Can You Play Golf With 5 Players? (A Golf Professional’s Advice)

Can you play golf with 5 players? The answer is more than a simple yes or no, as it depends on the golf course and its policies. However, with the right knowledge and preparation, you can enjoy a round of golf with five players while following the rules and etiquette of the game. In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of golfing with five players, including what to expect, the rules you need to know, and expert tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable round.

To get to the point of whether or not you can golf with five in your group, I’ll answer, then break down the pros and cons of playing with four other players.

Playing Golf With 5 Players

Most, if not all, golf courses and private clubs will allow a fivesome to play. Although rules are in place at many facilities that ban playing with six in a group, five players are generally acceptable and recommended on the weekends when the course tends to be busier and rounds take longer.

Although golfing with five players in your group will likely be fine, and I know from research and experience that there are plenty of golf courses that allow 5 players near me, I recommend calling the course you plan to play well in advance to set a tee time and speak with the person or group in charge to ensure fivesomes are permitted. Usually, the head golf professional will be the right person to ask about the local rules regarding group size.

Bonus Tip: Can you play golf with 6 players? Although not unheard of, golfing with 6 players is less likely to be allowed, as most courses are concerned about the pace of play, especially on weekends. 

Benefits of Playing Golf With 5 Players

There are several benefits to playing golf with five players in your group. Here I break down and explain each one.

The Social Experience

If there’s one thing that stands out more than anything when it comes to playing golf with five players, it’s the benefit of enjoying your round with current and potentially new friends.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet countless people from all walks of life through playing golf. The majority of these people have become friends and valuable connections. In many cases, if I had not played in groups larger than two or three, and in some instances, four, I would have never had the opportunity to meet these people.

Bonus Tip: If you're a weekend warrior looking to expand your social circle and make new friends, I highly recommend playing with a foursome or a fivesome. It's a great experience and one that you won't forget.

The Competition

It may or may not go without saying, but if you’re naturally competitive, playing with five people in your group will bring out the competitive vibes, especially in a team format.

Although recreational golf can be enjoyable, adding a little friendly competition can be the key motivator to elevate your game to the next level. Pressure and competition are excellent learning experiences for golfers of any skill level, especially those who aspire to play in tournaments or those who are beginner level golfers and want to gain experience under pressure without playing in a golf tournament.

Negatives of Playing Golf With 5 Players

Although no doubt playing golf with five players in your group has its upsides, but, like anything else, there are a few downsides you should be aware of, which I have listed below.

Slow Play

Perhaps the most obvious negative to golfing with five in your group is taking longer to complete a round. There’s no way around it because, for the most part, playing golf with five players will take longer than playing with 2 or 3 and perhaps a good bit longer than playing as a foursome throughout 18 holes.

Playing golf with five players in your group may not be the best idea if you are on a tight schedule. While a few 9-hole courses will allow fivesomes without a time limit, most 18-hole golf courses will have some type of policy that reduces a round to around 4 hours. If you’re in a hurry and want to find time for a quick round of golf, consider playing golf alone or with just one other person.

How to Speed Up Slow Play

You can mitigate slow play by playing a scramble or a 3-on-2 type format to speed up play if the group wants to stick with stroke play. However, there’s always the option to turn the group into a match-play scenario where three players take on two—in this situation, the two best players will be on a team, or two players will be given a couple of strokes a side or so to even up the match. You can even use a quota format to have a friendly competition among the group, which is a great way to level the playing field for each golfer and speed up the play.

Another way to speed up the pace is to utilize ready golf, or alternate shot, where one player hits the tee shot and another hits the approach. Although this differs from regular stroke or match play, it’s still a great way to work on your golf game and improve your handicap.

More Distractions

Sometimes playing with more people can become a distraction. Whether talking, taking too much time between shots, or not paying attention to the situation, having others around may hinder our game. However, this should be manageable if you’re a casual golfer who enjoys good company.

Regardless of the situation, try not to let the pace of play or your surroundings affect your game. Learning to deal with distractions and playing golf with slow players is part of being a golfer, and although golf should be enjoyable, occasionally, we all have to deal with distractions on the course.

The Choice Is Yours

So, can you play golf with 5 players? Usually, you can. However, now that you know the pros and cons, you have to decide if doing so is right for you and your game. Most importantly, you have to figure out how to get five people together and onto the golf course. You’re off to a good start if you’re lucky enough to have two other friends who play golf. From there, you can create a Facebook group and invite friends or make it a point to meet new people at your local golf club or the gym.

One of the best ways to meet other golfers is by getting a golf membership at a local country club or course. You can save money on green fees in the long term, and the potential connections and friends you can make are priceless.

To sum up, it’s up to each player whether they are willing to play with five players in their group. As listed, both have benefits and downsides; however, I recommend at least trying to play with five players in your group and seeing what you think of the situation. You may like the competition and enjoy the camaraderie.

Regardless of your golf group size, keep playing and enjoying the game because that’s what it’s all about and why we should play in the first place.