Can You Golf with 5 People?

So you’ve got a group of five golfers, and you’re wondering if you can all play together on the same tee time. The short answer is that while it's not the standard, it's sometimes possible with the right approach. This guide will walk you through why courses typically stick to foursomes, how you can get permission for your group of five, and the best strategies to ensure your round is fast, fun, and respectful to everyone else on the course.

The Official (and Unofficial) Rule on Fivesomes

Walk up to most golf courses and ask to send a fivesome out, and you will likely be met with a polite but firm "no." The standard grouping in golf is a foursome, and this isn't an arbitrary rule. Courses build their entire operational rhythm around groups of four, and straying from that can cause a ripple effect of delays across the entire course.

What's the Big Deal with One Extra Player?

From the outside, adding just one person might not seem like a problem. But for the course manager trying to maintain a smooth flow of play, that fifth golfer represents a significant disruption. Here’s why most courses hold the line at four:

• Pace of Play: This is the number one reason. A golf course is a conveyor belt, with tee times typically spaced 8 to 12 minutes apart. Foursomes are timed to finish a hole in about 15 minutes, which keeps them a comfortable distance from the group behind them. A fivesome, even a very efficient one, inherently takes more time. More players mean more shots, more pre-shot routines, and more time spent walking to balls. A single slow fivesome can cause backups that frustrate every group behind them for the rest of the day.
• Tee Sheet Management: The course's booking system is designed to maximize the number of players while maintaining a good pace. They sell golf in blocks of four. Allowing a group of five means another group somewhere on the tee sheet must be a threesome or smaller, which can represent a loss of revenue for the course.
• Cart Logistics: Standard golf carts are built for two. A foursome fits perfectly into two carts. A fivesome requires a third cart, which can feel crowded on cart paths and around greens. Or, it means one person walks while four ride, creating an awkward logistical challenge of its own.

Because of these factors, the default answer is almost always no. But "almost always" isn't "always." You just need the right game plan.

The Game Plan: How to Actually Play with 5 People

Getting a yes for your fivesome requires more than just showing up and hoping for the best. It requires planning, demonstrating respect for the course's rules, and proving you won't be a problem for the pace of play. Think of it less as asking for a favor and more as presenting a solution.

Step 1: Always, Always Call the Course Ahead of Time

This is the most critical step and non-negotiable. Do not just show up with a group of five. The on-duty pro shop attendant will be forced to say no, and it puts them in an uncomfortable position. A phone call shows professional courtesy and gives you a chance to make your case.

When you call, ask to speak to the Head Pro or the course manager. Frame your request respectfully:

"Hi, I have a group of five experienced golfers, and we were wondering if it would be possible to play as a fivesome? We are all very serious about fast play and would be happy to play a scramble or another quick format. We were hoping to book a time when the course is less busy, like a weekday afternoon or a twilight round. Is there any possibility of making that work?"

By asking this way, you're showing them you understand their primary concern (pace of play) and you're already offering solutions. The best times to aim for are:

• Twilight Hours: The last few tee times of the day are ideal. There are fewer groups behind you to hold up.
• Mid-Week Afternoons: A Tuesday at 2:00 PM is much quieter than a Saturday at 8:00 AM.
• The Off-Season: Courses are much more likely to be flexible when their tee sheet isn't full.

Step 2: Choose the Right Kind of Course

Your chances of success vary wildly depending on the type of course. A high-end, busy public course that does 300 rounds a day is mission impossible. A quiet, rural municipal course might welcome the business. Private clubs are often the most flexible, but usually only for their members and their guests. Target courses that you know are typically less crowded.

Playing Fast: Your Fivesome's Guide to Keeping Pace

If you get the green light, the ball is in your court to make good on your promise of fast play. This is where your on-course strategy becomes everything. Your goal shouldn't be to just keep up with a foursome, your goal should be to play as fast as a foursome.

Embrace Faster Game Formats

Instead of five players playing their own ball stroke-play (which is the slowest way to play), adopt a format that is built for speed and fun. This is your best weapon for keeping pace.

The 5-Person Scramble: Your Best Friend

This is the gold standard for a fast-fivesome. In a scramble:

1. Everyone hits a tee shot.
2. The team chooses the best shot out of the five.
3. All five players then hit their next shot from that spot.
4. Repeat this process until the ball is in the hole.

This is dramatically faster than normal play. It reduces the time spent looking for errand shots, everyone a good lie, and there's only one score to keep. Plus, it's a very low-pressure and fun format perfect for a friendly game.

"One Sits Out" or "Scotch Fivesome"

Another great option. In this format, you play as a foursome on every single hole. One person simply sits the hole out on a rotating basis. For instance, player A sits out on hole 1, player B on hole 2, and so on. This maintains the pace of a standard foursome while allowing everyone to play in a group. Sometimes the sitting player will just putt when the group gets to the green.

Practice Good Pace-of-Play Etiquette

Beyond the format, your group's behavior on the course makes a huge difference. Every member of the group must be committed to these principles:

• Play "Ready Golf": This is the most important rule. Don't play based on who is "away" (furthest from the hole). Hit when you're ready, as long as it's safe and you're not in someone's line. The moment you get to your ball, figure out your yardage and club selection. Be ready to hit when it's your turn.
• Efficient Cart Management: If you take three carts, be mindful of where you park. Park on the paths and position them strategically for a quick exit to the next tee. If you have two carts, the walkers should start heading to their balls while the others drive, and you can rotate who walks every couple of holes.
• Keep Your Pre-Shot Routine Brief: A fivesome is not the time for a 90-second routine. Take one or two practice swings and hit the ball.
• Plan Ahead: While others are hitting, plan your own shot. While others are lining up their putts, start reading your own break. Continuous movement and preparation are key.
• Be Ruthless About Lost Balls: Follow the three-minute search rule strictly. If a ball looks like it might be lost, hit a provisional. If someone is searching, the other four players should hit their shots to save time.
• Be Hyper-Aware and Let People Through: This is a big one. Keep an eye on the group behind you. If they are consistently waiting on you, even for a moment, let them play through at the next opportunity. It's a sign of respect and shows the course you're taking your responsibility seriously.

What If the Answer is a Firm "No"? Alternative Options

Sometimes, no matter how persuasively you ask, the course just can't accommodate you. Don't let it ruin the day. You still have plenty of options to get your golf fix with the whole group.

1. Split Up: This is the simplest solution. Book back-to-back tee times as a threesome and a twosome. You can all hang out before and after the round at the 19th hole.
2. Find a Par-3 or Executive Course: These shorter courses are often much more relaxed about group sizes and pace of play. It could be a great and less-stressful way to enjoy the day together.
3. Hit the Range or a Golf Simulator: Head to a modern driving range with bay-style setups (like Topgolf) or book a couple of simulator bays side-by-side. These environments are built for larger groups and social fun.

Final Thoughts

Golfing with five people is definitely an exception, not the rule, but it is achievable. A successful fivesome depends on excellent communication with the course beforehand and an ironclad commitment from every player in your group to prioritize playing quickly and efficiently.

To help your group play faster, confidence and quick decision-making are essential. For this, we designed Caddie AI to act as your immediate on-course expert. When you’re trying to save time during a scramble, you can get a simple, smart strategy for the hole right on the tee. If a player is stuck on how to handle an awkward lie in the rough, you can snap a photo of the situation and our AI will provides clear, actionable advice in seconds, removing the indecision that slows groups down and helping everyone make smart, fast choices to keep your game flowing.