Playing with Better Players

RE: Playing with Better Players

Johnny Tee — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 04:53:32 GMT

[quote user="Frank P"]Here is what an outstanding player once told me " If you were a nice person to play with, I'm going to remember that long after any bad golf shots that you hit. Conversely, if you shot a 68 and acted like a jerk for 18 holes, I'm not going to remember the score, just the jerk." I get to play with a lot of PGA Club Pro's during the winter and they are a lot of fun to play with and I'm no great player by any means. Hey, these pro's play with their members during the season.

[/quote]

I think this really hit the bullseye.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Mike M — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 09:20:04 GMT

I know it's been said a lot of different ways, when playing with better players is remember to play within yourself.

You're you...not them.Keep that thought, you'll have more fun and be less intimidated.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Skip Guss — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 10:26:12 GMT

Happy July 4th, everybody!

GREAT comments and thoughts on this topic!

Gotta love everything about TeamTitleist!

You guys ROCK...

RE: Playing with Better Players

Derek C — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 21:07:59 GMT

That’s a really nice way of looking at it Skip. Thanks for sharing. Definitely something I will try to keep in mind going forward when I feel like I shouldn’t be sharing the course with others that are much better than I am.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Sebastien D — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 02:25:07 GMT

I get loads of people that get intimidated by my drives and abilities (but I am only a 3hdcp)

I can bomb some balls of 300+ yards without an issue.

I remember playing with a group of 3 ladies.
Hole #1 is a 406 yards par 4, I had 100 left in.
Hole #2 185 yard par 3 with very little margin for error. Got it close and I was 2 under after 2. One of the ladies, couldn't hit the ball. She was nervous and scared of slowing me down. I was in no rush...lol

On the third tee, 520 yards par 5, I had a group discussion. I asked her why she was nervous and she explained the above reasons. I calmly explained to her that unfortunately she was terribly wrong. She was going to wait after me all day. She didn't believe me.

I went on to explain that I can reach every par 5 on our course in 2 shots so I have to wait until the group ahead is cleared over 300 yards before I can tee off and cleared of the green on par 5's.

At the end of the day, on 18, she told me I was right and she was happy that I broke the intimidation factor she was living at the beginning of the round. I can now play with them without a worry. They are fun ladies also.

Don't be intimated or scared. Golf is a big social walk for 4.5h while taking in some sun and enjoying a challenge.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Chris G — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 15:55:53 GMT

It's 100% true that good players could care less about how you're hitting the ball as long as you're a nice person to play with and you keep up with the pace. Everything else is nonsense.

I consider myself a good player, but I definitely wasn't born that way. It took a lot of work over a lot of time as Skip figured out on the slopes.

I regularly play with 20 handicappers and +4 handicappers. As long as they're pleasant to be around and don't hold the group up much, I'll happily play with them again any time.

RE: Playing with Better Players

JScott77 — Thu, 30 May 2019 21:49:22 GMT

I play with my club’s champ (a 28 year old +4) as often as possible. He is always willing to give constructive feedback, I play better when i play with him, and mostly, I learn from him. His simple way of reading greens has helped me a lot. I’m a 5 handicap and feel I can always get better inside 100 yards. Granted, he flies his drive further than I can hit mine and he is two clubs long than me but it’s all good. All that said, I will play with anyone. Golfing is a huge way to relax and unwind and most golfers I play with are really good people.

RE: Playing with Better Players

MRodriguez — Thu, 30 May 2019 17:42:44 GMT

I play better with better players. I always try to ride with the best player in our group during our Men's Club tournaments. I know if i am keeping up with the better player i stand a better chance to win my flight.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Ben A — Thu, 30 May 2019 16:42:55 GMT

+1 on the I play better with better players. I actually play worse with less experienced players. I feel bad for them, I watch their swings, I want them to feel better about themselves...

Man, I need to cut that out and give them something to aspire to, right? ;-)

RE: Playing with Better Players

Kurt K — Thu, 30 May 2019 15:21:52 GMT

Don't mind playing with better players anymore. It's like getting a "playing" lesson. Even as a 2 handicap I learn a lot (many times what not to do). Still enjoy playing with anyone who has a love of the game and has a good time on the course.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Lance P — Thu, 30 May 2019 02:21:40 GMT

You can learn so much just by observing a "better" player! One of the main reasons they shoot a lower score
(besides talent) is they minimize their mistakes. If they are in trouble they get out with minimal damage. I might be in the trees and instead of the easy and smart punch-out into the fairway I go for the green, flail and fail, and then do my best Nancy Kerrigan imitation: "Why? Why? Why?"!

RE: Playing with Better Players

Jeff Martin — Fri, 24 May 2019 23:37:45 GMT

I catch myself at times getting very frustrated and have to remind myself that this is just a game to relax. Don't get me wrong I always put forth my best effort, but my family doesn't really on my golf skills to eat. LOL! Relax and have fun.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Jerome C — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 20:52:29 GMT

Skip as always very positive and great Advice .
Thank you (Now I have to forward this on to my Wife )
Enjoy the rest of the season .

