An absolute privilege

[mcbroon]

So I took a cheeky half day off work today to play in the weekly medal. I rolled up to the club with no game organised, trusting that the pro would find me a game. And that he did - with the two previous club champions, both off scratch, both of whom play for our scratch team.

I've said to people on here in the past that there's no need for nerves on the 1st tee but I don't mind admitting that I was mildly terrified. Happily, I managed to find the fairway with my tee shot and I went on to play ok, shooting 78, which is right on the buffer (par 69, SSS 70). Should have been lower but for three daft double bogeys.

But that's not the point.

I've played with Cat 1 guys before, guys off 4 and 5, and I wasn't too far from them in terms of ball-striking but these boys were in a different league. One of them, who is stupidly long, was hitting a 2 iron past my driver. He holed absolutely nothing all day and shot 70. The other guy...

Well, he turned up and realised he'd left his putter at home, so he borrowed one from one of the other guys in the team. And I think he might keep it.

He shot 64.

Went out in 33, back in 31. 6 birdies, 1 bogey. He was only in trouble off the tee once and, rather than try something daft, he just made sure he found the green with his second and two-putted for par. I said on here the other day that playing with low h/cappers was like a free playing lesson but this was more than that - it was an absolute privilege to witness.

And they couldn't have been nicer, either. Really sound guys. Today is one of the best days I've ever had on the golf course and it was nothing to do with my own game.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Many low single figure guys are great company. They know they have the skill and have no pretentiousness. Most are happy to pass on advice (although clearly not in a comp!) and encourage higher handicappers. We have a few at our place and they are a joy to play with. Good scoring in that company too

 

[chrisd]

I really like that story. It shows that not all low handicappers are up there own bums and I'd relish the chance to play in a game like that!

 

[JustOne]

Some people love playing with better golfers, others just get all moody about their own game, glad you are in the 'enjoyed it' category :thup:

 

[mcbroon]

Homer, cheers. I was just pleased I didn't embarrass myself.

Chris, it was great and it only cost me £3! I could have gone to the football on Saturday for £28 and been miserable. Total bargain.

JO, I don't know how anyone wouldn't enjoy it. Not only is it great to see guys hit the ball so well, you get free insight into how they go about the game. If you can't take a lesson from playing with these guys, then you'll never learn.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

So I took a cheeky half day off work today to play in the weekly medal. I rolled up to the club with no game organised, trusting that the pro would find me a game. And that he did - with the two previous club champions, both off scratch, both of whom play for our scratch team.

I've said to people on here in the past that there's no need for nerves on the 1st tee but I don't mind admitting that I was mildly terrified. Happily, I managed to find the fairway with my tee shot and I went on to play ok, shooting 78, which is right on the buffer (par 69, SSS 70). Should have been lower but for three daft double bogeys.

But that's not the point.

I've played with Cat 1 guys before, guys off 4 and 5, and I wasn't too far from them in terms of ball-striking but these boys were in a different league. One of them, who is stupidly long, was hitting a 2 iron past my driver. He holed absolutely nothing all day and shot 70. The other guy...

Well, he turned up and realised he'd left his putter at home, so he borrowed one from one of the other guys in the team. And I think he might keep it.

He shot 64.

Went out in 33, back in 31. 6 birdies, 1 bogey. He was only in trouble off the tee once and, rather than try something daft, he just made sure he found the green with his second and two-putted for par. I said on here the other day that playing with low h/cappers was like a free playing lesson but this was more than that - it was an absolute privilege to witness.

And they couldn't have been nicer, either. Really sound guys. Today is one of the best days I've ever had on the golf course and it was nothing to do with my own game.

Glad you enjoyed playing with me

 

[garyinderry]

nice to see your home course played in a different way.


sounds like a real pleasure

 

[TheClaw]

So I took a cheeky half day off work today to play in the weekly medal. I rolled up to the club with no game organised, trusting that the pro would find me a game. And that he did - with the two previous club champions, both off scratch, both of whom play for our scratch team.

I've said to people on here in the past that there's no need for nerves on the 1st tee but I don't mind admitting that I was mildly terrified. Happily, I managed to find the fairway with my tee shot and I went on to play ok, shooting 78, which is right on the buffer (par 69, SSS 70). Should have been lower but for three daft double bogeys.

But that's not the point.

I've played with Cat 1 guys before, guys off 4 and 5, and I wasn't too far from them in terms of ball-striking but these boys were in a different league. One of them, who is stupidly long, was hitting a 2 iron past my driver. He holed absolutely nothing all day and shot 70. The other guy...

Well, he turned up and realised he'd left his putter at home, so he borrowed one from one of the other guys in the team. And I think he might keep it.

He shot 64.

Went out in 33, back in 31. 6 birdies, 1 bogey. He was only in trouble off the tee once and, rather than try something daft, he just made sure he found the green with his second and two-putted for par. I said on here the other day that playing with low h/cappers was like a free playing lesson but this was more than that - it was an absolute privilege to witness.

And they couldn't have been nicer, either. Really sound guys. Today is one of the best days I've ever had on the golf course and it was nothing to do with my own game.

Admirable, the way he took his medicine

 

[vkurup]

Agree, I enjoy playing with low cappers. However, some seem to be too full of themselves.
Played a 5HC in a matchplay. He ripped me apart and I lost on the 12th hole. He took his ball and left. So I had to do the walk of shame from the 12th to the clubhouse. Though he is entitled to walk after beating me, I thought it was a bit unsporting (esp since I payed half his green fees).

