Noise/talking/yelling/bugs in your back/down swing

[Clubswinger21]

A buddy of mine, has issues with talking while you putt or hit a tee shot. If we're talking before the shot he'll keep talking while im swinging or putting. Isnt it just common knowledge to shut up while someone is hitting any kind of shot?

Anyways, im bothered by all that kind of stuff, mosquitos biting me or buzzing in my ear while im hitting. Drunk people being inconsiderate and yelling or talking loudly right next to a tee area. People walking behind you while your hitting.

Today I hit my drive right, next to the tee area in the opposite fairway. This guys wife had to hit her shot still from the ladies tees, they told me to go ahead so I played my shot. In my back swing the guy says "Are you using your driver honey?" and I chunk my punch which didnt even make it to the fairway. Thankfully I hit a 3 qaurter 9 iron to 15 feet and made the putt for my par 4. Still, I was annoyed.

Do you have any stories like that? are you bothered by noise/distractions or does stuff like this not affect you?

[iacas]

I prefer, as I think all golfers do, a continued level of sound. I don't care if a guy is mowing the next fairway over so long as he doesn't shut down his mower in the middle of my swing.

Years ago one guy pointed out that my wrist cracked a little in my swing (it doesn't now - so don't get any ideas Jack!), and I couldn't play golf for a week because I'd hear it every darn time.

As for dealing with your friend, there are three approaches, depending on his personality:

1) Start talking loudly in the middle of his swing and if he asks, say "just wanted to see how you'd like it."

2) Talk to him after or before the round and ask him to pipe down when others are playing.

3) Stop playing with him if he's not the type to take a hint or an outright request.

[NM Golf]

I prefer, as I think all golfers do, a continued level of sound. I don't care if a guy is mowing the next fairway over so long as he doesn't shut down his mower in the middle of my swing.

Ditto here. You can pretty much make as much noise as you want as long as you don't start talking or stop talking in my backswing. Nice continuous noise.

[Ghost Runner]

I'm not bothered by noise as I'm pretty good at blocking it out. I don't enjoy those who find it funny to deliberately distract a player during his/her swing.

[CG031]

This happens A LOT. Especially since I'm 15, and all the people I play with most of the time around my age, and not too experienced with these types of things.

This one time last summer, when I was just starting out, my dad and I were playing along with one of my dad's business partners, I asked him to please move because he was like RIGHT IN my vision on my back swing, so he's like "who do you think you are? Tiger Woods?" Now, remember, yes, I'm 14 at the time, but still, I asked nicely and I just want a little respect. (not to mention this guy shoots 100-125 every round, ****ing douche)...So, I got pretty pissed off, he didn't move. I hit a bad shot, and my dad stuck up for me and started yelling at his friend. I was glad someone stuck up for me, I was about to deck him.

Another time, I was out practicing with my high school team, and we are in a fivesome because there is like 20 kids on the team, this one kid NEVER shuts up when your on the tee. He's ALWAYS doing "BORAT" impressions. He'll be like "Very Nice! Very Very Nice!" During your practice swing, then when you get over the ball, he'll go "HOW MUCH?" At first i found it comical, but he did it EVERY ****in tee shot, it was getting old. Finally I give him a bad look, and just say "SHUT THE **** UP"...lol

So, yeah, this stuff bothers me, but I'm still working on blocking it out.

[SSandlin]

I can't say that I personally have had a bad experience, however I do agree that there is a level of courtesy that should be expected from playing partners. I developed a habit of blocking out every sight and noise except my target when I pitched and played basketball years ago. It's not 100% effective, as is anything in life, but it does come in handy around abrupt noisemakers. I do make sure that the folks in my group always extend the level of courtesy to each golfer that they would expect.

As far as golfers on adjacent or different holes, I don't have an issue with their sound as long as it's not deliberately aimed at a particular golfer. Of course that goes with an understanding that by sound I mean the normal chatter of a golf round (score, club, yardages, celebrations, etc.). I for one will certainly not hold back any excitement when I or a playing partner hits a great shot or converts for an under par score, no matter if someone just happens to be within earshot.

It does provide some entertainment to see someone so focused on not hearing anything that when a mosquito buzzes by it completely throws them off. We always laugh and explain that the focus should be on the ball/shot, not what's flying around their head.

