Gambling on the golf course is it a necessity?

[rehmwa]

Nope - I think it's idiotic, and makes it a lot less fun.  Even though, when I've had to because that's the group I'm with, I usually do better than break even.  Artificially creating a thing to focus on seems a bit silly too.  Focus comes from focus.

Others have different experiences.  That's fine for them.  Different strokes.

If it's just me and a friend and they want to gamble, I'll just buy a round of drinks instead.  If there's more than two, he can approach the others.  That's more fun for me.

 

However, the ONLY way I frown on it is when another pushes it on those that don't want to

Edited October 14, 2015 by rehmwa

[Jeremie Boop]

There are different mentalities for people who like to gamble when they play games/sports. Back when I played a lot of pool I had people actually change their mind about playing because I didn't want to bet, they'd say "If there's nothing on it then it's not worth playing", then there were people who would still play but they wouldn't care unless there was money on it, and finally there were people who would play the same whether there was something on the line or not. Some people like added pressure, some people need added pressure, and some people don't care about added pressure.

[rehmwa]

There are different mentalities for people who like to gamble when they play games/sports. Back when I played a lot of pool I had people actually change their mind about playing because I didn't want to bet, they'd say "If there's nothing on it then it's not worth playing", then there were people who would still play but they wouldn't care unless there was money on it, and finally there were people who would play the same whether there was something on the line or not. Some people like added pressure, some people need added pressure, and some people don't care about added pressure.

you know, this is closer to my thought - though I'd add another category "some people that just don't experience any added pressure from something unrelated".  yes, there are some like that.

You can have a foursome of people all having a bet and it would be GREAT to play that with 2 of the others.  I've been mostly turned off because of that 3rd person who turns into a real buzzkill once a bet is on the line.  So another reason I avoid it.

[iacas]

There are different mentalities for people who like to gamble when they play games/sports. Back when I played a lot of pool I had people actually change their mind about playing because I didn't want to bet, they'd say "If there's nothing on it then it's not worth playing", then there were people who would still play but they wouldn't care unless there was money on it, and finally there were people who would play the same whether there was something on the line or not. Some people like added pressure, some people need added pressure, and some people don't care about added pressure.

You seem to have forgotten a group: those who won't play if there's a bet in place. They are the people who don't like added pressure and seek to avoid it.

Or, maybe you've never found someone in that group, but I know of several people who are.

Also, cheap people.

[Jeremie Boop]

You seem to have forgotten a group: those who won't play if there's a bet in place. They are the people who don't like added pressure and seek to avoid it.

Or, maybe you've never found someone in that group, but I know of several people who are.

Also, cheap people.

True, I've never met anyone who would flat out refuse to play though it does make sense that there would be a group like that.

[The Bogey Guy]

I am pretty open minded and really do not care much either way. I do not participate but once in a while if it is with people I know and trust we will do a closet to the pin challenge on a par 3 hole. Looser usually just buys a beer or a snack. 

[pumaAttack]

You seem to have forgotten a group: those who won't play if there's a bet in place. They are the people who don't like added pressure and seek to avoid it.

Or, maybe you've never found someone in that group, but I know of several people who are.

Also, cheap people.

Isn't that the group that he himself falls into?  Won't play if there's a bet?

[krupa]

There are different mentalities for people who like to gamble when they play games/sports. Back when I played a lot of pool I had people actually change their mind about playing because I didn't want to bet, they'd say "If there's nothing on it then it's not worth playing", then there were people who would still play but they wouldn't care unless there was money on it, and finally there were people who would play the same whether there was something on the line or not. Some people like added pressure, some people need added pressure, and some people don't care about added pressure.

These people still exist.  I will play pool for small wagers but I don't need the bet to help my focus.  I know guys that will play for non-alcoholic drinks (so maybe $2 at the most) and play as if they bet a thousand dollars with only a hundred in their pocket.

To the OP, I don't find betting a necessity anywhere.  I think I got lucky early on and lost a lot which turned me off from gambling.  If I had won a lot when introduced to it, I'd probably be a compulsive gambler. 

[mcanadiens]

You seem to have forgotten a group: those who won't play if there's a bet in place. They are the people who don't like added pressure and seek to avoid it.

Or, maybe you've never found someone in that group, but I know of several people who are.

Also, cheap people.

And there I am. I hate losing money with a passion. 

As long as its nickles and dimes stuff, that's ok. Count me out if you can buy a full lunch with it.

