Golfers are cool people

Since I started golfing I've played probably 90% by myself. And while I enjoy it (and truthfully play a little better) it's more fun to play with some other folks. On several occasions I've wound up playing with folks I just met on the first tee and had a great time.

Once it was two old-timers approaching 70 who'd been golfing together since they were in their 20s (when the course was almost new) when they got out of the service. They both had the weirdest swings (push-hooks off the tee every time) but worked. They liked to "bet" big money on long tee-shots. I wound up down $50,000 to them by the 9th. Great guys who I hope to run into again. There's a lot to be learned from the geriatric set and not just about golf.

Another time I ran into two good ole boys, I think an Uncle and nephew who were complete rednecks out just having a good time drinking beer & hammering balls. As we were making the turn, a buddy of theirs caught up to us (a 4 handicap) who was probably the best golfer I've ever played with. I was ecstatic when only about 40 yards separated our first tee shots (he was using a new Nike driver while I was using my Ram K-mart special 3-wood). The disparity in skill levels was enormous, but we had a good time.

Again just the other day, I met a solo golfer on the first tee. A buddy of mine was waiting at the 2nd tee box so I invited the guy to join us. We played 9 and had a great time. He taught me how to hit a low-liner with some distance out from trees. I'd never been able to do that before.

I've done my share of complaining about slow groups ahead and certainly any course has its share of knuckleheads, but the majority of people I've met on the course have been first class people for sure. Golf really does seem to be a gentlemen's game.

You made bets totalling 50 grand in 9 holes???

But you play with a cheap 3 wood???

Or did I miss something in your story? But I have to agree golfers are a crazy bunch, but we stick together..

Seriously hope you came back up after the 50k swing or at least replaced the K-Mart specials.

I have to assume they were playing with fake money here.... I mean, a K-Mart special 3 wood....

Back to the topic though, when I first started playing, I found that I enjoyed myself more when I was with people I didn't know. First, they most likely wouldn't see me again (which proved to be incorrect...but I didn't know that at the time...) so I wasn't as embarressed of my game in front of them. Second, I found that with any golfer, you always have conversation. It can be anything from other golf courses they have played to politics to how much money is going to be bet!

Anyway...gotta run for now...

I love to get paired with strangers, but no club throwing please

Golf courses require 2 players to book a tee time...

How do you manage to play alone 90% of the time... ??? BTW, I always hate golfers who hurry up people, eventhough they are my golfing buddies. Patience ma friend... golf is not a race sport....

who saids you have to book a tee time?? I just drive to my course and get my stuff out of the car and go to the first tee, if there is someone I want to play with then I go with them if not I go by myself..

I also enjoy golfing with strangers and have developed golfing friends that way. If we had a good time golfing together we'll exchange phone numbers. We especially enjoy playing with strangers during out-of-state golf trips. During one of our trips we exchanged phone numbers and when we returned to the same area for golf we hooked up with them for a round of golf and dinner.

Well every golf course in my area (Bay Area) "says" that...

if people in my place doing what you are doing... imagine having a line up at the 1st tee during the peak hours... But cool.... you can practice anytime you want... since it's really hard to play at 9:00 AM at my place because it's always booked up...

In the early years of my golf life I hated being paired with strangers, now most of the time I really enjoy it.

This summer I was playing with my Father-in-law and a buddy when the starter asked if a guy could join us, of course we all said yes. His name was Paul and he was from Scotland.
He was here on business. One of the best golfers I have ever played with and a super nice guy. His son missed qualifying for the British last year by a stroke. After I got home I was adding some notes to my scorecard before putting it away and I happened to think, I would love to play with him again some day. I didn't get his number so I was bummed.

I don't want this to happen again so I made a business card with my name and number, e-mail and home course on it to exchange with golfers I meet on the course.

I almost always exchange business cards with "strangers" if I enjoyed playing with them. I don't have a regular group so if my other golf buddy is busy, I'm off on my own. I enjoy playing by myself, but I have a good time with others. I snuck out last week, exchanged cards and got a nice fee out of it because the guy knew I was a lawyer and a nice guy. Just turned out that one of his friends asked him for a recommendation for a lawyer the next day. You just never know who you'll meet.

"You made bets totalling 50 grand in 9 holes???"

Actually, it was $100,000 per drive on the last few holes and the last was $50K more, that's how I was only down $50K, I won the last drive.

"I have to assume they were playing with fake money here.... I mean, a K-Mart special 3 wood...."

Bingo! I'm not even close to betting $5 much less $100,000 bets.

My entire set of clubs cost $134 from K-mart. The irons are fine, but the 3 & 4 hybrids, 3, 5 & Driver are crap. I'm hoping to be able to have a decent set of clubs by Spring.

"Golf courses require 2 players to book a tee time..."

Not around here, especially this late in the season. As a beginner, I purposely avoid peak times and have never been asked to book a tea-time nor have I ever been forcibly paired by a Marshall. Things might be different in peak season on Saturday morning, but I've only been playing since August. Several times I've joined groups on the first tee as I mentioned earlier.

Cheers!

Yeah I've met a few cool people on the course as well. I've never called them for a repeat round, but it's something I might think about. Usually I'm with my buddies, but when I go alone it's nice to talk to someone. One thing I can't stand is golfers who talk trash when you don't even know them. Kind of irritating.

But, aside from that, golfers are by far the nicest people in the world. THey're always laughing and having a good time just being out there. I love it! The world needs more golfers.

I always know I have a special bond with a real golfer whenever I meet one - so I always give them the benefit of the doubt. I've never been let down.