You are playing with friends and want to get into their head a little for some fun....what good hearted stuff do you do?

[Valleygolfer]

We usually are complimentary but on occasion during a friendly match we like to throw a wrench in each others game. Usually just at critical points to try to prolong the competitive portion of the match.

One of my buddies likes to remind me what is riding on my shot/putt... "You can win this hole with the putt" or "you got the match if you win this hole"...

It doesn't affect me but it is humorous..

I like to remind them (subtly yet somewhat elaborately) how good they are hitting the particular club they have in their hands or talk him into going for the green when they are at an either way point... Neither are negative but play on using human nature to get someone thinking or swinging for the fence...

Hell they may not work at all but it is all good with friends... What is your schtick?

[Ernest Jones]

I remind them of the rules, drives them bat-shit.

[nevets88]

I remind them about the trouble spots not to hit it to. Don't think about elephants. What do you think about? Elephants.

[Kelzzy]

When I'm playing with my friend, we like to cough or make weird noises in eachothers back swings.. Well, I don't do it, he does.. but you get the point.

I just never get the concept of getting in someone's head. Yeah, I know intimation is legit, which everyone competing should do.. but talking to them eye to eye trying to freak them out, I've never did that.

But if you want, you can always say "THIS IS FOR SATAN" or "THE POWER OF LUCIFER GIVES YOU STRENGTH" in their back swing.

[Kelzzy]

I remind them of the rules, drives them bat-shit.

GOD DAMNIT I HIT THE ELEPHANT AGAIN

[David in FL]

Good buddy of mine is 3 hcp and much younger and longer than I am, but will sometimes get a little hooky if he really goes after it.  I'd rather win $5 from him than find a $100 bill on the ground.   If our match is close, I'll occasionally mention to him that I haven't seen him roll one over all day.....

Just to be clear though, it's NEVER alright to make an abrupt noise or comment in the midst of someone's swing.

[Kelzzy]

Good buddy of mine is 3 hcp and much longer than I am, but will sometimes get a little hooky if he really goes after it.  If our match is close, I'll occasionally mention to him that I haven't seen him roll one over all day.....

Just to be clear though, it's NEVER alright to make an abrupt noise or comment in the midst of someone's swing.

Yeah, I said I didn't do it, and never will, but when I'm beating this one kid I play with he retreats to squealing in my backswing.

[nevets88]

Just to be clear though, it's NEVER alright to make an abrupt noise or comment in the midst of someone's swing.

Someone find that hey batter batter commercial with Charles Howell it was I think.

[Valleygolfer]

Sometimes I will talk about how slow or fast the green is before their putt, or if I putt first, say "wow I crushed that" just get them to question speed...

And no talking or moving during a back swing. I had a guy that was standing behind me while I was getting ready to drive and mid back swing he starts walking to his bag. Threw me completely off.

[SloverUT]

They say Hagen was the master of psychological ploys in match play. Its not a new concept but I will often give a player gimme putts early in the round. Then if he has one at the end of the round and the match is close ill make him putt it out. Generally works well.

[jetsknicks1]

When one of my buddies and I play, it's usually pretty close and we will defly try to eff with each other. Last weekend he came out of the gate with four straight pars. On the 5th tee box I said "Man, if you can avoid your usual Tin Cup hole, I think you got me today", he promptly put two the water, shot double par and completely fell apart the rest of the way. :-D

[Lihu]

Just to be clear though, it's NEVER alright to make an abrupt noise or comment in the midst of someone's swing.

Even the "strategic" cough or sneeze?

[David in FL]

Even the "strategic" cough or sneeze? :whistle:

LOL.... But nope. Get in his head, but startling him in the backswing isn't right...

[lumpuckeroo]

I exhale just before I swing, what do you do?  Think about it!!!

[Lihu]

I exhale just before I swing, what do you do?  Think about it!!!

That's kind of like asking if you sleep with your chin above or below the sheets :-D

[rehmwa]

I exhale just before I swing, what do you do?

One of the guys asked me that and I actually told him and why.....he duffed his next shot......

others that get people 'thinking' too much about their swing

"That's great how you keep from hooking with that grip"

"It's really helped me to follow through out towards first base, how about you?"

"Are you really gonna hit a knockdown with the ball so far forward?"

"is your back ok?  seems like you're standing up straighter during your putts than usual.....I have Advil if you want some"

[Foursum Golf]

I was playing out of a bunker during a match play tournament and my opponent started talking to me about how fluffy he thought the sand was at the course we were playing. I chunked it and didn't get out of the bunker. I would have shrugged it off if it was a buddy, but didn't appreciate it during an official event, so I beat him 5&4.

[Valleygolfer]

I exhale just before I swing, what do you do?  Think about it!!!

I asked a similar question. "Do breathe in or out during your swing?" It has often worked to mess with heads and occasionally have clubs throw in my direction....