Debate - getting paired up with others when you've booked as just a two...

[JezzE]

Afternoon all,
In our next debate we're going to take a look at this scenario, which I know gets some a little hot under the collar: You turn up for the twoball you've booked with your best golfing pal only for the guy in the pro shop to say, "Ah yes, you're playing with A and B - they're out on the putting green waiting for you."

The question is, are the unexpected extra players a bad thing or potentially a good thing, helping you to meet more golfers (in the same way that this forum has) and perhaps providing you with your golfing partners of the future.

I'm looking for two people to take opposing sides in a debate on whether being paired up with other golfers on the 1st tee at the club/course's whim or choosing is a good or bad thing.

So, if anyone fancies either side, drop me an email at jezz_ellwood@ipcmedia.com with either a completed 240-word argument, or bullet points for what you'll be drawing on, and I'll get back in touch with the best two.

If successful, we would need your full name (not forum name) and a usable head shot photo of yourself face-on to the camera.

Look forward to hearing your views on this one...

 

[3offTheTee]

Jezz

Are you talking about your own course or visiting another course? From the post I expect you are talking about your own course.

 

[Oddsocks]

personally, i hate being paired with a strange 2 ball if its unexpected. If i've booked a 2 ball its because i either fancy a quick round and need to get away early, or because its a mate I haven't seen for a while and want a good catch up over 18 holes. I have no issues with being pair up with people i dont know, but when its done without telling you i think its taking the mick!

 

[stevek1969]

I don't have a problem with it ,its happend to me twice last year at St Andrews me an GCD got asked if 2 Swedes could join us a father and son duo, the son played of 7 and the father of 20 if i remember. Really nice guys to play with,a bit competative as they gave each other nothing all round. My memeory of it was the father intentionally hitting his ball into the Road Hole bunker to see if he could get out unfortunately he didn't,in the end a good day with 2 nice guys.

The second time was with 2 Americans, we were standing on the first tee at Portstewart GC when this guy asked if 2 Americans could join us,no a problem we said .He was over with his daughter who had been playing in the British Amateur at Royal Portrush. She was a nice kid with a great swing and could hit the ball very well he on other hand was a pain in the back end. She pushed a shot just left of the green he tore strips of her shouting at her like a madman ,i've never saw anything like it before,he did the same later when she missed a short put,thank god they went of after 9.

The morale of both stories are you never no who you might get paired up with good or bad thats what make this game so good.

 

[JezzE]

Jezz

Are you talking about your own course or visiting another course? From the post I expect you are talking about your own course.

I guess I was really thinking about an away course as you'd presumably know that was a likely scenario at your home club if that was the advertised policy. But either could work if a good argument is presented...

 

[fundy]

A lot depends on the mood I/We are in and also what sort of game we have planned.

Somedays we are going out for a "competitive" friendly where we'd rather stay as a 2 ball, other days quite welcome some different company and a friendly better ball game

Thankfully at ours, they dont add people to the groups without asking you first

 

[fundy]

At away courses I am often on my own when I go away for a few days with mrs and include a game or 2 (if i cant find someone on here to play with!) and in these instances obviously I welcome being paired with someone else, especially if a member at a course Ive never played at before

 

[Whee]

I hate how it's 'expected' that you comply and are forced to play with others.

That said, if I went down to the course as a loneman looking for playing partners, i'd ask people on their arrival, rather than having the clubman tell people I was joining them.

Have been on the good end of it and the bad, played with a Frenchman who was quality and taught me a lot without speaking, watching him chip was a thing of beauty. The bad would be non-bunker raking Koreans.

 

[GB72]

Generally I have no problem with it and think it would be better for the general pace of play if groups were made up to the same size. I do, however, feel that it is only polite to make the policy clear before booking then you can decide in advance if you are happy to play with others or if you want a quick 2 ball or a chance to chat. I would far rather be out in a group than out on my own if I am trying to play an away course. In fact, I would be happy if clubs gave the opportunity to add yourself to other's tee times to ensure some company on your round.

 

[sev112]

Has anyone got a fence i can sit on ?

 

[sev112]

Although if you can get me a ruond at St Andrews. i'll test it out for you and see how it goes ....

 

[FaldosJumper]

interesting thread... When I joined my current club many moons ago when I moved to the area I used to hover around the club shop asking to play with people if they filled the start sheet and there was space. Some said yes others no, I won't normally refuse to offer but there is a chap at our club who has a reputation for cheating and no-one wants to play with and he'll ask... our group make excuses and depart stage left.

 

[bernix]

i hate playing in a twoball getting stuck behind the fouball game ahead. much better being completed to a fouball by the starter. in my vast experience i was hardly ever joined by golfers i'd rather never met.

 

[User20205]

I don't mind it really. At a top course at busy periods you have to expect it.

in the 2-3 times it has happenend I've met some pretty decent people.

I suppose the fear is being paired up with a knob, but half of the people I play with regularly fall into that catergory, so I guess I'm used to it.

 

[full_throttle]

Interesting subject matter here.

I use 2fore1 vouchers which clearly state that in some circumstances a two ball may be paired up, not happened to me yet though. I had a free voucher for the Oxfordshire and the only day I could get in I was to be paired up to make a fourball, didn't bother me one bit but my playing partner had to pull out due to family problems, so that didn't happen.

I have played a few GM meets, and to me it's much the same, I didn't know anybody at my first meet so got put into a fourball was made very welcome and put at ease. No worries at any meet now. I think pairing up has it's merits.

 

[welshjim22]

If i turned up as i have done many times on holiday in the US playing alone and got paired up i would have no problem. In fact last year i got paired up with a chap who brought his non playing wife and mid 20's stunning daughter on the course who just happened to be wearing a Very short dress. I didn't mind until she talked to me on the tee box during the round and then walked off before my shot her dad walked up nudged me and said 'my daughter isn't distracting you is she' he proceeded to apologise for her choice of clothing and i duffed my drive.

However, when i am playing golf with a friend and no mention of the pairing up with others is mentioned on the booking or clearly stated on website i would prefer it not to happen. That said golf clubs need to make money and if it really was that busy i wouldn't object.

 

[Oddsocks]

its seems the most common response is people dont care providing they have been asked.