Ever played with some hacker who won't take advice?

[billysandy]

Ill gladly take advice from better golfers I know personally, but from strangers on the course, its just wasting time.

I agree. I can take advice from my friend who plays off a 4 handicap, but i just feel embaressed/odd/annoyed if a stranger i am playing with tries to give me some advice. No stranger can understand the way another approaches the game, or what they are thinking about.

[sean_miller]

The only thing i might say is, "You hit behind the ball..." Something like that, were the person might not know why he did something, like hit it fat or topped the ball. But i try to stay away from giving specific advice towards a golf swing, unless otherwise asked for. Especially if its someone i do not know.

If a random playing partner hit a fat one, you'd actually say, "you hit behind the ball . . . "?

Trust me, they already know they hit behind the ball. The only "advice" I'd give is related to the course - like when you see somebody aiming at the wrong pin on a double green.

[senorchipotle]

i only have one question: is the putter still in the lake?

[Meddle]

I personally don't mind advice from strangers, if they are better than me and I'm clearly doing something very wrong. However, people are really sensitive about it (obviously) so I don't give it unless I'm asked. Same thing with gimmies, there is no point giving anyone anything because it just makes some people angry.

[zeg]

IMO things were fine until (some combination of) he was a jerk in his response and you took offense at it and let his bad play bother you. Even well-intentioned, possibly-correct advice can be distracting and counterproductive in that situation. When I'm having bad days, and it happens a lot, there are times when I might be interested in someone's advice (perhaps even a stranger), and there are times when I more or less know what I am doing and just need the space to work out the problem. I've been lucky---the only time I've been offered assistance on the course was a day when I was in the right frame of mind to accept it, and the guy was very sensitive about the offer. He didn't really ask directly, but sort of hinted that he saw something and I asked him to help me out, and it seriously improved the rest of my round.

So really, if a guy is having a bad time, I think you've got to gauge his attitude. If he's clearly frustrated and closed, telling him you know how to fix his game is just going to piss him off. In that case, if you say anything, I'd just try to lighten things and very gently remind him that it's just a game. If he's open and talking, maybe drop a hint that you see something in his swing, but let him decide whether another piece of advice is going to help or not. Whatever his response, respect it.

As for his being a jerk in the answer, it strikes me that perhaps he was in a rotten mood and your offer made him feel worse. He should still try to be polite about it, but I think we've all snapped at someone when we're in a bad mood and regretted it later.

[treebound]

Diplomacy and tact, like golf, are acquired skills.

Perhaps a better approach would have been to offer to buy him a soda and then go sit near the practice putting area to drink the soda while watching people putt. Just a thought, no words necessary, just time to relax and reflect on the game and other issues of the day.

And it's probably good I don't live near Indiana, otherwise I might be picking up some rope and a magnet and doing some after hours putter fishing. If anyone asked what I was up too I'd just suggest that maybe my cousin lost his temper and threw my uncle's old putter into the pond and my aunt wants it back if I can get it because it was a wedding gift to her husband on their wedding day. Everybody likes a good story. 8)

[mdl]

I like and abide by the no tips on the course etiquette. I've never offered advice to anyone other than my best golf buddy, but we know each other well and know each other's swings well, and we only point out things we know cause each other headaches. But I just want to defend the good samaritan impulse a little. I played with a really old guy a while back who hit driver at 170 yard par 3s, but you could tell had been a good golfer when he was younger. After the round he came up to me and said he thought I had a good, athletic swing, and had hit some really nice shots, but would never score as well as I was capable putting the way I did. He gave me a little 15 minute lesson that started me on the road to much better (though still solidly mediocre) putting.

It sounds to me like it should have been clear from the way the guy was handling himself that this kind of gesture wouldn't be appreciated, and I think it's best to err on the side of good etiquette and wait til after the round even if you think you might be able to point out a simple thing or two that would really help. But even in the round, I've played with guys who, after we've established some rapport and it's clear we're both pretty chill, have pointed out things like just reminding me to maintain easy tempo and not over swing during the round, and I've appreciated it and it's helped for the remainder of the round.

Of course, making it a judgement call instead of just abiding hard and fast by the good rule to never offer swing (or putting) advice during the round can open up a can of worms, which is why that rule exists in the first place. But I think if done right, some types of help can be given in a helpful way.

[ApocG10]

I dont give advice, or take it, unless its from the guy I pay to do so. The last thing I want is 5 peoples advice swimming in my head.

[Pete405]

ME & my golf buddy will usually exchange advice, but even that's annoying to some degree..... The problem (to me) is that in the past,I have been paired up with total douchebags that not only suck at the game but loved to tell me "what i'm doing wrong", now i'm no pro but i can have a decent round of golf when I try hard enough, and to have some puttz that gives himself 22 mulligans a game and then tells me he shot a 80 , offer me advice is laughable...... My advice is this... Don't offer advice unless someone asks for it, PERIOD!

[Deryck Griffith]

What is so wrong with giving advice on a easy and obvious tip. it's not like he was nagging him with tips on every aspect of his swing which I agree, would be annoying.

If I was playing that poorly, I would surely appreciate a simple suggestion on something as easy to adjust as putting to help my game that day.

In my opinion, he's an a-hole for throwing his putter in the pond...none of us are that good to get THAT upset and I would never play with him again if a simple kind gesture was thrown back in my face. You don't have to accept the tip but you also don't have the right to be pissed off with the person trying to help either.

[Zeph]

I'm waiting for the follow-up thread.

"Ever played with some low handicapper that won't stop giving advice?"

