Advice needed... playing a 4some tomorrow

nmartyn

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Playing a 4some tomorrow with some friends.

Me and my mate vs. two other guys.
trouble is they're both a fair bit better than us so need someway of making things more competitive (other than getting them wrecked tonight!). Prefer to play some sort of matchplay....
 

nmartyn

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yes but when 2 of you have only been playing for 6months and aren't consistent (e.g. was posting high 80's a couple of months ago but am now scoring high 90's/100's) whilst the others are playing off 10 it makes things awkward.
i've suggested them giving us an extra shot per par 4 and 5 which i thinks fair but they're saying:
Lowest handicap gives 3/4 of the difference to other players

Roscoe plays off 10 so therefore...

I play off 16 so I get 0.75x6 = 5 shots
You can play off 18 (2 higher than last weekend!) so u get 6 Matt (don't know what u play off) I reckon 24 so u get 0.75 x 14 = 11

but i'd rather do matchplay as its likely we could use all our extra shots on a couple of holes if we get things pear shaped.
 

Beaker

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Is it a match against them or are you playing just friendly?

A great game to play is Wolf Skins, we play it all the time and means you can have different partners on each hole! Its great banter because you could partner the same person for two or three holes and then the next hole you against them! Really good fun! This is how it works:

On the first tee chuck the four balls up towards a tee marker, nearest goes number one, then two, three and four.

You keep this order all the way round but rotate, so the person who went first on the first would on the 2nd go last and everyone move up one.

On each hole the person going first is "The Wolf". They get to choose one of the next three drives to be there partner BUT can only nominate before the next player tee's off. For example:

Player 1 tee's off
Player 2 tee's off - must be nominated before player 3 tee's off
Player 3 tee's off - can't select player 2 but can select player 3 until player 4 tee's off.
Player 4 tee's off - can't select 2 or 3 but can have player 4 OR go on there own.

Each hole is worth a skin and normal skins rules apply, so if a hole is halved then the next is worth 2. The winning pair both get the value of the skins on that hole.

If the Wolf decides to go on his own then the skins on offer are worth double. This adds great fun as if the last is worth loads of skins, the wolf could take the risk to try and win double and win the match!! Going on your own however does not cost double, as that would be stupid!!

You can also add in stuff like sandy pars, birdies etc - usual skins stuff.

I hope all the above makes sense??! It might sound complicated but its a dead easy game once you get going, and its really good fun and creates very good banter!
 

SammmeBee

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What are you playing at 3/4 handicap if it's not matchplay?

Agree on a certain number of shots but get them to agree you can have them at any time, on any hole, even after a hole is finished.....

Wolf is ok but can be complicated - we play it when you can choose after the tee-shots but before the second shots, and if you call nothing before a second shot is hit then you're on you're own.......
 

nmartyn

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that does sound complicated!!! fun, but complex.
i'd rather keep the pairs as is, simply cos we're good mates whereas don't know/get on with the others so well and we've been playing together every weekend since we started this summer.
its only a fun game, but i think the other guys are a bit too competitive by the sounds of it!
 

HomerJSimpson

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If it is competitive thn the handicap allowance will be fixed according to the competition rules. If it is a social game why not have a stableford and take something like half the combined handicaps. That way even if you have a bad hole it just means you won't score on that one.

The secret to foursomes is to take your medicine when you hit a bad shot and just keep it in play.
 

USER1999

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Are we talking proper foursomes, or four ball better ball. 4somes is tough, 4 ball better ball is easier, if they are way better than you, offer to play their worst score against your best score for better ball. For 4somes, god help you.
 

Herbie

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If you are just having a game with mates and they play off 10 h/c each, get them to play off scratch and give you a shot on holes 1 to 6 stroke index.

That way it gives them something to work at, is simple to understand and gives you a chance if you play off 16 or more but capable of better on a good day.

I wouldnt complicate anything till you get used to playing matches and comps etc. You can always tell how much even seasoned golfers are in these many and varied playing formats, when you look at the corrections on the score cards at the end of a round.lol.
 

madandra

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nmartyn,

The advice I would give you is keep both golf balls in play as much as possible. Although you are ba team you don't want your partner to have the pressure on his shoulders cos you bopped a boomin' drive O.B.
 
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