Golfers vs. People Who Golf

[wedgewizard]

I find it of interest that many of the same folks here who complain about "slow play" are also the ones who seem dead against folks picking up a "gimme putt", or improving their lie, or anything else that might speed up play but isn't in the rules.

I'm glad that the guys that I golf with are not so uptight.
Nothing turns a fun day of golfing into a miserable drudgery quicker than some killjoy who wants to treat every game like it's a life-or-death situation.

[Lefty22]

  dansensel said:

I guess I didn’t understand that you are always playing in tourneys or other competitions.

He's not - he's just saying he always plays GOLF - not making up his own game

  dansensel said:

When I play, it is normally just to play the game. The way I am interpreting the handicap manual, for handicapping purposes shots can be conceded.

You seriously contradicted yourself here in my opinion - if you play to play the game then PLAY THE GAME not "the way you're interpreting" the game. If you are playing a round with a group of guys and counting your STROKES (thus stroke play) then you are NOT playing against those guys but their score in relation to par (really you are playing the course if you want to get down to the facts) so how can any of them concede a stroke to you? They can't - it's not golf

  dansensel said:

How that relates to your standing in a tourney is completely different. In a tourney, I would definitely expect to hole out every hole. But in a casual weekend game, I would give and take gimmies, and still consider the score to be legit and use it for my handicap. Remember, lowering your handicap only hurts you in competition.

So does the attitude your are displaying with these posts - you seem to be one of the individuals who think there are two kinds of Golf - "Tournament Golf" and "Other". There isn't - you're citing a made up concept as validation for a baseless argument. Either say you cheat at Golf or say your don't play golf but don't say you play "your interpretation" of Golf - that's Calvinball

  dansensel said:

Not trying to start any sort of arguement, just want to see how others would interprete the handicap manual. Assuming you are not in a tournament and another players tells you to pick up a putt, do you consider that a legal score according to the USGA handicapping system?

There is no argument (or debate over interpretation for that matter) I'm a Golfer - that person telling me to pick up my ball is just some dude on a golf course watching me play golf (not a golfer) trying to understand the game I'm playing. So to give you an answer - NO - I'm not picking up my ball just because some random dude told me "it's good" to pick it up.

[goslin23]

I'm kinda torn if I'm a golfer or someone who plays golf given the descriptions/criteria in some of these posts. If I'm out playing a round simply for the enjoyment of the game where the score doesn't really matter (it's usually a practice round to work on the things that I've been trying to fix on the range), I'll take a mulligan here or there or improve my lie.

On the other hand, if there is any hint of competition or if I'm trying to get a score for handicap reasons, then I play by the rules. Holing all my putts, playing the ball as it lies and adding penalty strokes where necessary.

So I guess it depends on the situation whether I'm a golfer or someone who golfs...

-=gos=-

[rckwd]

  goslin23 said:

I'm kinda torn if I'm a golfer or someone who plays golf given the descriptions/criteria in some of these posts. If I'm out playing a round simply for the enjoyment of the game where the score doesn't really matter (it's usually a practice round to work on the things that I've been trying to fix on the range), I'll take a mulligan here or there or improve my lie.

Very well said -=gos=-

....and welcome to the Sand Trap

[Elvisliveson]

  goslin23 said:

I'm kinda torn if I'm a golfer or someone who plays golf given the descriptions/criteria in some of these posts. If I'm out playing a round simply for the enjoyment of the game where the score doesn't really matter (it's usually a practice round to work on the things that I've been trying to fix on the range), I'll take a mulligan here or there or improve my lie.

Not really difficult, you sound like a golfer. The fact that you play by the rules when recording your scores makes you a golfer. Golfers have been known to work on their games and play practice rounds, you know.

[2bGood]

  Leftygolfer said:

I am a golfer for sure. I don't care what others do but there are some things that annoy me. People who don't think I should putt out and you can see the annoyance when I mark a 2 and half footer. I am going to make that, I have to turn in this score!! I have a buddy who could be good, really athletic, I am a little better than him, but he cheats and then says I beat you by a stroke. WTF!! You moved your ball out of a hole, I make a double from the worst lie ever and you think you beat me?? Playing the ball down is at least 3-4 shots.

