Don't Be Mistaken. Embrace the Random Single.

So you’re at the range a few minutes before your tee time. You and your two buddies are warming up, getting ready to shoot the most beautiful 88s anyone’s ever seen—because, let’s be honest, we all stink at this game. You grab your clubs, get in your carts—or just pick up your bag, if you’re a real one and know walking is a thousand times better than riding—and head to the first tee. Then the starter utters the very words you were hoping not to hear: “Your fourth will be joining you in a minute.”

You all look at each other. “No, this is gonna kill the vibe!”

But what you don’t understand is that you're the ones killing the vibe.

A post from Barstool Sports started to make its rounds around Golf Twitter on Wednesday, where the guys are talking about how random singles being added to your group is the worst. And with a little inspiration from Skratch’s head man, Chad Mumm, I can now say this with confidence.

Not only do I embrace a random fourth, but I’ll do the very same thing.

Getting a tee time these days is impossible, and if you’re used to playing alone during the week, it’s that much harder to find a completely open tee slot. Most players will find another day to play or wait for their buddies to join over the weekend.

Not me.

I head to that first tee prepared and ready to go on a two- or four-hour adventure with complete strangers, because you never know what that will turn into.

I was at my local muni just a few weeks ago and was paired with three guys who play together all the time. We shook hands on the first tee and immediately started talking about each other’s games, what clubs we’re using, what courses we like to play in the area, all the small talk stuff you can imagine.

But as soon as the round starts, a funny thing begins to happen.

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Every shot is immediately followed by praise or reassurance. You start to root for each other. High-fives start to become a common occurrence, whether it’s for a holed putt or stuffed approach.

And if the vibes are bad, it’s probably your fault.

You probably were pissed as soon as it happened, and now your ostracizing the player that joined you. Every tee box is awkward, conversations aren’t happening on the way to the green, all because your attitude is bad.

And those random three guys I played with? Well, after we holed our putts on the ninth green—we shared a twilight stroll—we exchanged numbers and I’ve played with them a couple times since.

Isn’t that what it’s all about!?

Meeting people through golf is the best. The amount of stuff you can learn about another person while walking fairways together is pretty incredible.

So do yourself a favor the next time a single joins you—don’t be a dick!