RE: Playing with Better Players

SammyC — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 17:12:49 GMT

I enjoy playing with all different skill level players. If I play with someone better than me, I will watch and learn.. and sometimes ask for advice or what not.
If I’m playing with someone not as good, I seems to be pulling for them to play better and will offer advice once they ask.
As you all know, golfers are the best people on EARTH and enjoy playing with all types of skill level
Players.

RE: Playing with Better Players

trevor p — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 17:22:56 GMT

Sadly, I have no choice but to play with better players. I working on it though....

RE: Playing with Better Players

Joshua B — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 22:48:06 GMT

I got paired up as a single one day to play with the Uconn golf team! Super intimidating at 1st but people are people and golf is the great equalizer. I do tend to step up and play better when playing with better players. It's the king distance hitters that throw me off, as I inevitably swing out of my boots to keep up.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Elson C — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 14:48:06 GMT

We all have been there.
I have played city tournaments with scratch players, right after I picked up a club for the first time.
I was put on a foursome with 3 awesome players for the qualifying round on my very first City of Taylor golf tournament.
I initially felt bad for holding them up.
But to my surprise they were very gracious on how they treated me that day, on the par 71 course we played, they shot mid to high 60s, I on the other hand shot a lovely 140.
I learned a lot that day, the round to me became more of a playing lesson than a bad round of golf.
Every time I topped the ball, one of them helped me out with the proper set up.
I watched and learned how they took their time to read the greens and then to putt.
I was cheered on every one of the few good shots I hit that day.
I had my very first birdie on the last hole of our round.
I still remember, a par four, the 9th hole of Taylor Meadows.
I sliced my tee shot on the tall grass just outside of the hazard.
I hit my 9 over the green the ball came to rest on the far side of the green between the fringe and the first cut.
One of my playing partners seeing my look of confusion on what to play next, took his time to help me with my options, I could try to chip or putt.
He helped me pick a line and from there I took a good wack with my putter, following the fringe line of the green, the ball rolled 3/4s of the green on the fringe line, then it picked up the slope left towards the hole and died dead center to the hole.
Pretty special to me.
I came dead last on that years tournament and the next year, however I have had fun every time, I did hurt my back after the second year and have not played on the championship since 2012. I might play this year depending on my back.
I have gotten much better with the years, still I am a high handicapper who just enjoy the game.
I have also played with first timers and I enjoy helping someone to get their first steps into the game,
Golf is an absolutely fantastic game where most people understand the struggles of it and are willing to see you thru it, regardless of how bad you play.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Chuck Zirkle — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 16:27:33 GMT

Definitely advantageous to play with golfers you can learn from. I play at least once a week with a PGA teaching professional who use to play on the tour many years ago. He has helped my game a lot. Guess the biggest thing that I have picked up from him is the importance of tempo and managing my shots. I seem to pick up something small every time we play and we have a great time playing together. When I hit a truly good shot, he always responds with BUTTER.
Great feeling. I have always wanted to play with better golfers, being I started the crazy game in 1984 at the age of 38, when we moved to Charleston. Self taught. Learned that softball and golf do not mix.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Skip Guss — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 22:02:36 GMT

Love the comments, everyone! You all are great!

One advantage to playing with REALLY good players...their tempo...rhythm...and "effortless power" can REALLY help players of lesser ability. Watch & absorb the "feelings" your eyes see....wonderful stuff!

RE: Playing with Better Players

Frank P — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 19:07:20 GMT

Here is what an outstanding player once told me " If you were a nice person to play with, I'm going to remember that long after any bad golf shots that you hit. Conversely, if you shot a 68 and acted like a jerk for 18 holes, I'm not going to remember the score, just the jerk." I get to play with a lot of PGA Club Pro's during the winter and they are a lot of fun to play with and I'm no great player by any means. Hey, these pro's play with their members during the season.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Rich T — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 15:25:46 GMT

Love this, Skip.

"Understand this…chill out…and have fun! After all, for 99% of all golfers…it is just a game…a game we enjoy experiencing with friends and loved ones! They want you to succeed…they will do everything they can to help you succeed. Realize this so you can enjoy success!"

Thanks for sharing.
Rich

RE: Playing with Better Players

Speedy — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 12:31:07 GMT

Amen! I've had this issue in the past and learning over the years to just have fun and enjoy the company.

I actually enjoy playing with players better than me, it pushes me to be better OR I pick up a few things from watching them play. Most of these players are from TT that I've met over the years and boy some of them are really good and fun to watch. And some of the nicest guys around.

I'm slowly learning that if I'm having a s***ty day, shrug it off, laugh, have a few cocktails and move on. There's a reason I have a full time job. One goal of mine this year is less drama and tons of more fun on the course.

Thanks for the post Skip, well done.

RE: Playing with Better Players

brian f — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 03:41:10 GMT

Well Skip. I dont mind playing with people of any ability level. We have all been at the starting point. No matter how long you've been playing or how good or bad you are it shouldn't matter. It's all about playing to the best of your ability and getting the most enjoyment out of each and every round. There always seems to be at least one shot a round that keeps us all coming back to play.

RE: Playing with Better Players

Todd T — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 23:38:53 GMT

I find it easier to play with better players as I can learn from them. I learned early that trying to swing out of my socks in trying to keep up with them was only detrimental to my game and psyche! And something also, most better players aren't really concerned with what you're doing as long as you aren't slowing down the game!