I did see a refreshing moment a week or so ago when a father had his young son and daughter walking a course and he was explaining why you should try and maintain a quiet whenever someone is about to take a swing. Among other valuable starting blocks, that was one that stuck out.

[Ogg]

I have the exact opposite issue - if someone doesn't belch in my backswing I get thrown off. OK...kidding. I don't have any issues as I am fairly focused when it comes to people talking etc. Bugs do bother me though.

But if I was bothered and I asked someone to move as one of the previous posters did, and that person did not move, trust me I would be more than miffed.

[Mikey]

I think you tell him have you ever watched golf on tv notice how quiet they are when the pros swing? Or you can go on ebay and buy one of the volunteer signs that say quiet please and drop it on the ground before you hit.

If all else fails just punch him in the snot locker.

[Shindig]

I don't need PGA-level quiet. Then again, some guys on the PGA don't need it either -- look at Anthony Kim. I've played quite a bit in Van Nuys (same hometown as Kim), and I don't know of any courses where you can get quiet for two consecutive holes -- passing by drivers honk their horns near tee boxes on purpose, and so on. So maybe since I started there, I got used to it.

I'm not bothered by noise as I'm pretty good at blocking it out. I don't enjoy those who find it funny to deliberately distract a player during his/her swing.

Exactly. Thankfully, I've stopped playing with one of my friends who couldn't resist doing this. Then I went bowling with him and he would do this then, too, but learned his lesson. I accidentally - and it was a legit accident! - let go of the ball when he yelled out, mid back-swing (or whatever it's called in bowling). Ball landed on his foot and he didn't pipe up during these things the rest of the evening.

(Thankfully, it wasn't a heavy ball; he wasn't hurt.)

I prefer, as I think all golfers do, a continued level of sound. I don't care if a guy is mowing the next fairway over so long as he doesn't shut down his mower in the middle of my swing.

This has been seconded already on this thread, but I figure I should second it again.

[Clubswinger21]

I can't say that I personally have had a bad experience, however I do agree that there is a level of courtesy that should be expected from playing partners. I developed a habit of blocking out every sight and noise except my target when I pitched and played basketball years ago. It's not 100% effective, as is anything in life, but it does come in handy around abrupt noisemakers. I do make sure that the folks in my group always extend the level of courtesy to each golfer that they would expect.

Thats why Tiger Woods will back away from a shot when a fly buzzes around his head right? and or stop his swing in mid down swing because he was distracted.

Anyways, I agree continued sound is not an issue for me. Like I said anything immediate in my down/back swing.

[Dent]

I get distracted so easily, the other day my friend starts walking on the path on my backswing and i shanked it. The slightest whisper, cell phone, or even envoirnment bugs me sooo much. I need everything perfect in order to swing. And lately i have been thinking the worst things to distract me lately.. The other day on my backswing i started thinking "Oh hey my shoes untied" or "Why am i always teeing off first?" or sometimes im thinking about ... "oh hey look at that nice blue car" I cant focus or i think of the weirdest things.

[Thrdroc]

I'm like a previous poster where if the noise is constant the entire time i'm fine. Like if people are talking while i'm swinging, i need them to keep talking, but if they stop while in my back swing it really messes me up.

Now bugs flying next to my head can get annoying but I usually do just fine. I totally mess up when a fly or a different bug lands on my ball while i'm swinging because it pulls my attention away and I make bad contact.

And people on other holes usually don't bother me. Typically people need to be within 30 feet of me for it to bother me.

[cdriver]

At my home course, a lot of the teeboxes and greens are adjacent, so it is fairly often that conversation on one or the other could disrupt play. I have been in the middle of a putt to hear, "whack, Fore"... It is hard to putt straight when you have jumped out of your shoes....LOL

[jb1982]

I used to get really distracted if it wasn't completely quiet when I tee off. But then I started playing in the Couples league at my home course. It often turns into more of a drinking contest with some golf for entertainment so silence is hard to come by. Now, I can just block it out and hit my shot. Bugs are another thing though. If I here the buzz right by my ear it almost always results in a poor shot.

[lamebums]

Not much bothers me, people-wise, but if a bug gets in my ear, it will really screw with my shot. I've ended up throwing the club before...

Also, don't say "Balls" during my backswing, or I will hit it thin and hook it.