BANTER, YES or no

[Twin Lakes]

I would be interested to hear peoples views on the appropriateness of banter both on and off the course.
1. Is it ok to say it's bad, if it's bad?
2. Is it ok to remind your golfing mates just how bad it was?
3. Is it ever ok to blame the weather, the course or a million and one other reasons for playing like a muppet?
4. Is it ok for me to make retching/vomiting noises when a mate misses the green from 50 yards or tops a shot?

This is where I stand. I think the answer to the above questions are 1. Yes 2. Yes 3. NEVER 4. Probably not but i'll do it any way :whoo:

The above applies to all non competitive rounds, all finished with a hand shake and some more mickey taking in the clubhouse. And if it's been really bad a few texts during the week

I for one feel a little bit let down when I get away with playing like a muppet and my playing partners say unlucky. Whats luck got to do with it?

I'm not much of a golfer myself, playing off 12. I think how you act on and off the course in this great game is a mirror of how you act in the rest of your life. I've never thrown a golf club yet! I've seen plenty of people doing it. I assume they think the club has done something wrong

 

[Bomber69]

I agree with you on this, competitions are totally different mind you and I would not do any of the above during a competition but as for a bounce game with your mates yes then taking the piss is the way to go. Mind you I do like to dish it out after a competition and it works both ways, I will take the stick for a bad round:whoo:

To many guys like to think they are good at this game and don't like getting reminded about the bad rounds/shots but love to tell you about the good ones:rofl:

 

[jimbob.someroo]

Depends what your playing in.

Had a playing partner once say I was being overly aggressive for trying to punt a wood 190 yards down a fairway (rather than hitting a full 4 iron) and pulling it into some water. I nearly threw him in to follow it.

If it's your mates, by all means have a laugh and take the mick. If it's a qualifying comp, unless you're very familiar with those your playing with, I think it's safer not to.

Afterwards in the bar however ...

 

[Hacker Khan]

Depends on how well your mates can take a joke and how much it goes on. From my experience there is always at least one person in a group that takes golf a bit too seriously. And one person could think it happens very seldomly, whilst another could see it as happening a lot, especially if they are on the receiving end.

I'd say I am one of the least competitive golfers out there as I am a bit crap and I know it. But if someone texted me all week and made noises when I was trying to play my best and enjoy myself, I may well stick my 6 iron in his spinal column. Or at the very least it could get very annoying. Very quickly.

If I play crap I am usually the first to acknowledge it, and I'd rather do that that be constantly reminded by my playing partners. No matter how much I like them.

 

[dufferman]

It can get a bit much... I had an awful round 2 weeks back and one mate hasn't stopped telling me at every opportunity that he wiped the floor with me... I understand that at the time and after the round it's a laugh, but 2 weeks later, the jokes over and it can just get irritating!

 

[Akie]

Think it generally depends on who your mates are and what they're temperament is like when they're playing, if they are prone to getting very angry when they are playing badly I probably wouldn't rib them about it for fear of getting a PW in the face!

 

[tsped83]

A big fat YES, always. We play this sport to enjoy it don't we? When I play with my mates I always offer encouragement and praise when it's due, but you have to have a bit of crack otherwise it's boring and too serious!

 

[JustOne]

I think how you act on and off the course in this great game is a mirror of how you act in the rest of your life.

I've never slept around during a round of golf



Banter in a friendly round? Anything goes!!!!!! :thup:

 

[G1BB0]

the banter is part of the reason I play with my 2 playing partners. When I play a comp in a different group I never enjoy it half as much.

Banter all the way for me. Don't get me wrong we also encourage and congratulate for good shots but love to rip each other for bad ones.

 

[bladeplayer]

Think it generally depends on who your mates are and what they're temperament is like when they're playing, if they are prone to getting very angry when they are playing badly I probably wouldn't rib them about it for

fear of getting a PW in the face
!

It change the last bit .. for fear of them getting thick & me having to hit him a slap for been an idiot .. but the rest is spot on .. have a laugh but know where the line is with everyone & dont step over it .. social golf i supposed to be fun , pushing someone past their limit of fun/banter is not realy fun is it ? ruins the day for everyone

 

[woody69]

I have rarely played a comp so can't really comment, but for friendly rounds with my mates, even for a bit of a stake it's great to have a bit of banter for when they do something wrong. It's all taken in the manner it's given and helps lighten the mood. If I played with someone who couldn't take it, I wouldn't play with them again. Life is meant to be enjoyed.

 

[cookelad]

It's people management - you've got to know when your mate needs you to put your arm around them and say "there there it'll be ok" and when to stick your thumbs in your ears and give him a "ner-na ner na ner ner!"

 

[drawboy]

If you play a cack shot you are going to get a royal ribbing in our school. It is taken the way it is meant anyone who takes offense at a bit of banter should find another game to play. Golf is about the camaraderie and the craic. All blokes together. Remember if it's your turn to get it this week, next week it is someone else's.

 

[TheJezster]

I like the banter, and will glady give and receive during a round (ooerr missus)

Dont mind if its a comp or not, it lightens the mood and proves for an enjoyable round.

Some people can be too stuffy. I try not to play with these people, its no fun. Comp or not.

 

[BoadieBroadus]

in a social round, options 1 and 2 i'd probably be ok with. I've never played with anyone who indulged in option 4.

if I did, it would be a one off and i'd never play with him again.

I wouldn't consider myself stuffy, but that crosses the line for me.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Trouble is, a lot of the guys who dish it out can't take it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I can take and give it in social rounds although to be honest these days I prefer to focus on my own game and use these rounds for work on my game. I think GM Forum days are something else and the banter is savage and a great part of the day. Of course competition days are sacrosanct and I would never dream of interfering with the concentration of another player.

 

[Imurg]

You want to come out with Me, Fragger and CVG on a Friday - we draw the line at putting someone off during a shot but other than that almost anything goes..leaving bags/trolleys in line with Fragger's ball when he needs to chip on, jeering, "No-one likes to see that" on a regular basis - it's what makes it fun.

 

[Joff]

Banter is what makes golf. As long as you can take as well as give.

 

[T89]

YES!

Banter is part of the game, I enjoy the sociable part of golf as much as the actual game. Playing with a group of mates you can have a joke at poor shots (In my case many) and applaud a good shot.

However if its a comp where youre playing with "randoms" Then no