That why you play for money - even just a few bucks. If you are playing for "fun" then it none of your buisness how he counts his strokes. If you are playing for money, then he has to count his strokes (or at least what ever you agree to before the round)

[TN94z]

  wedgewizard said:

I find it of interest that many of the same folks here who complain about "slow play" are also the ones who seem dead against folks picking up a "gimme putt", or improving their lie, or anything else that might speed up play but isn't in the rules.

My group plays fast and don't pickup "gimme putts", improve our lies, or anything else. This is not what "speeds" up play. What speeds up play is being ready to hit when it is your turn. I have one friend that shoots 95-100 every time we play, and he never holds anyone up. You can be the worst player on the course and still play quickly. It has nothing to do with uptight, it has to due with common sense. For instance, if you can only hit your driver 200 yards, don't wait until the green clears to hit your approach shot on a par 5 from 300 yards out. It is stuff like this that leads to slow play. You can get your yardage, pick a club, make your practice swings, and align your shot while the guys on the green ahead of you are putting. Once they get in their carts, hit your shot. Don't sit in the cart, and talk and joke around and then when they leave the green, you start getting out, putting your drink up, wiping your hands off, picking a club, practice swing, align your shot, step up to the ball, decide the club is wrong, go back to the bag, and start over.....that is what makes for slow play. It's okay if you hit your ball in the hazard. If it takes you more than 5 minutes to look for it, let the group behind you play through. That is what stops slow play....Okay, enough examples.

And I am not talking about you in particular, but just things I have experienced. As you can see, it has nothing to do with being uptight, it has to do with incompetence.

[timtim]

I agree with the above and add that again we are saying that speed of play is not based on score.

One more thing, how many of you guys could afford to play golf if the only people who were allowed to play were people who were as good or better than you? If you are breaking 90 that 50 dollar greens fee just became 500 dollars if you don't let those other 9 players pay for you to be able to pay your 50 dollars.

[jamo]

i actually like playing with the 30 handicapers out there, granted they repair divots etc... It loosenes me up to play my own game and i have more fun so i dont stress over bad shots. It annoys me more to play with a guy who yells at himself over making a green but being 30 ft away from the flag.

[golfmentalist]

well id have to say that golfers spend most of their lives golfing as in 3 to 4 times a week while people who golf will get there maybe once to twice a month

[psuh]

Everybody has to start out somewhere right?

[rckwd]

  psuh said:

Everybody has to start out somewhere right?

THAT is right.....and without the "snidy" remarks from some people on this board!! You should go out and play the game and not worry about those "Golfers...apposed...to "The People Who Play Golf". The people "That play, as you and I, are the back bone to this sport...not the upright, people that feel they should be the only ones on the course!!!

Even though all my x's live in TX's....I am serious...3 of them...LOL

[dansensel]

  Lefty22 said:

He's not - he's just saying he always plays GOLF - not making up his own game

First I guess I make up my own game. Therefore, I am not a golfer or a person who plays golf. I am just a person who plays a game accepted by millions of people as golf.

If a player does not finish a hole or is conceded a stroke, record the most likely score for handicap purposes. A most likely score is the number of strokes already taken, plus in the player's best judgment, the number of strokes needed to complete the hole from that point more than half the time.The most likely score should have an "X" preceding the number. For example, player A is just off the green in two strokes, and player A’s partner just holed out for a two; therefore, player A decides to pick up. Player A determines the most likely score would have been to chip on and two putt; therefore, player A will record an X-5 on the scorecard (two strokes already taken plus three more strokes to complete the hole). Player A does not automatically put down the Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)™ maximum. First, player A determines the most likely score and then after the round checks to see if the most likely score is above the ESC limit. In this case, player A has a Course Handicap™ of 24 and an ESC maximum of eight. Recording X-5 is not above ESC limit and therefore, X-5 is the score that must be posting for handicap purposes. Please visit Section 4-1 of the USGA Handicap Manual manual for further reference.

[TN94z]

  rckwd said:

THAT is right.....and without the "snidy" remarks from some people on this board!! You should go out and play the game and not worry about those "Golfers...apposed...to "The People Who Play Golf". The people "That play, as you and I, are the back bone to this sport...not the upright, people that feel they should be the only ones on the course!!!

