Don't Forget About

Single Golfers

Fall has arrived in the Midwest and South...The temps are perfect, the leaves are starting to turn, and courses are in that sweet spot between summer heat and winter frost. I got a taste of it firsthand this weekend at Bear Trace in Tennessee, where a solo afternoon 9 holes reminded me why golf is as much a personal escape as it is a social sport.

It was quiet, unhurried, and exactly what I needed. And it turns out, I’m not alone. According to new research from Lightspeed (2025), solo golf is on the rise among younger golfers (think Gen Z and. Millennials). What was once a last-minute tee-sheet filler is becoming a deliberate choice for many players.

The Solo Golf Surge

Golf is no longer just a foursome’s game. For many players — particularly Gen Z, Millennials, and Xennials — heading out alone is becoming a core part of their golf experience.

84% of younger Millennials (ages 25–34) said they would play solo.
29% of Gen Z golfers said they always or primarily seek out solo or single tee times.
Another 39% of Gen Z and Millennials said they do so whenever they can.
Gen X and Boomers were less inclined, with solo play viewed more as an occasional option.

This isn’t just a scheduling quirk — it’s a behavioral shift. Younger golfers are actively seeking solo rounds for reasons that go beyond convenience.

The Self-Care Effect

Golf has long been known as a mental game — but for younger generations, it’s increasingly a mental health outlet.

A majority of Gen Z (51%) ranked mental health and self-care as the top reason they play golf.
Among 25–34-year-old Millennials and Xennials, it was the third most popular response (47%).
Across all age groups, personal well-being emerged as a primary driver of participation.

Even on rough days, golf offers a few hours to disconnect, immerse in the game, set personal goals, and spend time outdoors. For many Gen Z and Millennial golfers, it’s become a wellness ritual — a way to reset between the demands of work, family, and digital life.

This emotional driver is key. Solo play isn’t about avoiding community — it’s about choosing intentional, restorative time on the course.

Marketing & Membership: Leaning Into the Solo Mindset

For marketing and membership directors, this trend isn’t a problem to solve, it’s an opportunity to speak a new language to a growing segment of your membership and public players.

Here are a few ways to lean in:

Reframe the Solo Golfer: Stop thinking of singles as “fillers” in your tee sheet. Position them as valued members who use the course as their personal sanctuary.
Highlight “Me-Time” Rounds: Use social media, newsletters, and signage to promote early-morning nines, weekday walking rounds, or “Mindful Mondays” designed for solo play.
Smooth the Booking Experience: Make it easy for individuals to find and book solo tee times without friction. Consider adding “Solo Spotlights” or designated time blocks to your booking flow.
Wellness Programming: Offer curated experiences that tap into mental health and well-being — think guided walking nines, sunset meditation rounds, or “quiet nine” events.
Member Retention Through Flexibility: Solo rounds often lead to increased frequency. Promote the idea that membership offers not just social access, but personal flexibility too.

Driving Ranges & Simulators: Built for Solo Play

If solo golf is gaining traction on the course, it’s already the default at ranges and simulators — and that’s a revenue lever waiting to be pulled.

Solo Subscriptions & Packages: Create offerings like “Solo Range Club” passes or off-peak practice memberships tailored for frequent solo users who may prefer a more peaceful range session.
Gamify Practice: Leaderboards, personal skill challenges, and progression programs can make solo practice feel purposeful and sticky.
Wellness Positioning: Market simulator bays and range stalls as personal golf spaces places where players can focus, unwind, and recharge.
Flexible Scheduling: Emphasize the ability to drop in on their own time, especially during slower hours. Solo golfers value convenience and autonomy.

The Bottom Line

Solo golf isn’t replacing the foursome, and it's still critical to emphasize the community aspect of foursome golf, but it’s expanding the ways people connect with the game. As personal well-being drives participation, the courses, marketing teams, and facilities that understand why golfers are going solo will unlock new rounds, deeper loyalty, and stronger member connections.

One More Thing

Last, with fall here, that means the holidays aren’t far off. If your course doesn’t have an online shop up and running yet, my friends at Tee Commerce can still get one launched in time for the holiday season. Their team makes it turnkey — and frankly, if you don’t have a Tee Commerce shop yet, it’s a no-brainer. Happy to get you in touch with Jeff if you want to explore it.

That's it for this week. As always, have questions or feedback? Reply to this email and I'll get back to you. In the meantime, let's Grow Golf.

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