I understand him, except for the club throwing part. Taking advice from someone else is not as easy as it might sound, especially if you don't know this person and have a really rough day. When playing with someone I know, I might give them a little tip, usually just one so not to confuse them. If they listen and try doing it I don't care about, I might not even be right, but that's up to them to figure out. I won't nag on about it the entire round. Making a change in the middle of a round is hard.

[ericstamper]

i wasnt saying i made every putt attempted but im a decent putter with great technique.....its advice only.....why play if you dont wanna get better???

[ericstamper]

Just to follow up on all of the response that are greatly appreciated..........imagine you meet a guy and his buddy playing at a course you've played three times. He three putts 5 of the first 6 holes. Four putts hole 7, hits a perfect wedge into a short par 3 misses a 5 footer (still 2 putts tho) 3 putts 9,10,11,12 .......two putts 13........then 3 putts to finish the round. Offered a tip on hole 11.......a-hole about it.......tosses 200+ dollar putter into pond........(bad day putting??? dont think so. My 5 year old daughter could luck in more putts than this guy made. At $43 dollars for 18 and a cart I figured it out that it woud have cost him about 16 dollars to everyone that plays in our usual sunday game....about 20 plus play so he would have shelled out about $320 to everyone combined for all of his three putts and one four putt..............grand total of $363............wouldnt u wanna tip??

[zeg]

i wasnt saying i made every putt attempted but im a decent putter with great technique.....its advice only.....why play if you dont wanna get better???

There's a time and a place. This has nothing to do with your knowlege or ability, it's up to him whether he wants to play his game as it is or solicit advice from you. If he's being a nuisance, distraction, etc, then you'd be acting reasonably to complain about that. Being offended that he doesn't want help is, in my book, misplaced. As you point out in your next post, he paid his green fee, and if he wants to go out and just play his game without unsolicited coaching, that's his business.

But again, if he's throwing clubs, cursing, and generally making you uncomfortable, that's a different issue altogether.

[RIduffer]

Just to follow up on all of the response that are greatly appreciated..........imagine you meet a guy and his buddy playing at a course you've played three times. He three putts 5 of the first 6 holes. Four putts hole 7, hits a perfect wedge into a short par 3 misses a 5 footer (still 2 putts tho) 3 putts 9,10,11,12 .......two putts 13........then 3 putts to finish the round. Offered a tip on hole 11.......a-hole about it.......tosses 200+ dollar putter into pond........(bad day putting??? dont think so. My 5 year old daughter could luck in more putts than this guy made. At $43 dollars for 18 and a cart I figured it out that it woud have cost him about 16 dollars to everyone that plays in our usual sunday game....about 20 plus play so he would have shelled out about $320 to everyone combined for all of his three putts and one four putt..............grand total of $363............wouldnt u wanna tip??

No I would absolutely not want a tip during a round like that--I would be too steamed. An hour later at the bar after I cooled down? Yes, then I would listen.

[Fat Slice]

Just to follow up on all of the response that are greatly appreciated..........imagine you meet a guy and his buddy playing at a course you've played three times. He three putts 5 of the first 6 holes. Four putts hole 7, hits a perfect wedge into a short par 3 misses a 5 footer (still 2 putts tho) 3 putts 9,10,11,12 .......two putts 13........then 3 putts to finish the round. Offered a tip on hole 11.......a-hole about it.......tosses 200+ dollar putter into pond........(bad day putting??? dont think so. My 5 year old daughter could luck in more putts than this guy made. At $43 dollars for 18 and a cart I figured it out that it woud have cost him about 16 dollars to everyone that plays in our usual sunday game....about 20 plus play so he would have shelled out about $320 to everyone combined for all of his three putts and one four putt..............grand total of $363............wouldnt u wanna tip??

If I want a tip, I will ask for it -- I am sure it's the same for Mr. Putter Thrower. I know you meant well, but you had no business offering him unsolicited advice - none whatsoever.

[alf174]

Just to follow up on all of the response that are greatly appreciated..........imagine you meet a guy and his buddy playing at a course you've played three times. He three putts 5 of the first 6 holes. Four putts hole 7, hits a perfect wedge into a short par 3 misses a 5 footer (still 2 putts tho) 3 putts 9,10,11,12 .......two putts 13........then 3 putts to finish the round. Offered a tip on hole 11.......a-hole about it.......tosses 200+ dollar putter into pond........(bad day putting??? dont think so. My 5 year old daughter could luck in more putts than this guy made. At $43 dollars for 18 and a cart I figured it out that it woud have cost him about 16 dollars to everyone that plays in our usual sunday game....about 20 plus play so he would have shelled out about $320 to everyone combined for all of his three putts and one four putt..............grand total of $363............wouldnt u wanna tip??

I don't even pay that much attention to my playing partners game when I know them. Tho your tip offer meant well, 99% of time its not wanted.

[treebound]

Okay, let me preface this post by saying I am not a Rules Nanny and am not trying to chastise the OP of this thread, so with that said....

I knew in the back of my mind that there was a USGA rule relating to giving or receiving advice from someone other than a partner during the course of play, and I think I finally found it: Rule 8-1
http://golf.about.com/cs/rulesofgolf/a/rule8.htm

I'm not sure if offering to give advice is the same as actually giving advice, but if I understand the rules correctly if I am playing a round with the intent of posting my score toward my Handicap and if I gave someone other than my partner advice then I would have to assess myself a 2-stroke penalty.

Likewise in response to someone above regarding how to deal with someone giving them advice, just throw Rule 8 at them and keep track of the number of occurances and at the end of the round let them know what their penalty accumulation is (especially if you see them heading to a terminal to post their score), but only do this if you're preparred for any reparcussions. YMMV 8-)

Okay, that's all I've got, no offense intended to anyone. Have a good day.