Playing partners--Low handicappers

[TN94z]

For the low handicap players, do you have regular playing partners or do you go out by yourself a lot? I have some playing partners that are higher handicap players and while it is very fun to play with them, they don't seem to take it too serious and it makes me lose focus. I'm not blaming anything on them, because ultimately I should be able to stay focused regardless. But we just get to cutting up and joking around that its hard to be serious while playing. That got me to thinking about this question. I was just curious about your playing partners and what kind of skill level they are.

[Elvisliveson]

For the low handicap players, do you have regular playing partners or do you go out by yourself a lot? I have some playing partners that are higher handicap players and while it is very fun to play with them, they don't seem to take it too serious and it makes me lose focus. I'm not blaming anything on them, because ultimately I should be able to stay focused regardless. But we just get to cutting up and joking around that its hard to be serious while playing. That got me to thinking about this question. I was just curious about your playing partners and what kind of skill level they are.

Good topic. I've had all kinds through the years.

Not wanting to play alone frequently, there were times when I had to recruit much poorer players than myself. Right now, I have a couple of guys who are almost at my skill level and it's great because we push each other to improve. However, the most important thing for your enjoyment, IMHO, is not to match skill level, but find those people who enjoy and respect the game as much as you do. I do not go to the course to drink or fool around; I go to have fun playing the best golf I can. For me, people who play the clown or goof-off on the course usually do so out of insecurity about the state of their game. For example, we have a 4th guy that minimizes the art of putting by using one hand, going through his legs, backwards, etc... because he has always been a poor putter. There is nothing worse than overlooking a 4 footer to save par while some guy is trampling around the cup, acting like it's no big deal. Needless to say we stopped asking him to play very often. To reiterate, just let whomever you go with know in no uncertain terms that you are at the course to play golf, not to have a raucous day out with the boys.

[TN94z]

That is about the way I feel. I could care less if you want to joke around and drink or whatever, but when I am in my routine and about to hit, at least have the respect to be quiet and be still for those few seconds, you know? After I hit, you can do whatever you want.

[wedge player]

For the low handicap players, do you have regular playing partners or do you go out by yourself a lot? I have some playing partners that are higher handicap players and while it is very fun to play with them, they don't seem to take it too serious and it makes me lose focus. I'm not blaming anything on them, because ultimately I should be able to stay focused regardless. But we just get to cutting up and joking around that its hard to be serious while playing. That got me to thinking about this question. I was just curious about your playing partners and what kind of skill level they are.

i mostly play with my dad have since i started we are of the both skill level.although when we do play with others they are mostly high handicappers and for the most part i enjoy those rounds more.its good to have someone new in a group its fun.

[billm408]

I had a regular group for the last 10 years, but this year 2 of them have moved out of the area. We were all about equal skill wise so it was fun and the betting never got too far out of hand. We met at the same course years ago by playing as singles.

[cougar978]

For the low handicap players, do you have regular playing partners or do you go out by yourself a lot? I have some playing partners that are higher handicap players and while it is very fun to play with them, they don't seem to take it too serious and it makes me lose focus. I'm not blaming anything on them, because ultimately I should be able to stay focused regardless. But we just get to cutting up and joking around that its hard to be serious while playing. That got me to thinking about this question. I was just curious about your playing partners and what kind of skill level they are.

I have about four or five guys I normally play with - if no one can make it out, I have no problem going out as a single. Usually if the weather's good I can get in 36 on a twilight rate. I got 36 in in about 4 1/2 hours at Colonial (Williamsburg, VA) last weekend and got 36 in a week ago Wednesday and last Thursday at Kiln Creek in Newport News.

[enis750]

i have a few buddies i get out with regularily - who are ok golfers
one guy i try to get out with a lot is a good freind of mine...probably a 30+ hcp
but he just loves this game so much and is a golf freak like me and WANTS to improve
i try to give him tips when he asks - i told him i wont point anything out unless he asks, because i dont want to be "that guy"

one thing i do notice though..i usually dont play that well w guys thats are not at the same skill level
when i play w someone who is a similar skill level, i usually play quite well

i have had a pretty good year so far, but this past weekend i played 18 (two seperate 9's) w my bro in law
he is ok, but just doesnt care and gets bored after a few holes
it frusterates me, b/c i love this game so much and i usually dont play well w him
i ended up shooting 48 and 48 - which is so uncharacteristic of me and honestly my worst round(s) of the year
granted it was on two courses i have never played, but still......

anyways, sorry for the rant! hahah :)

[Kingfisher]

For the low handicap players, do you have regular playing partners or do you go out by yourself a lot? I have some playing partners that are higher handicap players and while it is very fun to play with them, they don't seem to take it too serious and it makes me lose focus. I'm not blaming anything on them, because ultimately I should be able to stay focused regardless. But we just get to cutting up and joking around that its hard to be serious while playing. That got me to thinking about this question. I was just curious about your playing partners and what kind of skill level they are.

Personally, I always prefer to play with better players, because I believe it makes you raise your game and there's always something you can learn from them.

Having said that, I don't mind playing with high handicappers from time to time - after all, we were all high handicappers once! I think the best thing to do is set aside some 'quality' time for 'serious' games with good players - don't tell your high handicap buddies! When you for play with your high handicap buddies, just try to relax and enjoy it for what it is.

