Men vs. Women

[Lefty731PM]

I mean it almost seems contemptous for a guy to blow one 250 down the pipe and then compliment his wife on a 135 yard bunt with the driver down the middle that will never get her to any par four green in regulation even from the reds. But it also seems kind of discourteous not to say something if that is the best they can do. I just don't get it.

You said it. You don't get it. So - according to your logic, if a pro was playing with an amateur who loved the game on a handicap of 10 - 20 (whatever that means - again you wrote it) and the amateur had 85 and played really well, the pro would be thinking "Man - if that's the best he can do I don't know why he bothers."

So what if a player can't hit greens in regulation? And did it occur to you that the girl on the scholarship might have been having a bad day? I, for one, believe that there are many reasons why people play the game. The woman you refer to probably has no interest in hitting par 4s in regulation - she's playing within her abilities, and, hopefully, enjoying our game. Ever wondered why we have handicaps? You obviously don't have one. If you did, you'd be able to see the folly of your post.

[Franco!]

I started choking on my coffee thanks to this statement. An 8 handicap that belly dances? Any chance of me erasing your BF out of the picture? LOL

Group attack on her boyfriend?

That's just too good to pass up.

[Fourputt]

I do hate to say it but I usually feel kind of sorry for the women the muni course starters randomly tee me up with. I've played with a lot of different women, even a couple older female bodybuilders I knew, (and first class eccentrics), and they just don't seem to generate much distance at all. It is profound how much of a disadvantage they usually are at. I don't know why they just don't get discouraged and give up the game. I mean their husbands usually outdrive them by at least 100 yards on every hole and then tell them "great shot". What the hell does that mean? I wouldn't be sure what I'd tell them. I mean it almost seems contemptous for a guy to blow one 250 down the pipe and then compliment his wife on a 135 yard bunt with the driver down the middle that will never get her to any par four green in regulation even from the reds. But it also seems kind of discourteous not to say something if that is the best they can do. I just don't get it.

First, you should compliment a player on what is a good shot FOR THEM... for their ability. You don't judge them based on your own ability. If a lady makes a nice swing, hits the ball solid and straight, I will almost always say "Nice shot!". But then I actually enjoy playing with women... they tend to be very pleasant playing companions. On the other hand, I'm not so sure about you....

I'm a starter at a busy public course and I see single women golfers all the time. True it's not as often as single males, but then there are more male golfers overall than female golfers. Plus they worry about getting stuck in a group with someone like you. Believe it or not, most of those women are there for the same reason as the men... to work on their games, get better, and HAVE FUN!!!

[MonkeyClaw]

At my course, I've seen that many of the ladies are out there to have fun and talk with friends. There's nothing wrong with that - many of the guys are out there for the same reason. I also notice these tend to be older ladies who play for the social aspect of the game.

OTOH, the more serious ladies (and men) care a lot about their game, get frustrated, and often have higher expectations than ability. Myself and my wife included. My wife routinely hits her driver over 200 yards off the tee with a nice draw, and outdrives many of the guys we play with. My golfing buddy's wife is the same. My wife's best friend from high school was a scholarship golfer and a scratch player. Long off the tee (220+), long off the grass (I saw her hit the green from 210 out with a 5-wood from the rough, over a water hazard) and a great putter (she had like three 3-putts when we played). She hadn't played 18 in several years when we played, either. She was all of 5' 7" and no more than 120 pounds. Oh yes - these were with her mother's clubs, too.

My point is that:
1) Physical strength and length can be helpful, but a good swing with power can be generated by anyone who can swing the club well;
2) Some people (women and men) play socially for the fun of the game, while others take it more seriously;
3) People who take the game seriously (men and women) get frustrated with bad shots, curse, cuss, and swear, and feel really great when hitting good ones.

I'll say that as a percentage, I've seen that more men than women take the game seriously on the course. This didn't make the men any better players though, just more frustrated

I agree that players should be judged on their own ability, not others. If someone routinely hit 135 off the tee, and they hit 150, it's a good shot for them. I'd rather be 150 off the tee in the fairway than 220 off the tee into the thick woods or OOB.

[julie_m]

Group attack on her boyfriend?

You better watch out, he's lanky, but he's strong...

[Grogger31]

Group attack on her boyfriend?

I'm a lover, not a fighter. I'd work the "charm" route to steal her away.