Finding Someone to Play Golf With in the UK & Ireland: 11 Beginner-Friendly Ways (No Awkwardness)
If you are searching “finding someone to play golf with”, you probably mean something simple:
You want more golf in your life, but you do not have a regular group.
Maybe your mates do not play. Maybe you are new to the area. Maybe you are returning after a break. Or maybe you are a beginner and the idea of turning up alone feels awkward.
The good news is this: in the UK and Ireland, there are loads of built-in ways to meet golfers. You just need to pick the route that matches your confidence level.
This guide gives you 11 practical options that work, plus what to say, what to do first, and how to turn one round into regular golf mates.
Quick answer
The fastest way to find someone to play golf with is to use places where golfers already organise rounds, like roll-ups, scrambles, society days, simulator leagues, busy pay and play courses that pair singles, and local golf communities.
TL;DR: Do these 3 things this week
If you want results quickly, do this:
Join a local golf community and post your area and when you play
Try one low-pressure format, a scramble or a beginner-friendly roll-up
Follow up after the round and book the next one straight away
If you want a simple first step, start with our guide Find Golf Partners in the UK & Ireland (link to your existing post), then come back here to choose your route.
Choose your starting point
Pick the path that feels easiest. You do not need to do everything.
If you are a beginner or high handicap
Start with scrambles, relaxed roll-ups, nine-hole socials, simulator leagues.
If you are returning after a long break
Start with range leagues, simulator nights, twilight nine holes, visitor-friendly courses.
If you feel nervous turning up alone
Start by joining a community first, then attend a roll-up or society day with one person.
If you want structured competition
Start with stableford roll-ups, society days, opens, and weekly leagues.
11 ways to find someone to play golf with (UK & Ireland)
1) Join a local WhatsApp golf community
This is the quickest way to turn “I want to play” into a tee time.
Why it works:
people post availability and tee times in real time
it is easier to chat and lock in a plan
local hubs keep it relevant
What to post (simple):
Area:
Level: beginner / returning / handicap range
When: days and times you can play
Looking for: 9 holes or 18, relaxed or competitive
If you want a welcoming place to start, the My Friendly Golf Club WhatsApp Community is built for golfers across the UK and Ireland who want to meet people and play more.
2) Play a scramble, it is the easiest social format in golf
If you want the lowest-pressure way to meet golfers, scrambles are it.
Why scrambles are perfect when you have no golf mates:
it is a team score, so you are not “on show”
conversation happens naturally
you can be inconsistent and still have a great day
Search for:
Texas scramble
charity scramble
open scramble
society scramble day
3) Join a roll-up
A roll-up is one of the most common ways golfers meet other golfers in the UK and Ireland. Many are weekly and designed for exactly this.
How to make your first one easy:
arrive 15 to 25 minutes early
ask who runs it
tell them you are new and want to join in
focus on pace, not perfection
If you want a full step-by-step, link to your roll-ups guide here.
4) Ask the pro shop who is welcoming
This is underrated. Pro shops know who is friendly, who has space, and which days suit beginners.
Call and say:
“Hi, I’m looking for someone to play golf with. Do you run roll-ups or know any societies that welcome new people?”
You will get a real answer quickly.
5) Book as a single at a busy pay and play course
If you want to play this weekend and you have nobody to play with, this is a brilliant option.
Why it works:
busy courses often pair singles into existing groups
you get a round and you meet people at the same time
Tip:
Book popular slots where pairing is common, like weekend mornings, summer twilight, or midweek visitor times.
You can also link to your “Playing Golf Alone” post here.
6) Join a golf society near you
Societies are a great middle ground if you want regular golf without full club membership.
Why societies work:
regular diary dates
familiar faces
relaxed formats like scrambles and stablefords
access to different courses through society days
You have already published your Golf Society Near Me guide, link it here.
7) Use simulator venues and driving ranges as a shortcut
In winter especially, indoor golf is where a lot of new golf friendships happen.
