Totally understand that. It is more frustrating when the groups ahead are not playing ready golf or messing around. I tend to practice chipping around the tee box and try to keep a positive outlook. I try and get a song in my head to focus on singing that in my head.

Short of buying your own course, not much you can do about it. I have the same problem, and ever since the covid era, it seems to be a growing problem. So bad in my area that people are now bragging about get through 18 in less than 5 hours. Don't get frustrated. It just makes it worse. I find that trying to take my mind off the game while waiting makes it a little easier to manage. With a group you can have a conversation or play some simple games on the tee box. When I'm by myself I take the time to do some small exercises or bring a magazine or small book and read a paragraph or 2.

If you're by yourself, play some of your favorite tunes while waiting. If you're with others, talk about anything other than golf (Positive, funny stuff, not politics). The thing is, get your mind off what's going on in front of you. I have been a riding scorer for many club pro tournaments here at PGA GC and you would be amazed at some of the things these guys talk about when play sometimes slows up, especially the young Assistant Pros.

I dont have the best solution for you. Waiting is not fun, but playing as a single youre likely going to have to wait at some point. The best thing you can do is just accept that its going to happen or you could build your own golf course - which I have thought about myself Lol!

Hit into them and send a message. It releases tension :)

Been there done that. At my age now, 78, hakuna matata. I play with seniors. We play around four hour rounds. Maybe try changing the time of day you play. Some take their cell phones to kill time texting to others, but I leave mine in the car. Nothing like a phone going off in the middle of someone's back swing. Even more distracting. Or listening to music. Not my thing, I do that in my car. We all have different opinions on what music is best to listen to, so that can lead to other issues. Followed a group yesterday that we could hear their music all the way around the course. Had to be from out of town. Were constantly hitting from the out-of-bounds areas. Maybe they did not see those new bright white stakes our maintenance crews have clearly placed on the course. But you know, we played in 3.5 hours. I try stretching exercises or staying limber with my orange ball whip. This keeps my mind occupied and me loose, then when we get to the tee, not necessarily go first. Finally figured out it was those six inches between my ears. Have fun watching the squirrels, the birds or mother nature in general. Do not talk politics. Puts everyone on a bad mood. No one wants to agree to disagree anymore. I don't have that many years left and shooting forty on the front would be nice at my age with all my other handicaps (golf 21 hdcp). Heck I just feel lucky to be able to play three days a week. In my younger days, I have broken way too many shafts, lost oodles of golf balls, said too many bad words, and had my share of quads, triples, doubles and now if I have a high number, I am just glad I get to play golf. The things we seniors talk about on the tee are the days when we were were a single digit handicappers and could hit the ball 300 yards, which are now distant memories. So might think about what memories you are accumulating. Find your happy place. Enjoy the wonderful game.

I’ve noticed that when I’m stressed I usually play worse golf. Sometimes we stop focusing on the basics like grip pressure, tempo, club distances, and let the frustration get the best of us. Like mentioned by many other best thing to do is not focus on the groups ahead. While waiting do some practice swings see what’s working best for you and practice that. Waiting to tee off is inevitable. Hopefully this helps.

Playing as a single we will always wait at some point. I like to keep it positive by knocking a ball around the tee box. I don't think about my routine until I know I'm cleared to tee off then I get back in the zone. Also as a single some music always helps.

Waiting always sucks but it's one of the joys of public course life. I have noticed a lot less golf etiquette since the Covid golf boom. Rarely do the groups in front of me let me play through. I almost passed out when a group of older guys let me play through last week. I think that was the first time this year. Not sure if you like walking or not but when I play as a single I almost always walk and use my pushcart. Let's me spend less time just sitting there waiting to hit. I can get my mind off of a bad shot just trying to push that cart up a hill. Haha.

I feel like pace of play is the wrong thing to call it because it makes people think it is about finishing the round as fast as possible. To me, the problem is people not playing ready golf. I play as a single more often then not these days, and walk 99% of the time. I will always be faster than any group. I don't mind having to wait for multiple people to hit shots. But what is irritating is when people don't play ready/smart golf. If you are the last person to hit in a 4-some, how are you not ready to hit when it is your turn? How is it 3 other people have hit their tee shots, but you haven't even climbed out of the cart yet? How is it that I have played an entire par 3 hole and not a single person has teed off on the next hole? That is when my game starts to fall apart.

I use to work as a starter and we made every effort to ensure that singles were paired up with others. Most courses do not like to let or allow single play. When we did let a single go out we advised them that they needed to hold their place and they were not allowed to play thru if they came upon a group. A lot of singles do not want to pair up. Yeah, sometimes if you run upon some of us seniors (older guys) and there is an opening in front of us, we most likely will let you play thru. It is very difficult to get a tee time on our course now. They are booked solid, running 70,000 rounds a year.

Not sure what is worse, waiting on a slow group that throws off your timing, or being waived up and trying to hurry your shots in front of strangers that are forming their opinions of your golf skills by the shots you are about to perform? I played yesterday as a solo in 2 hours but three separate groups let me play through. The PRESSURE! I think I like sitting back in my golf cart listening to 70's classic rock, sipping on cold lemonade, and just waiting the extra hour.

Nothing like classic 70s rock. Hotel California and ice cold lemonade. I am all in. =)

On the flip side of that, it's always fun to rip a drive past that group in front of you. Par the hole and move on. Validating why they let you play thru. Hahaha.

You must not have played at the better clubs?....LOL

I play at some better clubs. Those usually aren't the places I get held up on the course and need to play thru.

Light a cigar and get my Smooth Jazz on!!!!

Long waits are a bummer when things are good on the course.
One of the things I do when practicing is to space out my shots every now and then.
I actually will hit a drive....walk to get a drink or chat with a friend....then hit an iron and so on.
Space out your practice to replicate slow conditions...helps with slow play.
I believe Tiger would use a similar technique.


Cheers,
Dr. K

There's a video under Golf Tips about building a pre-shot routine, that might help you in this situation. It's not just about the routine right before you hit the ball, but the process between shots and refocusing before you get ready to hit. I suffer from the same problem for several reasons. 1. It's easy to lose focus when you're behind a slow group. 2. As someone who's had back issues, I find it hard to stay loose when I'm standing around waiting to hit. But at least following the advice about adopting a consistent routine will keep me mentally engaged when it's time to hit my next shot.

I also struggle with pace of play there for I always play early. It seems where ever I play if I get out within the first 5 groups the pace of play is great (average round time 4 hours with 4 players). I find myself in sync and hitting way better shots. I always avoid anything 9:00 so I can avoid a 6 hour round.

@CNelson I agree I find myself going out early or later in the evening. I get in a groove and shots flow together.

An early tee time will make for a swifter round.

Shift your focus off of the wait. Watch the birds or squirrels. Look at cloud shapes. Find a distraction from the waiting.

I always try to use the time to talk about anything other than golf. Oftentimes it is family, friends, and business. Don’t be afraid to stretch some too!

Golf’s a very mental game. I fall into the exact same issues whenever I play. Just have to “woo saah” the situation as best you can and try to keep the negative thoughts out of your head