Practice with a purpose or just go down and hit ball after ball?

[brettski01]

Its annoying when you get these people on the course that dont care. The other day when i went down to play i wanted to play by myself the course was empty so everything was sweet. I really was focusing and trying to simulate playing tournament conditions then im on the third i get a call from this dude saying hes on the first he'll run up and play with me so i say ok. I think he plays off around 30. I wasnt really that keen on playing with him just from previous experiences. He just didnt care what he did, hit multiple balls before i hit, putted out of turn and didnt really read his putts just walked up and putted then when im reading and lining up my putt he comments saying 'cmon you dont need to line your putt up its only practice'

How else are you going to improve if you just go out and smack a ball around with no real purpose or focus on what your doing?

I mean hes a nice guy id happily have a beer with him any day i just get annoyed when people play with you and they drag you down to how they want to play. Anyone else have something similar happen? And when your playing by yourself do you actually work on things or just hit balls? i know i certainly try and work on things every time i go down.

[BWChuck]

I try to focus and learn most times on the course too, but sometimes when I'm struggling extra bad I'll switch modes into "just hit it" (but not rush it either).

Just don't answer the phone next time.  Or explain that you're in "practice mode"  and he should jump ahead if he isn't okay with your pace.

[MajorSlice]

I cant stand when people do that.  Just because others dont care, doesnt mean I dont.  I practice every sunday with a purpose.  the purpose is to get better and try to fix what I have been doing wrong.  Sometimes i play so badly that i just dont care, but i usually get the grove back at some point in the round.  When he tells you it is only practice, tell him you are practicing.  Ask him how many people practice anything without a purpose.

[Jmdmbike]

I personally don't care how another person approaches the game as long as they respect what you want to do. When I play, I'm trying to hit the shot I need, which is tough enough without someone else getting in the way like that.

[Chris Stewart]

I think we all have to remember that not everyone is into golf as much as we are. I want to improve and I work at it constantly. However, there are plenty of people who just want to get outside, have a few beers, smack the ball around with buddies, and call it a Saturday afternoon. There's nothing wrong with that. It's unfortunate when that interferes with your routine, but I think in the situation you describe, having explained you wanted to simulate or take the round more seriously might have been a good idea. It's likely your friend understands how into golf you are and would have been understanding of the situation.

[slodsm]

Every time I pick up a club it's serious practice to me. I have never taken a hobby lightly and I don't start something to half a$$ it. I decided to play golf because I want to be "good" at it and one way or another, I'll pull it off.

[SamCreamer]

I absolutely HATE IT when people do that. It REALLY PISSES ME OFF when I'm reading a putt and they tell me that it's unnecessary to line up the putt and that I'm not a pro golfer. It has gotten to the point where I do not like playing with people I know when I'm in serious mode. I prefer to not be spoken to at all when I'm really focusing. When someone tries to give me pointers it really gets me going especially because usually they have awful swings and shoot 110+ (not that there's anything wrong with it, just don't give me advice after I miss the fairway). Sorry for the rant and wall of text, I just COMPLETELY understand what you're saying. Playing golf by yourself is such a beautiful thing I can't even put it into words. Did it this week, knew what I had to work on, worked on it, criticized myself, and improved.

[Jeffrey71]

I started playing regularly again back in February. Since then I've played about 20- 25 rounds(18 holes) and taken 6 strokes off my handicap. Before February I might have played 15 times in 25 years. I had forgotten how much I liked this game. My wife says I'm obsessed. My dad introduced me to this game(sport, lifestyle, addiction, obsession or whatever you want to call it) when I was 12 or 13 and I played high school golf. I was, and still am, serious about getting better.

I asked a guy I work with, who I've played golf with before, if he wanted to partner up and play in a local 2 man, 2 course, 2 day 36 hole best ball tournament. He said sure. We got together to play our practice rounds and form some sort of strategy.

Now, I have a 20.4 handicap according to GHIN. If he were to log scores in a handicap system he would probably be a 30- 40. He says to me, " I want to shoot 10 under for the tournament.." I wondered who he thought he was playing with. I would have been happy with even par for 36 holes.

Multiple times during the tournament I would hit a good shot then he wouldn't even hit a ball. HE DIDN'T EVEN TRY!!!!!! This went on for 2 days and we scored a 3 over.

I played with him this past weekend and decided in 2 weeks we are planning a golf outing to a really nice course out of town and after that I will never play with him again. His pride is keeping him from asking anyone for help.

When I go out to "play" I am putting to use what I practice.

I understand about those who don't care.

[newtogolf]

Some people like the idea of playing golf and telling people they are a golfer but don't want to put the work in.  Golf is by far the most frustrating sport I've ever tried to play, but that's what makes me want to get good at it.  Some people rise to a challenge, others shy away and just talk about getting better.  If I'm taking time away from work or my family to play golf, I'm there to improve and don't expect someone to undermine my efforts because they approach the game differently.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by brettski01

How else are you going to improve if you just go out and smack a ball around with no real purpose or focus on what your doing?

My guess is that he doesn't care about improving.  Not everybody likes to play for competition, some like the social and relaxing element.  The fact that he flagged you down to play with you probably corroborates that.

