Low handicappers, be honest: Do you like...

[Fourputt]

I play off a low handicap and personally I don't mind who I play with so long as they are nice people. I'd rather play with a nice friendly bloke in his sixties who doesn't mind having a chat and a joke and watch him have 105 than play with a 2 marker who's a surly wanker any day.

Well said. I've played with a few low cappers who I'd just have soon knocked over the head with my 9I. Just having a low handicap doesn't necessarily make for a good golfing companion.

[Big_M]

Im with everyone else. It does not bother me at all, as long as they keep up.

I would only add that they follow etiquette and not walk all over my line or yap and move around while I'm hitting.

couple side notes: 1) I usually would rather be paired up with one or two guys rather than play alone as a single unless I'm in a hurry or something. 2) only bad thing is I usually play my best with others of same or similar ability or people better than me.

[Uthinkso]

My only real gripe is attitude and acting out on the course. There are a few scratches I know that act out like a 30+ handicapper when their game falls off. It annoys me and disrupts my game, and I'd rather not play with them. If thats the case I will often split apart from that person or group and just play alone but in front of them. It usually works out well.

[JonnyGolf]

I don't mind high handicappers, but it can get a bit tedious as I feel inclined to look for their balls and that takes away from my preparation. It's better if I'm playing in "practice mode", hitting shots I wouldn't ordinarily hit or even dropping balls just to have a specific distance.

I totally agree that playing with better players helps your game, but the most important item is to have fun partners who maintain pace of play.

[JCDot33]

I am by no means a low "capper" but I have played with many people who are just horribe (my "practice course" is small muni for older gents) ... I never mind getting paired up with anyone, as long as the person I am playing with isn't ruining my round if we are both having a good time then I will play with anyone ...

[whip_it_out]

Most of the low handicappers I've been paired with were nice folks -- or, at least, polite about things. I play bad golf but I do play it fast, so at least I don't hold them up.

If they play fast, i'll play with them any day of the week.

[CG031]

If they are:
nice people
have good golf ettitquette
play at a fast, or at least average pace
I'll play with them.


If they are lacking any of those above qualifications, I'll be quick to ditch them.

[iQuest Golfer]

I hate to admit it but I don't like it. Now I have played with some high cappers who played like lightning and that was fine. But I feel like I need to help hunt for balls for my playing partners and I get tired of doing that after awhile. I end up losing focus. Something I'm learning to get over. Not proud of my answer. Trying to adjust.

Hunting for lost balls is a PITA. I lose focus and concentration. Like you, I deal with it and try my best to be encouraging but it's hard when higher handicappers start fishing for balls other than theirs and that becomes the focus of their game.

Last week I played with a guy that collected 24 golf balls through 12 holes. I asked him nicely to quit fishing and play golf. (PS... I've learned to look for 3 minutes and move on to my provisional; many times it's playing the provis directly.) His retort? "What's it to you?" Then came the discussion on etiquette and slow play and respect and ... when we got to the heart of the problem, I had to laugh... his reasoning for fishing is that he has never come to grips with the cost of golf balls... even since he was a kid (he's probably in his early 50s) and had no money to buy them - he collected golf balls from a creek that ran through a golf course next to his house, sold the balls to golfers outside the fence from a bread bag, never really golfed until he was in his 30s. By hole 15, this guy was way passed "too much information." In the end, I gave him permission to buy a sleeve of balls, gave him absolution for his many years of guilt for fishing beyonf the 5-minute limitation, and charged him $75 for the psych consult. It turned out to be a good round!

[polodinks]

i aint a low handicap, this might not apply to the subject but i hate when i play with someone < my brother who doesn't watch they're ball and get mad at you cause you didn't and now you have to hire a search party to look for it, or steps on your line...... i feel if i have to watch for shit he does like his ball where hes shooting or what hes doing i cant play my game...... i know its just a game but keep and watch your own game not rely on someone else to

[SteveL1]

I think most people would prefer to play with similar or better players, but as long at the individual is personable and plays quick, I could care less what their handicap is. The only thing that really bugs me is slow play. My Mom, bless her heart, would shoot high 90's - low 100's, but if she couldn't play in under 4 hours, she didn't want to play. Now that's the way it should be!

