Alright, so picture this: you’re on the golf course. Alone. Just you and those endless stretches of green. Nobody yakking in your ear, no cell phones buzzing like angry bees. It’s like stepping into a bubble where everything else just… doesn’t matter. Sounds pretty zen, right? Dan Camilli gets it. He’s all about why going solo on the golf course is becoming a thing. Who knew a quiet round could be like meditating with a golf club?
Okay, rewind a sec. Golf’s always been this social event, right? Everyone loves a good chinwag in the clubhouse. But now and then, people are like, “Can we chill out a bit?” They ditch the tunes and the buzzing gadgets. It’s a whole different vibe, kind of like T.S. Eliot’s ‘distracted from distraction by distraction’ idea. Deep? Maybe. Or I just thought of it that way. Who knows.
Back to being alone on the course. It’s not the same as being lonely. Seriously. You’re hanging out with this awesome person: yourself. Thoreau had a point – we’re not all that bad company. But some golf spots aren’t keen on folks going solo. What’s up with that? It’s like they want us all to be best buddies. News flash: people are veering towards solo rounds more. Makes sense, right?
Wild stat for you. A lot of younger folks, like 76% of Gen Z and even more millennials, are into going it alone. Self-care’s what they call it. Sounds fancy, huh? Imagine golf courses turning into yoga retreats or meditation havens. Just a thought. What are these young golfers up to? Maybe getting back to nature or whatever that means.
Speaking of nature, ever try Forest Bathing? It’s this Japanese thing—Shinrin Yoku—where you really soak in the sights and sounds. Solo golfers get this big time, especially on foot instead of buzzing around in a cart. You notice stuff, like the crunch underfoot of the grass or the smell of fresh greens after it rains. Kinda poetic, if you ask me.
And here’s the kicker: walking while thinking. Weirdly meditative. Some old dude, Saint Augustine, I think, said it clears your thoughts. Early mornings or twilight… that’s the sweet spot for golf magic. The universe feels different somehow. Anyway—wait, what was I saying? Oh yeah, sometimes you hit “The Zone,” and it’s like you’re some kind of golf wizard.
Larry Miller, a former pro, nailed it when he talked about total control in solitude. The ball listens, really. No mechanical thoughts, just you and the club.
Playing alone also means you can mess around with multiple balls, try out wacky shots. Like chess or crochet; you get better by trying stuff out. I probably hacked my way through it, but hey, it worked. It’s all about trusting your gut during these solo sessions. If you haven’t, give it a whirl.
Starting out, I hit the greens solo. The club pro even noticed and said I’d stumbled into paradise. Nailed it, huh? Golf, this wonderful old game, lets us explore ourselves, in a sorta Socratic ‘know thyself’ way.
Last bit. Solo golfing isn’t just about improving your swing. Sometimes, maybe, you’ll find a spark of something bigger. You should try it. No better way to know yourself than hanging out with just you.
Dan Camilli knows his stuff. He used to teach history and philosophy, wrote a book too. Wise fella.