And yes, I have had similar things happen to me.  When I want to play practice rounds to transition from practice to tournament play and simulate a round, I will go off very late in the day when there is only like 1-2 hours of daylight left so I can go off by myself.  Occasionally a guy will be a hole or two ahead of me and slow down in order to play with me, and other times a guy will go off behind me and play speed golf and ask to pair up.  It sucks.  Sometimes I'll just concede and stop "practicing" and just finish out the round with them, and other times I'll let them know I'm practicing and allow them to play through or whatever the situation would call for.

One time I was at a course with 3 courses.  One 18-hole course and two 9-hole tracks.  I went off one of the 9 hole tracks, and a twosome were going off the other 9 hole tee.  They see me teeing off on the other side, and actually leave that tee box, race over to my tee box and ask to team up.  That really annoyed me, but eventually it wore off.  They were nice to play with.

[jshots]

If I'm alone, i'll take my time reading putts, thinking through the hole, hitting a few balls for practice, etc...

but if I am playing with somebody all that changes. Him telling you to quit reading your putts is a bit excessive I suppose but unless its a tournament I play ready golf, and I don't really give a shit what others are doing as long as they aren't telling me what to do. When I'm out there with someone, I play fairly quickly, make quick reads of putts, and don't over think holes. I play just to post a score at the end, I might try doing certain things if I'm struggling, but I never put too much thought into it when playing with others. I kind of find it annoying when someone plays like they are in a tournament during a casual round with other people, save that for your alone time.

That doesn't mean I don't put any thought into my game.

[Topper]

Originally Posted by Jmdmbike

I personally don't care how another person approaches the game as long as they respect what you want to do. When I play, I'm trying to hit the shot I need, which is tough enough without someone else getting in the way like that.

I guess that's me too.  I focus on what I need to do.  I prefer to play "ready golf" so the issue of honors and turn aren't as meaningful to me.  If they're ready to hit and I'm not, then I'm good with them hitting regardless of whose turn it is.  Talking doesn't bother me as long as someone doesn't make a sudden, loud noise while I'm swinging.  Otherwise, I don't even hear them.  People can certainly be rude and obnoxious but I don't think that was the point of the post.  More like an issue with people who display a lack of "intensity" about the game.

[Mr. Desmond]

I'd play with that guy more -- if you want to build mental toughness for tournament play, there's no better way to learn focus than having a non-serious type out there playing with you and screwing up.

[Dave2512]

It goes both ways. I play with guys that take what I consider too long a time between shots. Everyone has a different routine. I play pretty fast. I don't need 1.5 minutes to line up a putt, especially stuff 15' and out where I'm pretty much going to lag it. My goal is to hit fairways and greens and 2 putt unless I get it real close and have a legit birdie opportunity. If not keep I attempt to keep it close, first cut, on the fringe. Less about controlling the ball than clearing my head of distractions. What bugs me is people fidgeting around while I am swinging or putting, that includes lining up their own shots.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

I'd play with that guy more -- if you want to build mental toughness for tournament play, there's no better way to learn focus than having a non-serious type out there playing with you and screwing up.

I actually agree with you for the first time ever. * high five *

One of the best rounds I ever had was with two hackers who were shooting 100+ and joking about how bad they were each shot.  It takes a deliberate focus to laugh at a bad joke and then get ready for your shot.

[brettski01]

Originally Posted by SamCreamer

I absolutely HATE IT when people do that. It REALLY PISSES ME OFF when I'm reading a putt and they tell me that it's unnecessary to line up the putt and that I'm not a pro golfer. It has gotten to the point where I do not like playing with people I know when I'm in serious mode. I prefer to not be spoken to at all when I'm really focusing. When someone tries to give me pointers it really gets me going especially because usually they have awful swings and shoot 110+ (not that there's anything wrong with it, just don't give me advice after I miss the fairway). Sorry for the rant and wall of text, I just COMPLETELY understand what you're saying. Playing golf by yourself is such a beautiful thing I can't even put it into words. Did it this week, knew what I had to work on, worked on it, criticized myself, and improved.

I dont mind talking to people, i quite enjoy the social side and having a drink after the round. But yes i understand what your saying about giving pointers. Theres one guy that does it to me all the time and hes a higher handicapper than me. But i just keep the peace and usually just ignore it.

Originally Posted by Dave2512

It goes both ways. I play with guys that take what I consider too long a time between shots. Everyone has a different routine. I play pretty fast. I don't need 1.5 minutes to line up a putt, especially stuff 15' and out where I'm pretty much going to lag it. My goal is to hit fairways and greens and 2 putt unless I get it real close and have a legit birdie opportunity. If not keep I attempt to keep it close, first cut, on the fringe. Less about controlling the ball than clearing my head of distractions. What bugs me is people fidgeting around while I am swinging or putting, that includes lining up their own shots.

Oh dont get me wrong it was a difficult putt say 8 - 10 foot that i needed to drain to get my up and down. The longer putts i dont line up. If it were a 30 footer than ok fair enough, chances are i wouldnt make it and id be putting for the two putt anyway. As far as speed of play goes im in the quicker end compared to some people at our course.

Im all for ready golf too. I think when he told me to not worry about reading the putt just annoyed me and made everything else seem so much worse than it was. When im playing with friends on non tournament days its just ready golf but we still do proper routines and take our time.

On another note.... Is winter ever going to end in melbourne!!!??? Its sooo damn wet and muddy!