[RussUK]

I think some people like the buzz they get from certain levels of risk. if you have ever put even a small bet on a horse race (Grand National for example) you'll know the adrenaline rush you get. For some folk they cant enjoy an activity without inserting that same element of risk. The idea that they may win (or even lose) excites them.

 

Now, playing for peanuts is just a bit if fun but there are some that cant stop there. There was a tv program over here that followed a popular betting chain and they said there are two types of customers. Those that pop in for the weeked football bet of a couple of pounds on their team or a cheeky bet on a horse, and those that literally spend all day betting and that many of those did not have a job, they used their benefit money. 

The career gamblers were also more likely to do the same in other activities such as sport they play.

 

For me, if i played for money i'd need to start selling my body to pay for it (and i wouldnt get much!) 

[Jeremie Boop]

I think the most I've ever seen anyone around here actually gamble is skins in league or "bingo, bango, bongo" which is basically, first on, closest to the pin, and first in the hole for like a dime a piece? I think partly it is to do with the level of skill of the people I golf with up here. Not many people are confident enough in their abilities to actually bet on themselves. I know that's a main reason that I don't have any interest in it. Maybe at some point, when I feel like my game is sufficiently solid I'll be willing to gamble a bit but it wouldn't ever be "necessary".

[Cupcakus]

I don't (casino) gamble anymore, I just never won more than I lost and failed to see the point.  However I'm not certain I would call it gambling if my friends and I put money in on the outcome of our golf match.  To me this just feels like any tournament I've ever been in, I've paid my entry fee and I may win money if I win.  I guess I'm nitpicking but playing for money and gambling mean different things to me.

[rehmwa]

I think some people like the buzz they get from certain levels of risk. if you have ever put even a small bet on a horse race (Grand National for example) you'll know the adrenaline rush you get. For some folk they cant enjoy an activity without inserting that same element of risk. The idea that they may win (or even lose) excites them.

Really?  seems a bit of counseling is likely more productive.  Or they are too timid to join the myriad of real adrenaline sports out there.  Golf, no matter how much we like it, really doesn't fall into that category.  It's relaxing, like SCUBA, or baking.

Spice it up = Play for STAKES.  Match play - lose a hole = lose a finger or toe.  And, one's partner has to stand in the front of each tee box to add some stress on each drive.  Perhaps wear shock collars, a bad shot allows the opponents to send a shock.  Lots of ideas to get it going - one in every six balls is explosive (golf roulette). 

[RussUK]

.  It's relaxing, like SCUBA, or baking.

 

Cant think of anything less relaxing the Scuba. I do have a fear of deep water so that may be the cause. And baking? Have you ever seen the Great British Bakeoff? its brutal!

[Fourputt]

Cant think of anything less relaxing the Scuba. I do have a fear of deep water so that may be the cause. And baking? Have you ever seen the Great British Bakeoff? its brutal!

Off topic: 

Unless you are diving where there is a heavy current, scuba diving is absolutely effortless.  In cold water there is a bit of effort involved in getting ready for the dive, with wetsuit or drysuit, added weights and the like, but once you are in the water, you don't work any more than you want to.  You are weightlessly drifting along like flying in a dream.  You can go up or down at will with just a kick, or just by controlling your breathing to change your buoyancy.  It is truly a relaxing experience.  

I bake bread about once a month, and I find that relaxing too.

[pumaAttack]

5 bucks says this topic doesn't reach 10 pages.

[Sante TwoGloves]

make it ten and i will be bumping this thread all day. 

[inthehole]

I had the unfortunate experience of playing with a coworker that insisted on gambling with his buddy yesterday ... $5 a hole. Problem is they both are high hcp-ers. Practically every tee shot was a slice in the adjacent fairway or off in the trees ... they spent so much time searching for their errant balls with all the leaves on the courses. For a normal round, they would take a quick look around, if they can't find a ball, just drop another one ... BUT ... because there was money on the line, they spend so much time trying to find their balls it was ridiculous. It was so distracting it almost took me out of my game (I somehow held it together & had one of my best rounds of the year).

I have had other bad experiences with Asian players in NJ (not to be racist, I'm assuming it must be a cultural thing). In these instances, these guys would gamble on every hole, and I've never seen such grinding (excessive time taken) on putts. But the really annoying thing is that they would take the time to shell money out AT THE CONCLUSION OF EVERY HOLE !! I swear it added a minute or two extra to each hole just to figure out how much they owed each other.

I really hate gambling on the golf course

Edited October 18, 2015 by inthehole