Ask staff:
“Do you run leagues or socials that I can join as a single?”
Why it works:
shorter time commitment than a full round
after-work friendly
you see the same people each week, which builds familiarity fast
8) Enter open events and visitor days
Open events are structured, so you do not need a group to begin with.
Why they help:
guaranteed pairing
easy conversation starter
natural follow-up afterwards
Even one open a month can grow your golf circle quickly if you follow up.
9) Take a group lesson or beginner programme
Group coaching is underrated for meeting golfers, because everyone is there for the same reason.
Good signs:
beginner series, improver blocks
post-lesson social nine holes
regular weekly groups
After 2 to 4 weeks, you will usually have at least one person to play with.
10) Join a weekly league
Leagues are like roll-ups with a bit more structure. Great if you like consistency.
Look for:
winter leagues
midweek nine-hole leagues
simulator leagues
range ladder comps
You meet people by repetition, and the diary takes care of itself.
11) Be the person who asks once
This is the part people avoid, but it is how golf friendships start.
After a good round with someone, say one of these:
“Really enjoyed that. Fancy another game next week?”
“Want to swap numbers in case we book again?”
“I usually play [day]. If you ever need a partner, give me a shout.”
Most golfers are relieved someone has asked first.
What to say, simple scripts that work anywhere
If you are nervous, use these. They sound normal and friendly.
At the pro shop
“Hi, I’m looking for someone to play golf with. Do you have any roll-ups, societies, or friendly visitor groups?”
At the first tee when you’ve been paired up
“Hi, I’m [Name]. Nice to meet you. Thanks for letting me join.”
If you are a beginner or returning
“I’m a bit rusty, but I’ll keep pace.”
If you want to turn it into a regular thing
“Fancy a nine-hole round next week if you’re up for it?”
The 5 things that matter more than your score
If you want people to want to play with you again, this is the real list.
Keep pace, be ready, pick up if you’re having a tough hole
Be positive, nobody enjoys four hours of self-criticism
Don’t give swing advice unless asked
Respect the course, repair pitch marks and rake bunkers
Be honest and ask if you’re unsure about a rule
Do those, and you will be welcome almost everywhere.
The easiest shortcut if you have no golf mates yet
If you are reading this because you genuinely have nobody to play with, the quickest fix is to join a community that is built for organising golf.
Join the My Friendly Golf Club WhatsApp Community
It’s free, welcoming, and designed to help golfers across the UK and Ireland meet people and play more often.
When you join, post:
your area
your level (beginner, returning, handicap range)
when you like to play
Then ask:
“Anyone up for a friendly round this week?”
You can also start with our main guide Find Golf Partners in the UK & Ireland (link to your existing post).
FAQs
How do I find someone to play golf with near me?
Start with roll-ups, scrambles, society days, simulator leagues, and local golf communities. They are built around pairing people up and organising rounds.
Is it weird to play golf alone?
No. It’s common, especially at busy courses. Many singles get paired into groups and it’s one of the easiest ways to meet new golf mates.
Do I need a handicap to play with others?
Not always. Social rounds, scrambles, and many communities welcome beginners and returners without an official handicap. Some competitions and societies may require one for prizes.
What is the most beginner-friendly way to meet golfers?
Scrambles and relaxed roll-ups. Team formats remove pressure and make it easy to chat.
What should I do if I’m worried about slowing people down?
Tell your group you’ll keep pace, be ready to play, and pick up on a tough hole if needed. Most golfers care about pace, not perfect golf.
Wrap-up
If you are trying to find someone to play golf with, you don’t need a huge network. You need one good route and a simple follow-up habit.
Start with the option that feels easiest, do it twice, then follow up after good rounds. That’s how “no golf mates” becomes “I’ve got a regular game”.
If you want the simplest first step, join the My Friendly Golf Club WhatsApp Community and post your area and when you play.
