[CAxrrAYN]

This came up today, and I have heard many golfers saying that single players don't have any rights on the course. The part of the rules that said "a single has no standing on the course" was removed in 2004.

This is in the Etiquette section of the 2012 USGA Rules of Golf:

Pace of Play
Play at Good Pace and Keep Up

Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of
play guidelines that all players should follow.

It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a
clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind
to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group. Where a
group has not lost a clear hole, but it is apparent that the group behind can
play faster, it should invite the faster moving group to play through.

Priority on the Course
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is
determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is
entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round. The term “group” includes
a single player.


BUT! And this comes from http://golf.about.com/od/golfetiquet...espriority.htm


Unless. The rulebook does give golf courses an out, however, by including that "unless otherwise determined by the Committee" bit. So while the Rules of Golf are clear that singles do have standing on the course, the rulebook also gives committees the option to decide differently. If you're allowed to play as a single at a course, but then encounter trouble on the course, check with the pro about club policies - and make sure he or she understands the current USGA/R&A guidelines on the issue.

[AblemTee]

I am always happy to let a single through, if its a PACKED day then its the course that caused the problem. But otherwise. I always let them through

[johnstylet]

I am always happy to let a single through, if its a PACKED day then its the course that caused the problem. But otherwise. I always let them through

same here, agreed 100%

[Fegemiembendy]

I will either let them through, or ask them if they want to join us if we are not a full foursome.

[Mangoman]

I will either let them through, or ask them if they want to join us if we are not a full foursome.

We do that too.

When I am in a group of 4 that is keeping pace with the group in front, and so on, they really have no place to go anyway, and they usually get stuck behind. What's funny is there is usually another single or twosome or threesome behind them they could join up with.

[fkisjjdhh]

I will either let them through, or ask them if they want to join us if we are not a full foursome.

This is how I handle it.

[searkibia]

I'm almost always a single and I honestly don't mind waiting behind a 4 some, it's the 5 some's and 6 some's that aggravate me. However, there have only been a few times where the group ahead has not let me play through and I usually just start playing 2 balls to slow my pace down a bit. Now most of the courses around here aren't all that packed during the times that I go so it's hardly an issue.

[Escamsrasiush]

The only time I could see this as a problem, is when there might be several singles on any given day. This would back up the whole course at some point. I'm not shy about asking another group if I can join them when I travel to another course. In fact that is exactly what will happen when I move to my new town in a few weeks. Heck with playing with myself. I'm jumping in with the rest of em.

[pkopwqzsdcvbn]

I'm all for letting a single play through, (or invite them to join if my group is

[EbrsaRynleot]

Thanks for posting this. I had a bit of a discussion with the manager at Commonground GC a few weeks back. He told me that 4somes have priority and that there was nothing that stated that they should let a single play through, even though they were a hole and a half behind. Great course, but takes forever to play a round there.

[r7rGOhvd]

The only time I could see this as a problem, is when there might be several singles on any given day. This would back up the whole course at some point. I'm not shy about asking another group if I can join them when I travel to another course. In fact that is exactly what will happen when I move to my new town in a few weeks. Heck with playing with myself. I'm jumping in with the rest of em.

That is a problem, and something the pro shop people should let the singles know that there are singles ahead they can join up with. Letting singles go by during a stretch of holes slows it down a lot. I don't like going out alone, although I have, and will again I'm sure. But I have also paired up with other singles to slow things down when the groups ahead are keeping the pace.

As it says in the first post, the single should expect to be let through if the group ahead is not keeping up with the group ahead. It's not like they automatically get to go through just because they are waiting.

[mas-dkt-sive]

I am always happy to let a single through, if its a PACKED day then its the course that caused the problem. But otherwise. I always let them through

Agreed, otherwise depending on group dynamics we will always offer for them to join us as well.

[Xxmlqevq]

I golf a lot by myself I like being between two foursomes.
If 3 people or less come up behind me.
99% of the time we will join up.

[gundas]

I golf a lot by myself I like being between two foursomes.
If 3 people or less come up behind me.
99% of the time we will join up.

Heck there's no reason to be shy and it's a great way to meet new friends or make new enemies

[BCVB9SOc]

I play by myself and don't mind waiting knowing that I am by myself. If we are in a group, I usually let singles play through. The problem I have is when as a group we are constantly waiting on the group or groups ahead of us and the single gets mad because we won't let him play through.

[ambientambien]

When I go out as a single, I usually walk 95% of the time as it helps slow me down a little bit. Also most of the time when I am playing as a single it's because I'm working on something with my game so I never mind spending a little extra time either hitting an extra ball or practicing around the greens.

I guess I've never expected to be let through groups simply because I was a single. The only time I expect to be let through is if the group in front of me is playing excessively slow (2-3 holes clear in front of them). And if they insist on not letting me through, I don't hesitate to call the pro shop.

[KacypeJeope]

I play by myself and don't mind waiting knowing that I am by myself. If we are in a group, I usually let singles play through. The problem I have is when as a group we are constantly waiting on the group or groups ahead of us and the single gets mad because we won't let him play through.

In that case, the single can just wait!

I had a guy actually walk up to the tee box while we were sitting on the bench waiting for the green to clear (executive course) and I had to tell him that we were next. The dude asks if it was OK to play through! I said look ahead, where are you going to go!? I did not let him through, he ended up going about 8 holes ahead to get past everyone.

[Andoror]

When I go out as a single, I usually walk 95% of the time as it helps slow me down a little bit. Also most of the time when I am playing as a single it's because I'm working on something with my game so I never mind spending a little extra time either hitting an extra ball or practicing around the greens.

I guess I've never expected to be let through groups simply because I was a single. The only time I expect to be let through is if the group in front of me is playing excessively slow (2-3 holes clear in front of them). And if they insist on not letting me through, I don't hesitate to call the pro shop.

In a group of any size, if a group is that slow, we will just bypass them and go to the next hole if they refuse to acknowledge us.

It's funny how quick they notice you when you are going around them when they never even looked at you while you were behind them.

[irrelaAnnekly]

I play by myself and don't mind waiting knowing that I am by myself. If we are in a group, I usually let singles play through. The problem I have is when as a group we are constantly waiting on the group or groups ahead of us and the single gets mad because we won't let him play through.

This is when a good course marshal could earn his keep. I have seen very few courses staffing marshals these days. It must be the economy but they come in handy if they are strong back boned.

[kuzbaslachek]

In that case, the single can just wait!

I had a guy actually walk up to the tee box while we were sitting on the bench waiting for the green to clear (executive course) and I had to tell him that we were next. The dude asks if it was OK to play through! I said look ahead, where are you going to go!? I did not let him through, he ended up going about 8 holes ahead to get past everyone.

I think it's incredibly rude when someone asks if they can play through. I think it is up to the group that is playing as to whether they decide to offer to let someone play through. Especially when there are other groups in front.