Playing golf with a woman

[The Recreational Golfer]

In a new video, Stina Steinberg gives us guys a condescening lecture about five things not to do when we play golf with a woman.

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-diges...deo-five-rules

Here are my five going the other way.

1. Don’t step in the line of my putt. And when your female partner you came to the course with reminds you not to do that, don’t keep doing it.

2. If you’re going to call a rules violation on me, you’d better know what the rule is. I carry a rule book in my bag, and I’ll ask you to show me, right there and now, and I won’t care if you’re embarassed when what you said isn’t in the book or you’re wrong. Same thing goes for procedures. Even around the green, the person farthest from the hole plays first, regardless of whose ball is on or off the green.

3. If we’re playing for money, and you’re hitting short irons or wedges into the green on all the par fours while playing from the red tees, I will ask you to move back. The red tees are to equalize play, not to provide an advantage.

4. When you have holed out, get off the green! We’re in the fairway waiting to hit. Save your chatting and score-keeping for the next tee. Leave your pull cart on the side of the hole closest to the next tee you don’t have to go all the way across the green to get it and go all the way back across.

5. If you really can’t hit the ball, and there are now two clear holes ahead of us because we’re waiting for you, take four swings and pick up. I said this one time about fifteen minutes before the marshall drove up and said the same thing.

An BTW, Stina, expressions of anger don’t cut it with us guys, either, what’s with the cart, anyway, get out and walk, if you gamble with me, I will gladly take your money, and I am NOT guilty of giving a woman unsolicited advice on the course, I don’t do that with anybody.

[ghalfaire]

If a man is alone in the woods, is he still wrong just because there isn't a woman present to tell him?

[Da Caddy]

  The Recreational Golfer said:

Same thing goes for procedures. Even around the green, the person farthest from the hole plays first, regardless of whose ball is on or off the green.

I have to disagree with this part. This is part of the reason why rounds take so long to play. If you are not in a tournament, play 'ready golf'. If you are ready to hit and your ball is closer to the green, hit. It's that simple. If you are playing a tournament, then by all means, follow procedure.

[Lefty-Golfer]

the few women i have played with have honestly been pretty solid. that being said i go pretty far out of my way to make sure i am NEVER behind a female foursome...she didn't address cleavage in this email....the best thing about golf, mens day when women aren't allowed to play!!!

[The Recreational Golfer]

  Da Caddy said:

I have to disagree with this part. This is part of the reason why rounds take so long to play. If you are not in a tournament, play 'ready golf'. If you are ready to hit and your ball is closer to the green, hit. It's that simple. If you are playing a tournament, then by all means, follow procedure.

I'm referring to being ready to hit my 60-foot putt, but being informed, as she finally gets to her ball, that it's not my turn because she isn't on the green yet (although much closer to the hole).

[case31]

There is only one important factor to consider when playing with a woman: Is she hot?
Why is this important? Because if she is, you will be infinitely more likely to follow those so called rules.
1) Don't drive past her tee box -- If she's hot and has game, you'll be so excited about watching her swing, that you would NEVER do anything to miss it.
2) No unsolicited shot advice -- Look at it this way: if she's hot and not great, the more time it takes to finish the round means more time you get to spend in her presence.
3) Don't act like her game doesn't matter -- If she's hot, you should be more concerned that your game matters to her.
4) Don't overreact to a bad shot -- Again, if you're playing with a hot female partner, does your score really matter???
5) If she owes you money, don't refuse it -- If/when this happens, take your winnings and offer to buy her a drink...classy move.

[sean_miller]

Maybe I'm a bad playing partner in general. If someone takes 3 shots to get out of a greenside bunker, then skulls the ball right past me toward another greenside bunker, I may "accidentally" step in front of their ball regardless of gender.

I try not to offer advice other than course layout or yardage and the only women I play with are my own wife (who never listens to me anyway), and the wife of a playing partner (who's golf game and general well being are neither my responsibilty nor my concern).

[case31]

The video and the commentator seem intent on delivering the message "You --> rude, inconsiderate male; Us --> delicate, sensitive female". All of those rules are common sense and have little to do with gender.

[Da Caddy]

  The Recreational Golfer said:

I'm referring to being ready to hit my 60-foot putt, but being informed, as she finally gets to her ball, that it's not my turn because she isn't on the green yet (although much closer to the hole).

Sorry if I misrepresented my statement. I agree with you. If the woman is closer, but taking forever to figure out how she is going to play the shot, or just to play the shot, period, I'm going to play my ball (as you mentioned, roll that 60-foot putt).

[Yukari]

  The Recreational Golfer said:

I'm referring to being ready to hit my 60-foot putt, but being informed, as she finally gets to her ball, that it's not my turn because she isn't on the green yet (although much closer to the hole).

I had that happen many times even with my buddies. I have to tell them everytime that it is not who is NOT on the green that goes first, but it is one who is furthest from the hole regardless of whether the ball is or isn't on the green.

[sean_miller]

  Yukari said:

I had that happen many times even with my buddies. I have to tell them everytime that it is not who is NOT on the green that goes first, but it is one who is furthest from the hole regardless of whether the ball is or isn't on the green.

