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Is unsolicited advice to a golfer helpful?


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  1. 1. Is unsolicited advice to a golfer helpful?

    • yes
      2
    • no
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Where's the poll?

My answer is that it really depends on the situation and circumstances. Generally speaking I would say no but there can be exceptions.

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Such as, the difference between "advise" and "advice".....? ;-)

In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
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It's a pretty generic question, (and I'd like to think I played a part in your decision to post it :-P ) that doesn't really have a generic answer.

I can think of a few scenarios (like the one I gave you yesterday) where it would definitely be helpful, and I could think of scenarios where it would definitely NOT be helpful, and could even likely be detrimental.

In general, I mostly agree with you that it's a bad idea to be doling out unsolicited advice during a round (regardless of your ability as a golfer in relation to your target) but would make exceptions for friends and relatives, whose games I know very well, in casual rounds.  If I see them doing something goofy, I may ask about it, and if they seem unaware that they are doing it (like aligning way off ;)) then I'll try and help them correct it.

Outside of that, though, I mostly just keep any thoughts to myself unless I am "solicited." :)

-------------------

Since I believe that the situations where its not helpful outweigh the situations where it is ... I voted no. ;)  But the real correct answer is:

Quote:

it really depends on the situation and circumstances. Generally speaking I would say no but there can be exceptions.

:beer:

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Where's the poll?

I added one.

My answer is that it really depends on the situation and circumstances. Generally speaking I would say no but there can be exceptions.

Yeah.

Advice coming from me? Probably helpful.

Advice coming from some guy who can't break 90 regularly? Hmmmm.

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A really smart guy told me one time "Even the dumbest guy you have probably knows something you don't know" and I've found that to be true. Heeding that worked very well as a supervisor when problems outside of any playbook arose.

I draw the line when it comes to golf and voted no. It's not that the advice may or may not be bad. It's just that I don't want to hear it during a round. After the round I'll listen to anybody...May even experiment with it...Before I eventually ignore it.

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Not only not helpful, but generally not welcome either......

In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
Irons: Titleist 695cb 5-Pw

Wedges: Scratch 51-11 TNC grind, Vokey SM-5's;  56-14 F grind and 60-11 K grind
Putter: Scotty Cameron Kombi S
Ball: ProV1

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I voted no. Unsolicited advice usually does come from a person who can't break 90. The reason is because most advice is given by those just starting to learn to play. When you're new you tend to ask questions and possibly solicit advice to confirm what you think you know.

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... Advice coming from me? Probably helpful.

Advice coming from some guy who can't break 90 regularly? Hmmmm.

It depends on who the golfer is, and the situation.

If someone keeps hitting his drives into the right rough, and complains about it, and he incorrectly lines up pointing to the right, I would suggest he check his alignment.

If a new player on my course takes out his driver on the first hole, I would tell him that the fairway falls off into a deep valley about 220 yards from the tee.

If I play with my brother, and he starts missing shots on the back nine, I'll tell him he's overswinging.

Agreed, I may not break 90 very often, but I was a pretty good caddie once upon a time. Also, I've taken enough lessons to know modern ways of identifying swing flaws.

If it's a static item (pointing the wrong way), I may mention it during a round. If it's a motion thing, I would wait until after the round, if I mentioned it at all. I can possibly identify the problem area, but the golfer needs to see a pro to get it straightened out.

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Not during a round, no.  It's annoying and can mess up my round even more.

From an expert (instructor from local club, e.g) at range practice session, sure, why not?  From fellow golfer with unknown handicap, no.   From total stranger who smells of beer, !# @$!@ no.    Like my signature says, get out of my way.

RiCK

(Play it again, Sam)

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Quote:

Originally Posted by iacas

... Advice coming from me? Probably helpful.

Advice coming from some guy who can't break 90 regularly? Hmmmm.

It depends on who the golfer is, and the situation.

If someone keeps hitting his drives into the right rough, and complains about it, and he incorrectly lines up pointing to the right, I would suggest he check his alignment.

If a new player on my course takes out his driver on the first hole, I would tell him that the fairway falls off into a deep valley about 220 yards from the tee.

If I play with my brother, and he starts missing shots on the back nine, I'll tell him he's overswinging.

Agreed, I may not break 90 very often, but I was a pretty good caddie once upon a time. Also, I've taken enough lessons to know modern ways of identifying swing flaws.

If it's a static item (pointing the wrong way), I may mention it during a round. If it's a motion thing, I would wait until after the round, if I mentioned it at all. I can possibly identify the problem area, but the golfer needs to see a pro to get it straightened out.

I bite my lips, tongue from volunteering anything that can be interpreted as advice.   The only thing I will volunteer is course knowledge - bunker is 240 yards from tee, etc.

Even in this forum, I go out of my way to avoid writing anything that may be interpreted as advice.   Rather, I stick to my experience, what/how I did, etc..