Of course everyone has to start somewhere and I am sure that 99% of us started as "People who play golf." There are people, usually at country clubs, that are uptight and think they are supposed to be the only ones on the course. But then there are people like me, who could care less if you are shooting 85 or 125. I think its great that so many people play. But there is no excuse, and this is not being "snidy", for holding people up on the course when you have every opportunity not to. It is the "people that play golf" that have the mindset of "I payed my money, those guys can just wait until I'm done" that get golfers frustrated. When I was a high handicapper, I used to play with two guys...one was a 2 and one was scratch. I would be shooting easily in the 90s and 100s and we would have the best time ever...why? Because even though I would be spraying my shots all over, I would still play at a good pace. That is really all that matters. Play at a good pace and if someone catches you (which they will no matter how fast you are) let them play through. It's not a pride thing....they just play faster. And to call people on this board "snidy" just because they have this kind of opinion is just uncalled for.

[rckwd]

  TN94z said:

Of course everyone has to start somewhere and I am sure that 99% of us started as "People who play golf." There are people, usually at country clubs, that are uptight and think they are supposed to be the only ones on the course. But then there are people like me, who could care less if you are shooting 85 or 125. I think its great that so many people play. But there is no excuse, and this is not being "snidy", for holding people up on the course when you have every opportunity not to. It is the "people that play golf" that have the mindset of "I payed my money, those guys can just wait until I'm done" that get golfers frustrated. When I was a high handicapper, I used to play with two guys...one was a 2 and one was scratch. I would be shooting easily in the 90s and 100s and we would have the best time ever...why? Because even though I would be spraying my shots all over, I would still play at a good pace. That is really all that matters. Play at a good pace and if someone catches you (which they will no matter how fast you are) let them play through. It's not a pride thing....they just play faster. And to call people on this board "snidy" just because they have this kind of opinion is just uncalled for.

I used that word because it was the nicest thing I could say online......They ARE "snidy" people on this board dont you agree? To think you are a different kind of a "Golf" person is "snidy" and I, IMO, dont think it was uncalled for at all. IMO...if you pick up a golf club and show up at a course, you have just as much of a right to play as "mr. club pro".

I agree that people that play one way and keep the score another, or brags about better play gets on my nerves...but that is not what I am talking about. The reference of being "snidy" was to some peoples "I am better than you because I play by the book" attitude.

[TN94z]

  rckwd said:

I used that word because it was the nicest thing I could say online......They ARE "snidy" people on this board dont you agree? To think you are a different kind of a "Golf" person is "snidy" and I, IMO, dont think it was uncalled for at all. IMO...if you pick up a golf club and show up at a course, you have just as much of a right to play as "mr. club pro".

I don't want to comment on there being "snidy" people here as I don't like to burn bridges. I agree that anyone is allowed to play. My only problem and like I said, I don't think this is snidy, is when "anyone" comes to the course and holds up play for other people when they can clearly play more quickly or let people play through. I also agree with the "I am better than you because I play by the book" statement. I am sure there are many guys out there that can quote the rules book front to back but are not that great of golfers or people. Anyone can memorize a book.

[rckwd]

  TN94z said:

I don't want to comment on there being "snidy" people here as I don't like to burn bridges. I agree that anyone is allowed to play. My only problem and like I said, I don't think this is snidy, is when "anyone" comes to the course and holds up play for other people when they can clearly play more quickly or let people play through. I also agree with the "I am better than you because I play by the book" statement. I am sure there are many guys out there that can quote the rules book front to back but are not that great of golfers or people. Anyone can memorize a book.

Boy....a lot of people jumped on his one...LOL...did I strike a nerve with the "snidy" remark..LOL

Why and Where has it been brought up about holding up play...the backbone of this thread was about scoring and people that say they can play and cant hold up a piss can to their actions!!

[Greg]

I think some people take the game so seriously that they dont have fun. But I at least try to keep a good pace to keep the game going, I think sometimes it helps to forget about a previous bad shot if you dont take the time to think about it. I just hit bad shots sometimes, golf is not a game of inches but a game of fraction of inches, just a little off is the difference in a good shot and a terrible one, missing the sweet spot, getting under the ball or topping it doesnt take much. Most of the time im trying to see where the ball is going to go before I hit it, i.e. I dont keep my head down, especially if Im playing alone as there is nobody else to watch the ball for me.