[Guest]

i played on some mini tours that had pro-ams. i've played with the entire spectrum of golf ability. it comes down to personality, not ability. i've played with guys that would kick my butt up and down the course that i wouldn't want to play with ever again. i've played with guys that could rarely get the ball up in the air and rarely hit it straight, and almost never do both at the same time that i love to play with.

play fast, have fun, be personable and if someone doesn't enjoy playing golf with you, that is their problem!

[Todd]

Being a relatively newcomer to the game (Summer 06), and missing out on playing time due to deployment, I cherish anytime I can play, whether it is by myself, with someone I know, or someone I get paired with. I am always open to any advice my playing partner can give and am anxious to learn to improve. Having said this, I really haven't had the time to figure out my handicap. i just took a guess as to how much I am always over par. I generally shoot in the 110-130s, but can say this, 'Every round I play, my score always is lower than the round previous. I always keep track of each individual 9 to see my progress from last round. I am hoping that I will break 100 during leave in October. That's my goal anyway. I love this game and realize that I am lucky to be able to get out and play it and just enjoy nature.

[chrt396]

Keep up the pace...you are OK. If you lose your temper on a bad shot..that's OK as long as they don't hold the attitude past that hole. I get frustrated at my crappy play at times and I vent. However,,,with that said...I walk back to the cart...and say.."Oh Well.... lets keep trying!" If I held on to the attitude..it would only ruin my day as well as others that pay good money to play this frustrating game. Throwing clubs is horrible however...and shall not be tolerated. PERIOD!! The rest is kind of amusing.

[Petden]

A friend of mine is on the junior PGA tour, and is ranked around 13th in Canada. I played a round with him once, let me tell you, that is the last time I will play with someone of that caliber. His average time for an 18 is like 3hours.

My shots are not very good so to see his the way they were just embarased me. I felt awful for holding him up. He said he didnt mind but w/e, maybe someday but not now.

[texaseagle76]

Honest...heck no. If by some quirk of fate I am paired with a "highndcp" Id be more tolerant if quick player and dont stand in my line, dont move when I am playing, and ask questions if you dont know.

[merklitl]

I'm a newcomer to the game and I've gone out to play on my own late in the afternoons recently. I'm always nervous to be paired up with someone a lot better than me, because at times my game resembles polo more than golf (hit...walk a few feet...hit...etc...) and I don't want to ruin anyone's day. Luckily the course has been slow, so I just head out as a single.

I will say one day I joined up with a retired couple playing ahead of me. I warned them when they invited me that I was learning. They were friendly and helpful with some rules I wasn't clear on and shared some tips (but not a ton). In return, I made sure to mind my behavior (not that i'm a boor, but when I golf with buddies, we get a bit salty), ask questions, and made sure to thank them for their company when we finished. It was enjoyable!

I'll play with anyone as long as they don't condescend me or try to pull a David Leadbetter on every shot. We all have to start somewhere...

[NM Golf]

Not to sound like a golf snob but just how high a handicapper are we talking about? I play every weekend with a 13 handicap and enjoy every round. That being said I would rather not play with a really high handicapper, someone who tops shots, hits huge slices, etc. I will say this, I will play with anyone who can break 95 regularly. It is just monotonous for me to play too much with people who can't break 100. They hit it three or four time before I hit twice, I get bored. That may not be PC on the forum but it just my opinion.

[Fat Slice]

My buddy who is a 1.2 index player started asking me to come along and play. I started off shooting in the 130s for months. After 3-4 years, I am now shooting around 100. I made sure not to slow him down or throw a fit (not my style anyway), didn't ask for advice, etc. He just plays his game and is pretty oblivious to what I am doing, unless I hit a good shot - then he says "nice shot!" I am sure my play would frustrate a lot of good players.