I used to care about stuff like that. It's sometimes easier to just let everyone get on the dance floor then just pull the flag one time. To be honest, it's actually kind of annoying if you're the one closest to the hole and get stuck being the long putter and short chipper's caddie while they get their sh** together - we have birdie or par putts too ya know?!?

[Colding]

Geez that video was tasteless and retarded... She could have said "dont be an idiot" and spared me two minutes.

[Colding]

I guess this have been posted before but maybe someone has not seen it. Here are some much more important Golf Rules that Stine should know about!

THE RULES OF GOLF:

1. Each player shall furnish his own equipment for play -- normally one club and two balls.

2. Play on a course must be approved by the owner of the hole.

3. Unlike outdoor golf, the object is to get the club in the hole and keep the balls out of the hole.

4. For most effective play, the club should have a firm shaft. Course owners are permitted to check shaft stiffness before play begins.

5. Course owners reserve the right to restrict the length of the club to avoid damage to the hole.

6. The object of the game is to take as many strokes as necessary until the course owner is satisfied that the play is complete. Failure to do so may result in being denied permission to play the course again.

7. It is considered bad form to begin playing the hole immediately upon arrival at the course. The experienced player will normally take time to admire the entire course, with special attention to well formed bunkers.

8. Players are cautioned not to mention other courses they have play on or are currently playing to the owner of the course being played. Upset course owners have been known to damage a player's equipment for this reason.

9. Players are encouraged to have proper rain gear along, just in case.

10. Players should assure themselves that their match has been properly scheduled, particularly when a new course is being played on for the first time. Previous players have been known to become irate if they discover someone else playing what they consider to be a private course.

11. Players should not assume a course is in shape for play at all times. Some players may be embarrassed if they find the course to be temporarily under repair. Players are advised to be extremely tactful in this situation. More advanced players will find alternate means of play when this is the case.

12. Players are advised to obtain the course owner's permission before attempting to play the back nine.

13. Slow play is encouraged; however, players should be prepared to proceed at a quicker pace, at least temporarily, at the course owner's request.

14. It is considered outstanding performance, time permitting, to play the same hole several times in one match.

15. The course owner will be the sole judge of who is the best player.

** Players are advised to think twice before considering membership at a given course.

Additional assessments may be levied by the course owner and the rules are subject to change. For this reason, many players prefer to continue to play several different courses.**

[Topper]

I listened to the video and quite honestly don't see where it's all that condescending to male golfers. I'm not a woman (at least you hope not at 6'4" and 265 lbs) and have been golfing for less than a year, but I have observed most of the behaviors to which she refers. I'm guilty of some myself. My wife lets me know how she feels about my occasional temper tantrums after topping the ball for the Xth consecutive time. Her interest is clearly lessened when I act like an a#$ which is counterproductive to my long-term "strategy" of creating more time to play which needs to involve her. If other golfers turn her off from the game with similar behaviors, then I'm going to be unhappy. Did I mention that I'm 6'4" and 265 pounds where my main hobbies are boxing and Thai boxing (golf is a more leisurely diversion and less painful).

[SouthernILGolfer]

I think everyone needs to not worry about whether your playing partner is male or female and more on how skilled they are and you are as well. I think everyone thinks they're better than they really are(I know I do). Yes I get upset over bad shots but I try to keep my negative reactions somewhat civil. Many times its the previous shot that makes the next shot seem so bad, i.e. crushing a great drive and then screwing up a wedge shot from inside 100 yards for example and missing the green. Physics doesnt lie. Every bad shot, barring extreme weather or course conditions, is caused by poor execution of the golf swing in one way or another. As far as betting against a female, that seems pretty tacky though the $5 she was about to hand him doesnt really count as a real bet. If she thinks she's better than me and can beat me and then cant do, yeah i'll take her money. I dont like betting against friends, takes some of the friendlines out of the game. As far as picking up putts, we usually do that inside of 3 feet just to speed up play, regardless of gender.

[Lefty-Golfer]

  Topper said:

I listened to the video and quite honestly don't see where it's all that condescending to male golfers. I'm not a woman (at least you hope not at 6'4" and 265 lbs) and have been golfing for less than a year, but I have observed most of the behaviors to which she refers. I'm guilty of some myself. My wife lets me know how she feels about my occasional temper tantrums after topping the ball for the Xth consecutive time. Her interest is clearly lessened when I act like an a#$ which is counterproductive to my long-term "strategy" of creating more time to play which needs to involve her. If other golfers turn her off from the game with similar behaviors, then I'm going to be unhappy. Did I mention that I'm 6'4" and 265 pounds where my main hobbies are boxing and Thai boxing (golf is a more leisurely diversion and less painful).

you just gave several great reasons to never play with women...thanks.

[Blades4me]

I guess I'm pretty shallow cuz the first thing I noticed was that Stina is getting some nice crows feet, lol.

I'm a little different b/c I'm a died in the wool batchalor I like golfing with women. It took me a couple of years to learn that unsolicted advice is a great way to ruin a round with either men or women. Enthusiasm has its costs. Now I'll give them my thought(s), but only if asked and then keep it to real basic stuff. If it continues I'll suggest they go to a teaching pro b/c I don't know--so lets just golf and try and enjoy the round.

[Danattherock]

  The Recreational Golfer said:

In a new video, Stina Steinberg gives us guys a condescening lecture about five things not to do when we play golf with a woman.

Single or divorced? Kidding... -Dan