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  1. 1. Are you a gamesman?

    • Yes: I live inside the heads of my opponents.
      1
    • No: I think gamesmanship of any form is low-class.
      3
    • Frequently: in friendly games, we give each other a lot of grief.
      10
    • Seldom: I break out the gamesmanship only for the big matches.
      2


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Posted
I've just published an article on gamesmanship and I'm wondering: are you a gamesman? Vote above and then share your thoughts below.

I chose "frequently" because most of my golf matches aren't "matches" at all - they're just 18 holes with some friends, for a buck or two. The trash talk flies through all 18 holes, though we never do anything silly like talk during someone's swing, try to psych them out, etc. It's usually just commentary like "nice putt, grandma" and so on.

That's not really gamesmanship at all, but for the purpose of this poll, I'll say that it is.

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Posted
I voted seldom.

In the club knockout,I will make a player putt out short putt if i think he is getting worked up over short putts,if that constitutes gamesmanship.

In no other way would I try and gain an advantage by using gamesmanship

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Posted
I voted I think gamesmanship is low class, but let me clarify. When I'm with friends we give each other grief only because we always give each other grief. I love to laugh and have a good time on the golf course. My buddy Ryan often says "Noonan" on a short putt just because he's a wierdo, not because he's trying to "get inside my head."

I would have a real problem if my friends were really trying to throw me off in aggressive way. We give each other crap cause its funny, not because we really want to toss each other off our game. We celebrate good shots and encourage each other. I think you should let your game do the talking. Make your opponent earn points but never toss them off by acting like a selfish kid.

Jeff

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Posted
I voted frequently because my partners and I give each other "grief" frequently, but the spirit of our play is the same as that voiced by Muskegman.

There is a fine line between strategy, gamesmanship and poor sportsmanship. Conceding or not conceding putts in match play is what I would term strategy. If exercising my perogatives within the rules disrupts my opponent, so be it.

However, making comments about the course or an opponents style of play that are intended to disrupt him mentally is gamesmanship and is tacky at best. I would tend not to do that even if it was within the rules.

Jingling coins in your pocket as your opponent begins his downswing is poor sportsmanship of the worst sort. Such cretins have no place in a gentleman's game.
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Posted
When I out with the guys then it's fair game but we don't do it that often so as not to really upset a guy when he's having a bad day.

During a tournament it's bad mojo....what goes around comes around.
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Posted

I voted, "No". I understand that gamesmanship can be, and is, part of the game but, I'm not "wired" that way. I'll "high-five" you while you're kicking my butt all over the course. I want you to play your best because there's no satisfaction in coming in with the low score unless you have played your best.

More than that, if I can walk off the course after playing with a total stranger and his feeling is that he'd like to play golf with me any time, it don't get any better.

Rick


Posted
I voted frequently but I'd like to change my answer. I don't see gamesmanship as low-class except when you're trying to have a friendly round and you decide you have to beat your friends or playing partner to have fun.

You have to put on the heat sometimes, especially when you're playing for your school to win the league championships. But usually, I'm only worried about my own game and I actually try to block out my opponents or playing partners COMPLETELY.

Like the article said, its a double edged sword so if someone begins being a jerk for no good reason, they can guarantee I won't be giving them any 2 footers. When i'm playing for money or something with my friends, I usually just try and pressure them by taking everything very seriously instead of by saying anything that could get into their heads. Throwing off their focus doesn't feel as effective as REALLY putting the pressure on them over a putt that could potentially cost them their weeks allowance.
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Posted
Frequently.

I won't do it to a point where someone gets irritated, but with good friends it is always fun to push them to their limit. With people I don't know it is different...I like to feel them out a bit before deciding what to do. If they are showing gamesmanship, I will return the favor.

Fairways and Greens.

Dave
 

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Posted

I rarely play golf with the same partners. Usually I try to get out with a few senior men during the early morning hours.

I notice that they don't really get started hustling until I hit a mega drive and then they seem to come alive. By the third or fourth hole we're throwing quarters out for who can get closest to the pin, drop a long putt for birdie etc.

Those are my most fun moments on the course.

Sincerely,
Stacy Solomon


Posted

Right now most of my play is with my neighbors and they both play in the 100's so I don't mess with them too much. I've also just started playing Sundays with a group of guys (one of my neighbors is one of them) that I don't know well enough to mess with. Before I moved to Florida I played most rounds with some good friends and we all knew how to get in each others heads...that was fun . Luckily, these new guys haven't figured out that I hate to know my score at the turn, and they don't challange me to go for the low-percentage shot knowing I'll give it a go.

Chris

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