Getting paired up is something you have to get used to. But don’t feel self conscious about your game, honestly no-one really cares about anyone else’s game as it is hard enough focusing on their own games. But the things people do care about are etiquette and pace of play. Both are huge. Learn the etiquette, don’t stand in people’s line of sight, don’t walk on their line, rake bunkers, etc. Learn what READY GOLF is and play it all times. Be aware when it is your turn to hit and be ready, don’t stand there fiddling with your glove and trying to find a yardage while people are waiting for you. Do that before it is your turn while other people are hitting. Also don’t get back to the cart, re-arrange your clubs, sort out scores, etc. while parked next to the green, and people are waiting back in t! he fairway. Jump in the cart, putter or driver in hand, and put them away at the next stop. Always be aware or etiquette and pace of play and people will love playing with you.

You’re welcome, beginnergolfguy. I hope you enjoy learning and playing the game.

A few tips on courses — I think Revolution Park, Charles T Myers, and Charlotte National are among the best courses for beginners. And better yet, if you want to start with an executive course (all par 3’s), you can try Pebble Creek in Indian Trail. That’s where I learned to play and built my confidence over 15 years ago.

Also, for the rest, I think this is a good topic with some good advice. Playing as a single is something I do quite a bit — for mostly personal schedule reasons. Either it’s last minute and I can’t find a partner before I get to the course or I’ve got only so much time to play and need to play fast. In those cases, it’s ve! ry appropriate to tell the pro shop or starter that you’d like to play alone or have a time constraint. You might ask to start on the back nine or another hole where they have a gap. You just have to keep in mind what 5putts said and realize that they may not be able to accommodate you — since it could mess up pace of play for their other guests. In these situations, you just have to accept what they offer and not take it personally if they decline. Also know that it might change during the round. You may catch up to a 2-some or threesome that is stacked behind several full groups. In that case, it makes sense for you to join that group rather than keep pushing up against them every hole — because you’re not going to play through that many groups. So the biggest advice if you want to play as a single is be flexible.

This should be framed and posted on the first tee at every golf course!