Golfers talk—a lot. About courses, partners, gear, weather, you name it. And while we claim to hate certain on-course situations, many of them are little joys in disguise. Here are seven “annoyances” golfers grumble about but quietly love—and how to make each one work for your scorecard.

1) Early Morning Tee Times

Why we say we hate it: The alarm goes off before sunrise—again.

Why we secretly love it: Empty fairways, cooler temps, quicker pace of play, and you’ve still got the rest of the day for family, errands, or a bonus nine.

Make it work for you: Pack the night before, sip water on the drive, and hit five putts + five wedges—your simplest, fastest warm-up.

2) Taking a Golf Cart

Why we say we hate it: “Walking keeps me loose and helps me score.”

Why we secretly love it: Carts are easy, fun, and efficient. You stay fresher late in the round, keep your rhythm between shots, and stash all the little comforts that make a round enjoyable.

Make it work for you: Park pin-high on the cart path, bring only two clubs to the ball, and use the back-nine energy to finish strong.

3) Not Getting Paired on the First Tee

Why we say we hate it: “This could be a slow day.”

Why we secretly love it: Solo or twosome rounds let you practice different shot types, drop a second ball, or rehearse your pre-shot routine without pressure.

Make it work for you: Pick a theme—fairway woods off tees, flighted wedges, or lag-putt speed. Keep moving and you’ll play in record time.

4) Playing in the Rain

Why we say we hate it: Wet grips, soggy socks, questionable lies.

Why we secretly love it: Fewer golfers out, receptive greens, and a calm, cozy vibe when you’re prepared.

Make it work for you: Pack rain gloves, a small towel under the umbrella, and club up one; prioritize center-green targets and commit.

5) Spinning a Shot Off the Green

Why we say we hate it: “It landed next to the pin and rolled off—brutal.”

Why we secretly love it: You compressed the ball and generated tour-style spin. That’s quality contact.

Make it work for you: Land it a few yards past the ridge, choose slightly less spin (more loft, softer swing), or play the safer middle and putt uphill.

6) Giving Strokes

Why we say we hate it: “Why am I spotting everyone shots?”

Why we secretly love it: It means you’re the stronger player today. Embrace the challenge and sharpen your course management.

Make it work for you: Aim for the fat side, favor fairways over max distance, and let consistency beat hero golf.

7) Missing Greens Long

Why we say we hate it: Over the green can be a tough up-and-down.

Why we secretly love it: You have the distance. Knowing you can cover a number builds confidence and frees the swing.

Make it work for you: Note wind and elevation, aim for center-green yardage, and practice the soft-landing chip from tight lies behind greens.

Final Thought

The quirks we complain about often hide the reasons we love this game: quiet mornings, creative shots, small wins in tough conditions. Reframe the “annoyance,” put a plan around it, and you’ll turn hidden pleasures into lower scores.