Advice for Playing with Single Digit Handicappers

[TheLauncher]

Ok, so for my club's member-guest tournament I managed to pull in a guy from a nearby town who plays at about a two handicap, and is yearly in the running for the title at the county amateur tournament at another course. With most of the other members at my course already paired up, this local ringer accepted my invitation as an opportunity to make a showing at the tournament.

The format is nine holes best-ball and nine holes scramble on both Saturday and Sunday. After the first day teams are divided in to five or six flights depending on first round score.

On Saturday my pairing in the foursome is fine (a couple of guys from the club who I know fairly well), but I am all but certain that my Sunday pairing will be in the A flight or possibly the B, at any rate putting this 20 plus 'capper in a foursome with three other single digits. I have to admit that I am a little nervous, mainly about maintaining pace of play-- making sure that I'm not hitting my fourth shot before any of them gets to their drives.

Of course as a 21 at times I play like a 30 and at times like a 10. I'm just curious if anyone has any advice for playing in such a group, and strategies for how to contribute to my team.

[shankapotamus]

Just be confident and not scared.

[uttexas]

Play the course. Play your game. Repair pitch marks in the green and divots in the fairway. Pick up tees from the tee box, the usual.

[O'cookie]

i have found that most athletes play closer to the level of their partners, Last week was a good example, I am getting ready for our club championship, I play wednesday with my wife and shoot 102, next day I play with the current club champ and another low handicapper, I am 4 over after 9 on the hard side, play the back alone and shot 45, for 85 (my lowest score ever) Friday back with my wife 101 Saturday with three 7ish handicappers, I am 3 over after 7. Unfortunately the wheels fell of with a short approach to the par 5, In the end I shot my usual 92. (those first 7 2/5 holes were the most fun I have ever had)
Although they may play the game better, they struggle with the same issues you do, Use the opportunity to learn from them and make your game better.

[CG031]

The best advice I can give you for playing with good players is to play at a normal pace - most good golfers don't mind playing with high handicaps who play at a normal pace and speed.

I'm not saying rush, but don't take 10 practice swings and stand over your ball for 20-30 seconds, the good players get turned off by that since it's a high percentage that the high handicap will produce a bad result following that huge delay.

So don't rush, but play at a good pace and they will enjoy your company.

[whetstone]

What he said. I've found that I play better, much better, when I'm with guys who have real game. There's no reason to be nervous, you're getting an opportunity to learn from better players. They won't think less of you over a duffed drive or two.

i have found that most athletes play closer to the level of their partners, Last week was a good example, I am getting ready for our club championship, I play wednesday with my wife and shoot 102, next day I play with the current club champ and another low handicapper, I am 4 over after 9 on the hard side, play the back alone and shot 45, for 85 (my lowest score ever) Friday back with my wife 101 Saturday with three 7ish handicappers, I am 3 over after 7. Unfortunately the wheels fell of with a short approach to the par 5, In the end I shot my usual 92. (those first 7 2/5 holes were the most fun I have ever had)

[Cesar]

Ok, so for my club's member-guest tournament I managed to pull in a guy from a nearby town who plays at about a two handicap, and is yearly in the running for the title at the county amateur tournament at another course. With most of the other members at my course already paired up, this local ringer accepted my invitation as an opportunity to make a showing at the tournament.

I know this is going to sound overly simplistic, but have fun. This is not the kind of format the 2 handicapper is going to take too seriously and you're not going to be looked down on if you mess up (unless he's a pr!ck, or you're using some seriously bad etiquette).

Just relax, enjoy yourself, and let her rip. The rest of your game will fall right into place. And if it doesn't, who cares? Still beats the hell out of working.

[wrx_junki]

Lately, I've been playing golf weekly with a scratch golfer and two single digit handicappers. All three kids are around 17-18 and play competitive golf for their highschool and college. I team up with one of the single digit handicappers to play best ball on the front 9 and scramble on the back 9, pretty much what you are playing. We usually shoot even or 1 under for best ball since I don't birdie too many holes and he birdies one or two. During the scramble, this is where I am fairly useful. Today, we shot 5 under on the back 9 with using about 60% of my shots.

For best ball, try to play safe and go for the par's and let them take care of the birdies. When it's scramble, do your part by hitting first and playing a safe shot so they can go at the pin.

If you don't let the jitters get to you and don't get too conscientious of how you'll appear in front of the better players, you will play much better. Played about the worst golf on Monday with three hacks and played my best golf on Wednesday with the better players.

[Ben]

I have to admit that I am a little nervous, mainly about maintaining pace of play-- making sure that I'm not hitting my fourth shot before any of them gets to their drives.

Maintaining pace has little to do with how many shots it takes for you to reach another player's ball. I've played with my share of high handicappers. I don't care if it takes them ten shots on a hole, as long as they are at their ball and ready to go when its their turn.

Of course as a 21 at times I play like a 30 and at times like a 10. I'm just curious if anyone has any advice for playing in such a group, and strategies for how to contribute to my team.

Advice, play smart. If you pop on a hole, try your hardest to net par. Gross pars would be great, but at least play for net par. Give your low guy a chance at a to get aggressive and go for birdies.

[bsettle]

I promise you, if you play your game and not make excuses they will respect you. If they give you a hard time they are pricks and should not be allowed to play a gentlemens game anyway.

Remember nobody will care how bad you are playing as much as you. If you have good golf etiquette and dont let your game raise your temper, you will have a fun day and get to see some really good golf. Take it this way.....you could learn ALOT!

[patriot07]

Don't worry about your score, have fun and keep the pace of play up, and it will be fine.

Also, make the safer play when you're in a scramble. If you have one safe option and one risky one, take the safe one 100% of the time, and let your ringer go for the risky one after you've got a safe shot in play. He may be able to carry that creek at 215 80% of the time, but it's tough to convince himself to hit that shot, when he knows making a bogey really hurts the chances of winning, and he has no safety valve if he goes in. Play it safe, and play fast, and you'll have alot of fun.

[pshizz]

Just focus on making solid contact with all of your clubs and you should be fine. Relax, your worrying about golf...many other people have much worse things to worry about.

[alf174]

Just focus on making solid contact with all of your clubs and you should be fine. Relax, your worrying about golf...many other people have much worse things to worry about.

I agree, and play to your handicap. Hero shots to try to go low can backfire and get you into trouble.

[Kingfisher]

You have nothing to fear - single cappers are still human and you will see them hit their share of bad shots. I find that when I play with better players it normally raises my game, so it should be a good experience for you.

If you are misfortunate enough to get paired with anal guys who think think you should worship the ground they walk on and pass snide remarks about your game, you can just remind them that they were not born single capper and that they were once hackers too.