 

[Curls]

Agree, I enjoy playing with low cappers. However, some seem to be too full of themselves.
Played a 5HC in a matchplay. He ripped me apart and I lost on the 12th hole. He took his ball and left. So I had to do the walk of shame from the 12th to the clubhouse. Though he is entitled to walk after beating me, I thought it was a bit unsporting (esp since I payed half his green fees).

What a charming man. Hopefully you won't come across too many of them lad, he sounds like a prize.

Great story OP, had a similar experience recently playing against a scratch guy in a fourball and man was it an eye-opener - similarly couldn't meet nicer a real gent. What the games all about really (not vkurups so-and-so)

 

[IanG]

Agree, I enjoy playing with low cappers. However, some seem to be too full of themselves.
Played a 5HC in a matchplay. He ripped me apart and I lost on the 12th hole. He took his ball and left. So I had to do the walk of shame from the 12th to the clubhouse. Though he is entitled to walk after beating me, I thought it was a bit unsporting (esp since I payed half his green fees).

Sorry, unless his wife is in labour, or equivalent, that is just plain rude. The only consolation is that with behaviour like that he'll have no mates left

 

[philly169]

i had a game similar on Saturday at our place in a stableford comp, the third didn't turn up so starter asked if we'd go out as a 2, we both said no problem. the chap i was playing with was off 5 and was steady all day and he was a joy to watch and talk to. I've been playing well of late and was able to keep up on some holes getting FIR & GIR most of the day just a bit off with the flatstick.

I told him it was nice to play with a low handicapper who was steady and happy just making pars all day, we had no rush so every shot we hit was thought out and smooth, not rushed at all.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Last time I played with a low single figure guy (dead nice bloke btw) he advised me to try and play more with the Cat 1 guys rather than just with my mates and normal roll-up group - would help me enormously in my quest to get back to single figures. As it happens the knock I played with him was the June medal when I shot 6 over and 8 under CSS.

 

[harpo_72]

It's always interesting to see how people score, I don't mind what the handicap is, in that some of the old boys compile a good score by just pushing it up the middle and chip and putt. Then you have the young lads who play the crash wallop and seeing them control that power is impressive. However I am of the age group that is in between, no crashing and walloping unless required but playing well with in ones performance envelope, and easing the ball close to pins where possible and sinking ridiculous putts occasionally. So I enjoy watching players like that, who are just accurate, they hit the ball at precise points and can work the ball.
i have come across grumpy low handicappers and but more often than not they are a happy bunch. Did you also notice how positive they were about stuff? They never deride themselves and they put the last hole behind them and move on, unless its positive and then they use that to take them on... It's like they are climbing a hill and to get higher you have to stay positive or you will roll back down it and have to start again.

 

[mashleyR7]

Homer, cheers. I was just pleased I didn't embarrass myself.

Chris, it was great and it only cost me £3! I could have gone to the football on Saturday for £28 and been miserable. Total bargain.

JO, I don't know how anyone wouldn't enjoy it. Not only is it great to see guys hit the ball so well, you get free insight into how they go about the game. If you can't take a lesson from playing with these guys, then you'll never learn.

Off of a 7.7 handicap you was hardly going to embarrass yourself was you?

 

[Curls]

Off of a 7.7 handicap you was hardly going to embarrass yourself was you?

One can always embarrass oneself.


:smirk:

 

[londonlewis]

So I took a cheeky half day off work today to play in the weekly medal. I rolled up to the club with no game organised, trusting that the pro would find me a game. And that he did - with the two previous club champions, both off scratch, both of whom play for our scratch team.

I've said to people on here in the past that there's no need for nerves on the 1st tee but I don't mind admitting that I was mildly terrified. Happily, I managed to find the fairway with my tee shot and I went on to play ok, shooting 78, which is right on the buffer (par 69, SSS 70). Should have been lower but for three daft double bogeys.

But that's not the point.

I've played with Cat 1 guys before, guys off 4 and 5, and I wasn't too far from them in terms of ball-striking but these boys were in a different league. One of them, who is stupidly long, was hitting a 2 iron past my driver. He holed absolutely nothing all day and shot 70. The other guy...

Well, he turned up and realised he'd left his putter at home, so he borrowed one from one of the other guys in the team. And I think he might keep it.

He shot 64.

Went out in 33, back in 31. 6 birdies, 1 bogey. He was only in trouble off the tee once and, rather than try something daft, he just made sure he found the green with his second and two-putted for par. I said on here the other day that playing with low h/cappers was like a free playing lesson but this was more than that - it was an absolute privilege to witness.

And they couldn't have been nicer, either. Really sound guys. Today is one of the best days I've ever had on the golf course and it was nothing to do with my own game.

Get a room... haha

I must admit, this sounds like an excellent result on a speculative half day.
Wish I had had a half day yesterday!

 

[mcbroon]

One can always embarrass oneself.


:smirk:

Absolutely. If I'd missed buffer by a mile, which I've done a few times this season, I'd have been embarrassed.

 

[vkurup]

Sorry, unless his wife is in labour, or equivalent, that is just plain rude. The only consolation is that with behaviour like that he'll have no mates left

No.. we met in the bar and he bought me a drink!