(Poll) Playing a match when you play golf..

[$2 Nassau]

Poll is self-explanatory. Curious what everyone does when they play a normal round of golf (i.e. when you are not playing tourney, scramble, outing, etc).

Do you play a match? Do you gamble? Just play for fun?

[Mrd19abhs]

With my regular playing partner we normally just play for fun even tho it would prob be good bet if we did cause we normally shoot an extremly close score every match. but with some of my buddys that are better then me i normally will place some sort of bet it makes me play better.

[BonoVox]

Yeah depends on crowd. My normal playing partner and I usually play for an amount that equals a round of beer at the 19th. Winner buys but has bragging rights. I have another buddy that it gets out of control. We have had a couple hundred on the line at times as he keeps pressing. Other times no game.

[wrx_junki]

I like to play a match and gamble but most of the time my playing partners are asking for too many strokes. They are 25-30 handicaps and want more at least 18 strokes per round. I've given them the option of playing shorter tees but not giving so many strokes which ended up not happening so I haven't been gambling with my regular playing partners as of late.

[Zeph]

Never played for money, most of the time it's me vs my swing.

[B-Con]

My only goal is to score low. I shy away from personal competition, usually. I've only bet once and it was a hole-by-hole bet of peanut M&Ms; with my brother-in-law.

[Fourputt]

I love playing for a small wager, even if it's just who buys the drinks. Not everyone I play with does this though, so I just go for the head to head competitions if there's no wagering. I've been playing too long for it to be remotely interesting to compete with myself. It is quite unlikely that I'll ever beat my personal best, as that happened more than 21 years ago and hasn't even been matched since. What is my real goal if not to to defeat my playing companions?

There are other things you can do by yourself, but they also aren't that satisfying either (much better in mixed company).

[Mattplusness]

Depending on who I play with I do something like 1$ skins a hole and 1$ for closest to the pin on all par 3s. nothing ever more than 25 though

[Lefty-Golfer]

Typical match

$5 nassua with automatics, throw balls for partners, full HC
$1 skins carry over or $1 junk (sandies, greenies, birdies)
$5 nassua heads up match with friend of mine, played inside team match

We do this every friday...i don't know if we have ever played without it.

[$2 Nassau]

As my name implies I like to play a small money Nassau. Although the Sunday morning group I've been playing with occasionally over the past 2 years does not do any type of match. They refuse to even play a match for fun. And one guy seems to get angry when the topic is even discussed.

Invited my bro in law last Sunday since we had a spot open and we always play a Nassau. The other guys refused to play. It was really fun, and even though I wasn't striking it the best, I still put together a decent score as I was really grinding. I like to play something because the competitiveness makes me play better overall I think, keeps me "in the match"...

[Fourputt]

Invited my bro in law last Sunday since we had a spot open and we always play a Nassau. The other guys refused to play. It was really fun, and even though I wasn't striking it the best, I still put together a decent score as I was really grinding.

I agree. Playing with something on the line does 2 things... it helps you bear down and play your best, and it trains you in playing under pressure. If you are the type of person who folds under pressure, then you are probably right in not playing the game seriously, but for most dedicated players, having something on the line is the best way to find your "A" game. Your game is incomplete if you've never tested it under pressure. It just adds spice to the mix.

[$2 Nassau]

I agree. Playing with something on the line does 2 things... it helps you bear down and play your best, and it trains you in playing under pressure. If you are the type of person who folds under pressure, then you are probably right in not playing the game seriously, but for most dedicated players, having something on the line is the best way to find your "A" game. Your game is incomplete if you've never tested it under pressure. It just adds spice to the mix.

Yeah not to mention it was kind of a slow round so this kept me focused, which wasn't easy. I think everyone should try it at least once, doesn't have to be for money, but at least go out and play a competitve match where you try to win something, anything.

[James_Black]

I do matchplay with friends.
No money though, just for bragging rights.