[ks8829]

I have playing with my golf buddy for about 2 years now, he's a 3 handicap and we play match play with double or nothing on 18th.

I have watch him play and have improved my overall game including 3 round under par.

If you want to play better you should always play with someone better and you will discover that good player have a great short game, putting, chipping around the green and pitch shots. they will get up and down more than 50% of the time.

[enarhi]

I mainly play with a few people--buddies from high school golf who are comparable to myself, and then some friends who are newer to golf who I've been helping out. I don't worry about scoring when I play with high handicappers, since then it can be frustrating, and I'd rather just enjoy the chance to golf with good people. I've never been one to play solo--for me golf is a social pastime and isn't nearly as fun alone.

[NotAStick]

I have occassionally had problems with this. I love playing with single digit handicappers. I also find that playing with someone better than me tends to elevate my game. When I play with someone who is always digging in the weeds, the pace and focus really throws me off.

I also dislike playing alone because I tend to lose focus and hit lots of shots, expecting perfection. This is something I have to work on, but I expect perfection and when I don't hit it perfect, I have nothing to compare it to but the visualization I had of the ball sticking next to the hole, or rolling in the back of the cup and it's hard to let it go until i hit it just right.


I played the other day at a fairly challenging and expensive course. There were two italian guys with New York accents (reminded me of your stereotypical deli owner in The Bronx). One had mutton chops and the other hand the Rolli Fingers twirly mustache. I gave them a chance and introduced myself, but after the first hole, when they both spent 10+ minutes searching for multiple lost balls, we were already almost a hole behind. Gah.

Anyway, once we were 2 holes behind the pace and they were (by my count) each scoring double digits on every single hole. One of them stepped in front of me on the tee box on the 4th hole... normally I don't give a crap about teebox "honor" in a fun round, but he looked me in the eye and said "I got a par, you had a bogey".

hah. I had a 3-putt par on a par 5 and he had at least 14 by my count, though after hitting two balls OB and losing another in the weeds and re-doing his final putt 4 times, I guess he did have a par.


After 8 holes, I told them I my wife called and I had to hurry up (i'm single) and I skipped forward a hole to play the back 9.

Played the front nine in 41 (giving myself a par on 9) an the back nine in 34. heh.



On the same hand, many of my personal best rounds have been with players better than myself. I've never been randomly paired with someone who beat me, at least since I was a teen, however. So that tends to be limited to tournaments, which I don't play many of.


To be clear, I have no problem with higher handicappers, but I do have a problem with guys who hit EVERY drive in the weeds and the proceed to search for 5+ minutes and then try to hit it out of the weeds, multiple times, while their partner sits there watching, instead of going to find his ball in the tress on the opposite side of the fairway.

Gah.....

Sorry ok.. this has nothing to do with skill, it's just etiquitte.

In short, I agree with the OP - better players can elevate your game, as long as you don't try to replicate their shots. My only issue with that is playing with very long hitters makes me hesitate to play my game and take 3 wood on some holes, since it is a tad humiliating to have their 5 iron fly past my 3 wood.

[senorchipotle]

i get annoyed when playing with people who can't hit shots. usually people with 20 or more handicap fall into this category. i don't mind if someone's playing bogey golf, but if they're losing a couple balls a whole, then i usually just leave.

[halcon]

I am not a low handicapper (yet ), but I do usually play with some very good players. I believe that low handicappers SHOULD play with new players to TEACH them the proper etiquette for golf. Remember that the best way to have a nice round is to play with and around people that know how to behave in the field. Since not everyone is willing to read the basic rules, the best way to show them how to behave is to spent a round with them every now and then.
We normally accept anyone who wants to play in our group, and I have found that the majority of the new players are willing to learn, even when not every rule seems to make sense to them (like the proper time that should be spent looking for a lost ball, offer a faster group the pass, etc.).
Yes, sometimes you will be faced with an unbearable person, but fortunately those will be the exceptions.

[kevin.chan]

I have no problem playing alone or with my group of 6.

We play very fast golf .

The only thing that will spoil my game is playing too slow.

[David in FL]

My normal group is me, a 4 hcp and two 13's.

The 13's are great guys, but I tend to lose a little focus around them if I'm not careful. My fault entirely. When the 4 and I sneak out for a mid-week round, my game definitely moves up a notch. For me at least, that mental focus defines a fine line between a round in the mid-70's or better and just another indifferent 81.

[TN94z]

Don't get me wrong about my post. I don't care to play with high handicappers at all. There are a few guys that we play with that shoot around 100 for 18 while we are shooting in the 70s and low 80s. I don't care how you play as long don't play too slow and you don't act a fool on the course.

Playing with players that were A LOT better than me is what got me where I am today. I absolutely love playing with people that are much better. It just amazes me at some of their swings and that makes me really focus on what I am doing in an effort to match them.

I will give anyone advice that wants it...but I am not the guy that will just start offering up comments on someone else's swing. I never say a word unless someone asks for my advice.

I guess it all comes down to etiquette like someone stated above. That is the biggest thing that drives me crazy. You can shoot a 150..but as long as you are respectful of the rules and other players, you won't bother me at all.

[brotekind269]

I have a couple of friends that are low handicappers, that I play with. Ones a 5 and the other is a 9. When we get together we are always boozing and cutting up. They usually shoot in the high 80's but don't care because we always have a great time. They call me most of the time to play with them.