I have a problem...

[zebrasinamerica]

I'm sure many of you out there have the exact same problem as I do and I want to ask those of you that have had it and gotten past it how to do so. My problem is that when I play a round with a person I tend to play to their level, if they're bad I play bad, if they're good I play good, etc... However the last few times I've gone out and played alone I have shot extremely well (+1 on both outings). So if someone could tell me how to block the other players round out of my mind and get me to play my own game I would be forever grateful.

ZEBRA

[ragontona]

However the last few times I've gone out and played alone I have shot extremely well (+1 on both outings).

That's pretty good for a 9.8 handicap. Actually, it pretty much shouldn't happen.

To answer your question, the only way for you to block out other players in your group is... to block out the other players in your group. Crappy answer, I know, but that's all mental, and that's all you. You just need to concentrate on what you're doing, how you're swinging, what your ball's doing. Stay within yourself, stick to your preshot routine, and do your best to tune them out.

[zebrasinamerica]

what do you mean when you say it pretty much shouldn't happen?

[gas_can]

what do you mean when you say it pretty much shouldn't happen?

zerbrasinamerica,

Your handicap is your golfing "potential." The USGA has done extensive research and has found that golfers shoot their handicap once every eight rounds. In your case that would be an 82 on a par 72 course. Shooting one over for eighteen holes is an incredible feat as a 9.8 handicap, and by the USGA's "numbers" shouldn't happen. Get those rounds in the computer and get that 9.8 down. You're way better than that, congratulations and good work!

[iacas]

what do you mean when you say it pretty much shouldn't happen?

Gas has already answered it, but let's say you're a 9.8 and your course is average difficulty and has a course rating about the same as par.

The odds of you bettering your handicap by 9 (+1 versus 9.8 == 10) are 27877:1. See this link for more. Yes, it's "tournament" rounds, but the same probabilities roughly apply. And to answer your original question, well, it already was: just block them out. Watch their shots to help them find their ball but think about your own game, not theirs.

[Xt1ncT]

That's pretty good for a 9.8 handicap. Actually, it pretty much shouldn't happen.

That's pretty harsh.

Anyone who's managed to get into single figures has the potential to shoot low scores. That they don't isn't so much to do with their potential as to do with other things like course management, and decision making on the day.

[iacas]

That's pretty harsh.

That's simply not true. First, "9.8" is barely single digits. Second, again, a USGA handicap measures your potential. It's your best 10 of your last 20 scores with some adjustments after that.

Again, a 9-shot difference is about 28,000 to one odds. Look at the tables. Your handicap (non-USGA) system may be different, of course. Here, beating your handicap by 9 is unheard of except by sandbaggers. Put it this way: I've hovered between 3 and 5 for the past two years. I've shot one under par once, even par once, and one over par once. I've logged nearly 150 rounds. My typical score is about a 77 (actually 76.93, which is a 4.8 index at my course).

[ragontona]

zerbrasinamerica,

Gas has already answered it, but let's say you're a 9.8 and your course is average difficulty and has a course rating about the same as the slope rating.

This is what I mean by "pretty much shouldn't happen."

I'm an 8.7 now, my career low is a four-over 76. I average in the 83-86 range normally. My low round this season is a 78. If I shot a +1 in a tournament, the handicap commitee would lower my index on the spot. But back to the topic -- just tune it all out. It's pretty easy for me now, but I used to have the same problem. Playing within your own rhythm is sure-fire way to keep shooting low.

[zebrasinamerica]

well my index is not a very good represntation of my game, out of high school i was a 2 handicap and have not played competitively since ( I graduated in 2002) in the last 4 years i've maybe averaged 4 rounds a year and I have just started playing seriously again and things are just clicking right now when i'm out on my own but not when I'm playing with another player or in a group

ZEBRA

[Konrad]

I think that having a repeatable pre-shot routine is a must. That way you wont speed it up when you're playing well or slow it down when you're playing poorly. Keep your natural rythym.

[Finn07]

I have the same problem. I play with a guy from work and I rarely play to my potential when I am with him. We are constantly looking for his balls in the woods and to boot he never watches where his ball goes, number one pet peeve of mine on the course besides cell phone use. Anyhow I try to block him out and just play my game and have the same pre-shot routine and everything. Im playing with him tomorrow morning so we'll see. I played with a friend of mine with similar ability as myself today and shot a 79, we helped eachother out all day, fun day in all.

[rembrandt]

I think what you are expierancing is a fairly common problem with golfers. I play better by myself cause I think my way around the course better. When I'm with others my mind is not 100% on my next shot like it should be. I know when I play with my son, he intimidates me with his long play and I try to stay up with him and over swing. So, don't feel like the Lone Ranger on this one.