGA professional. Lessons are essential for beginners who are trying to learn the basics, and can lay a solid foundation for a good golf swing.

Can you walk 18 holes?

Walking 18 holes equals about four undulating miles, and doing that while swinging and carrying your bag probably pegs your total calories-burned number to around ~1,400, according to an experiment conducted by the Director of the Center for Health and Sport Science and reported on by the New York Times, and sometimes ...

Can you walk 18 holes in 3 hours?

It should take your foursome 3 hours and 47 minutes to play 18 holes. Without rushing. And if we're playing behind you, we're probably going to ask you to pick it up.

How long does a round of golf take for 1 person?

On an empty golf course, a single player or a skilled twosome can play an 18-hole round in as little as 2 hours. That can be walking or riding, depending on the age of the players. On a busy golf course with average to poor players, an 18-hole round can take in upwards of 6 hours to play.

Is it better to play or practice golf?

According to most coaches, practicing more often than playing will lead to better golf scores. Practicing at the range will eliminate a lot of what goes through your mind and will let you focus on improving the fundamentals.

How long does it take to get good at golf?

It can take up to six months for a beginner to even master hitting the ball the right way. Yes, you read correctly, six months. The reason is that hand-eye coordination required for golf is severely underrated. The second biggest factor determining how long it will take you to 'get good' is how you define good.

How many hours a week should I practice golf?

I recommend multiple days a week so you get at least 10+ hours per week, aim for 20 hours a week if you want to get to par golf.

How many calories do you burn when you walk 18 holes of golf?

For an 18-hole round of golf, which can run from 4-5.5 hours, a walking golfer can burn anywhere from 1,200-3,000 calories. A golfer won't burn quite as many calories if they're walking the course but using a push cart, but the energy expended to push or pull a walking cart will come close to making up the difference.

What does the average golfer shoot?

The average golfer shoots over 100 for 18 holes (and it's likely higher than that because many don't play completely by the rules). You've probably also heard that the average score, even with all the advancements in the game in recent years, has remained consistent for decades.

What is considered slow play in golf?

If you take more than two practice swings anywhere on the course (other than when greenside chipping), you're a slow player. That's right, you've been called out.

Do you play better golf when you walk?

You Get More Exercise

The primary way walking can better the golfing experience, of course, is exercise. Walking a golf course (depending upon your ability to keep the ball in the fairway) can require covering four to eight miles (or an estimated 17,000 footsteps) up and down rolling hills or extreme elevation.

How long does it take to walk 9 holes of golf?

An average golfer, playing without a cart and walking the full nine-hole course would take around 2 hours to complete their round. Fast players or single-player rounds will take less time, reducing this time by as much as 45 minutes.

How many miles do you walk while playing golf?

Play a round of regulation 18-hole golf on most courses and you'll walk anywhere between 3 and 6 miles, depending on the length of the course, how much walking you do before and after your game, and how often you have to wander off course in search of lost balls.

What is a good round of golf for a beginner?

According to National Golf Foundation data, 45% of all golfers average more than 100 strokes per round. With that said, it is believed that a 108 is considered to be a good score for a beginner golfer, which equates to double bogey on each hole of a par 72 course.

Is it worth it to learn golf?

If you're a beginner, golf lessons will be well worth the money. A lot of it will depend on how good of a coach you have but it is a great way to shortcut success. Just like with any other sport, you always had a coach. Golf shouldn't be any different.