RiCK

(Play it again, Sam)

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[QUOTE name="WUTiger" url="/t/71592/is-unsolicited-advice-to-a-golfer-helpful#post_931152"]   [QUOTE name="iacas" url="/t/71592/is-unsolicited-advice-to-a-golfer-helpful#post_931123"]   ... Advice coming from me? Probably helpful. Advice coming from some guy who can't break 90 regularly? Hmmmm. [/QUOTE] It depends on who the golfer is, and the situation. If someone keeps hitting his drives into the right rough, and complains about it, and he incorrectly lines up pointing to the right, I would suggest he check his alignment. If a new player on my course takes out his driver on the first hole, I would tell him that the fairway falls off into a deep valley about 220 yards from the tee. If I play with my brother, and he starts missing shots on the back nine, I'll tell him he's overswinging. Agreed, I may not break 90 very often, but I was a pretty good caddie once upon a time. Also, I've taken enough lessons to know modern ways of identifying swing flaws. If it's a static item (pointing the wrong way), I may mention it during a round. If it's a motion thing, I would wait until after the round, if I mentioned it at all. I can possibly identify the problem area, but the golfer needs to see a pro to get it straightened out. [/QUOTE] I bite my lips, tongue from volunteering anything that can be interpreted as advice.   The only thing I will volunteer is course knowledge - bunker is 240 yards from tee, etc.   Even in this forum, I go out of my way to avoid writing anything that may be interpreted as advice.   Rather, I stick to my experience, what/how I did, etc..

I thought we're on a forum to discuss issues, and solicit advice? Although, we talk about way more things than golf here. :-) I'm amazed how much information you can get here!

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TM Rac 60 TT WS, MD2 56
Ping i20 irons U-4, CFS300
Callaway XR16 9 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S
Callaway XR16 3W 15 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S, X2Hot Pro 20 degrees S

"I'm hitting the woods just great, but I'm having a terrible time getting out of them." ~Harry Toscano

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Never give advice, one I am not good enough and two most don't want it.

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Quote:
I bite my lips, tongue from volunteering anything that can be interpreted as advice.   The only thing I will volunteer is course knowledge - bunker is 240 yards from tee, etc.

Even in this forum, I go out of my way to avoid writing anything that may be interpreted as advice.   Rather, I stick to my experience, what/how I did, etc..

I thought we're on a forum to discuss issues, and solicit advice?

Although, we talk about way more things than golf here.

I'm amazed how much information you can get here!

Solicit advice?  Yes, I will.  Give unsolicited advice?  No.   Give advice when asked?  I may (disguised as my opinion).   I just don't think I know enough, and this forum is full of golfers who have been at it for a lot longer than I did.   Of course, I give my opinions all the time, free of charge :-D .

RiCK

(Play it again, Sam)

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Since this is the golf talk forum, what kind of advice? Etiquette? Rules? Swing? If this post was in the instruction forum, I would assume swing advice, but it seems everyone is assuming swing advice.

Sometimes the very act of giving unsolicited swing advice, even if it is useful, can be interpreted as a condescending rather than helpful gesture.

I don't give unsolicited swing advice and if prompted, my stock answer is I've worked with some very good instructors I can give you their e-mails but in my mind, I'm trying to figure out what I would fix first if it were me. I can't help that, always a tinkerer.

Steve

Kill slow play. Allow walking. Reduce ineffective golf instruction. Use environmentally friendly course maintenance.

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If a new player on my course takes out his driver on the first hole, I would tell him that the fairway falls off into a deep valley about 220 yards from the tee.

This is a good example where it's warranted.  There are two specific instances on courses I frequent where I will give unsolicited "advice" to most of my playing partners, strangers or not.  One is a hole that has a water hazard in the fairway that is not at all visible from the tee.  It's on the 6th hole, so I've usually learned by this point whether or not they have played this course before, and if they haven't (and I know they can hit their driver far enough) then I will warn them about the pond.  I'd feel like a complete jerk if I didn't.

Another course I play a lot has a completely blind tee shot ... all carry over a hazard full of bushes, weeds and trees such that the only thing you can see on the other side of the hazard is a tall aiming stick.  I will make sure people see the stick (if I know they've never played there before) and warn them that if they start drifting too far to the right of that stick then they better hit it a mile because the fairway starts moving away in a hurry.

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This is a good example where it's warranted.  There are two specific instances on courses I frequent where I will give unsolicited "advice" to most of my playing partners, strangers or not.  One is a hole that has a water hazard in the fairway that is not at all visible from the tee.  It's on the 6th hole, so I've usually learned by this point whether or not they have played this course before, and if they haven't (and I know they can hit their driver far enough) then I will warn them about the pond.  I'd feel like a complete jerk if I didn't.

Another course I play a lot has a completely blind tee shot ... all carry over a hazard full of bushes, weeds and trees such that the only thing you can see on the other side of the hazard is a tall aiming stick.  I will make sure people see the stick (if I know they've never played there before) and warn them that if they start drifting too far to the right of that stick then they better hit it a mile because the fairway starts moving away in a hurry.

I apologize I should have been more specific. Golfingdad makes a good point that I did not consider.  The unsolicited advise I was alluding  about was what you as a golfer are doing wrong meaning basically swing mechanic flaws. I always try to educate golfers who are new to a course as to how the course plays.

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