Do you play worse when you play with worse players??

[Seven Iron]

I usually tend to, yes. I usually play to my competition. I love nothing more than getting paired with better players because I learn from them and it's awesome when you beat them!

On the other hand, I really don't care who I play with. I just love playing with people who don't get mad and know just how to have fun and joke around!

[Zeph]

Sometimes perhaps, but I more often play better when playing with players better than me.

[sean_miller]

I play okay with poor players, once it's been established that I'm not going to trudge around in the weeds looking for the tee shot on every hole. I'll make an effort the first couple times, then after that, if it's not on the way to my ball, you're on your own. And when I'm spraying it off the tee, don't worry about it, I brought several.

[Matt M]

I usually play with atleast 16 handicap or better, but a few times a year I play with some one worse. Normally it doesn't bother me as long as the player is fast and knows proper etiquette. I was once told by one of the best players I know "I like the company on the golf course but really I'm out here for me."

[groovezilla79]

I've never really thought about it. But after todays round, I would say no.
Player 1 - 98
Player 2 - 113
Player 3 -104
Me - 76

[ThomasG]

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends on the people. I play with some people regularly who shoot 110-120 and I usually shoot normal.

[wedge player]

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends on the people. I play with some people regularly who shoot 110-120 and I usually shoot normal.

depends on what kinda bad they are,if they look for a lost ball every 5 seconds

[WUTiger]

If I'm with people who regularly break 100, I'm OK.

If the people are superchops, it can be a lost day. I find myself serving as scoutmaster for them, trying to keep us ahead of the course marshall. I generally have trouble concentrating on my game, and can't get into the rhythm of playing. It's like I'm back to being a caddie rather than a player.

This often happens if I hit the course as a single, and luck of the draw is cruel to me.

[Paulbee]

My best rounds usually come when I play with people who appreciate the values and etiquette of our great game. People who are real golfers in the sense of their attitude towards the game.

People who have the right blend of eagerness and humility which is necessary to playing the game in the spirit it was meant to be played.

Playing ability of partners has little to do with my enjoyment of a round of golf. The only person I've ever caught cheating during a round was off scratch. Very accomplished player but a bit too free with the "5-toe wedge", so there was an excellent player but a very, very bad golfer.

One of my favorite golfing buddies plays of 22. He's been off 22 for as long as I can remember and I'd give good odds he stays a 22 for the rest of his golfing life. His attitude to the game is what makes him a firm favorite. His etiquette is spot on, he knows when to talk and when not to and I'd stake my life on his honesty.

Does his playing ability effect my game? Not in the slightest.

[flopdarock]

it all depends...
i love playing with all kinds of ppl regardless of hcp...
so their play doesnt affect me unless they are jackass's...
im pretty competitive even if im just competing "against" someone in my head...
but playing with lower hcp's definately elevates my game...
playing with horrible players inflates my ego ;)

[pingman]

yeah, i have that problem too. i play horrible with people who arent too great at the game but when i play with people who give me comp, i'm great. idk, just the way it is i guess.

[mdl]

This is sometimes true for me. If I start out playing well usually it's not a problem, but if I start out poorly I do often find it harder to settle down, refocus, and elevate my game when my playing partners are just hacking at it. It's not so much seepage of their bad play I think, but more that if I'm out with a few players who're playing solid and sort of setting a good vibe, providing an example to remember what GIR looks like, I can sometimes feed off of that, and obviously that example's not there if your partners and slapping it all over the place.

[kingofcars08]

Its all about being comfortable, sometimes I play my best when Im in an intense match with my scratch buddies, but I also shot 71 (bogey bogey on 17 and 18) last week with my dad and uncle, who are both 20+. There were in a cart and I just hopped on the back with my sunday bag and tore through the course, could not have had more fun. I shot 72 when I played a +1, who ended up shooting 74, so I say, its all mental.

[GolferNewb]

I normally play better with players that are not as good as I am as I relax a bit more. The strain or pressure of better players usually makes me want to keep up thus, I tense up and don't play as well.

[lumpuckeroo]

Its all about being comfortable, sometimes I play my best when Im in an intense match with my scratch buddies, but I also shot 71 (bogey bogey on 17 and 18) last week with my dad and uncle, who are both 20+. There were in a cart and I just hopped on the back with my sunday bag and tore through the course, could not have had more fun. I shot 72 when I played a +1, who ended up shooting 74, so I say, its all mental.

I would agree, it can go both ways. I have noticed as I have gotten older, who I play with has very little effect on how I play, I am just happy to be out playing.