There’s nothing more enjoyable than getting out on the course for a peaceful solo round. No distractions, no pressures, just you versus the course at your own pace.
However, booking that coveted tee time for one player can often be a challenge.
Many golf courses have policies restricting or flat-out prohibiting single-player tee times.
But don’t give up yet!
In this post, I’ll go over the policies on booking singles tee times, why courses try to restrict it, and give you some tips for booking a tee time for one person.
Can You Book A Tee Time For One Person?
This depends entirely on the course you play.
Public golf courses have different policies on solo players looking to book a tee time.
Many simply do not allow online bookings for singles at all, and require you to show up in person that day to the pro shop, and try and get out.
Also Read: Can You Wear Golf Shoes On Concrete?
Other courses may let you book that single time, but then pair you with another twosome or threesome once you arrive.
It’s the same in private clubs too.

But some have dedicated tee times set aside each hour just for single players.
Why Do Courses Restrict Singles Tee Times?
There are 2 main reasons why they do this:
Maximize Their Revenue
The main reason golf courses limit tee times for single players is to make more money.
A tee time reserved for a foursome brings in a lot more green fees and profit than a single player booking.
Courses have to carefully manage their tee sheets to make sure they are maximizing the number of players out on the course at any given time.
From a pure numbers perspective, it makes way more sense to give that prime tee time slot to a foursome rather than just one person.
Pace Of Play Concerns
But it’s not just about just revenue.
Golf courses also have to think about pace of play and prevent backups and bottlenecks on the course.
A single player, no matter how fast they play, will inevitably get caught by groups behind them since they play at a much quicker pace than foursomes.
Also Read: Is 53 A Good Score For 9 Holes?
Once that happens, it starts a chain reaction that slows everything down.
The group that caught the single now has groups stacking up behind them and so on.
Before you know it, the entire course has ground to a halt just because of that one single player time. It really defeats the whole purpose of an efficiently run tee sheet.
Tips For Booking A Tee Time For One Person
So what do you have to do if you really want to get out on the course alone?

A couple strategies to try – first, don’t even attempt to book that solo time during prime morning hours when courses are most crowded.
Instead, look for tee times in the late morning or early afternoon when things have calmed down a bit.
Another option is to call the course’s pro shop beforehand and explicitly ask about their policy for solo players. Get it straight from them whether they allow single bookings, have dedicated single tee times, or require you to join another group.
Some golfers “game the system” and will book that tee time online as a twosome or threesome, but then just show up alone.
The course probably won’t love that, but it can work in a pinch.
Etiquette Of Joining A Group As A Single
If you do end up getting paired with another group when playing solo, there are some basic etiquette guidelines you’ll want to follow:
Thank Them For Allowing You To Join
As you’re approaching the first tee box, take a moment to thank the other players for allowing you to join their group. A simple “Thanks for letting me get out with you guys today” can break the ice right from the start.
Also Read: Do You Tip A Golf Instructor?
It shows you appreciate them accommodating the single, even if the course paired you up.
Don’t Give Swing Tips Unless Asked
No matter how bad or good the other players may look, resist any urge to start giving out swing tips or advice unless they directly ask for it.
Unsolicited tips or criticism is one of the rudest things you can do on the course.
If someone wants your help, they’ll let you know. Otherwise, just focus on your own game.
Keep Up The Pace Of Play
This is a big one – make sure you keep up with the group’s pace at all times.
Have your next shot ready to go as soon as it’s your turn, and be aware of your surroundings so you don’t waste time looking for balls in the rough.
The key is being prepared and not holding anyone up, period.
Be A Pleasant Walking Partner
Beyond pace, just generally try to be a pleasant person to spend four hours with on the course. Keep negative comments and tantrums to a minimum after bad shots.
Remain positive, make a bit of small talk here and there, and bring an all-around good attitude to the group.
A little course etiquette and social skills can go a long way.