Do you get intimidated?

Imurg

Imurg

The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
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I have to feel sorry for the guy next to me at the range today. As I was setting up and doing a few stretches and half swings to loosen up, it was obvious that he was hitting the ball well. Not overly far but cleanly.
Anyway, I got going with the wedges and soon worked up to the driver - the main reason I was there. For some reason it was working like a dream. Long, straight, and clearing or pitching into the fence at the back.

All of a sudden the guy in the next bay started chunking, topping, slicing, sh**king and all the rest.

Maybe he saw how well and far I was hitting it and tried to beat me - maybe not but his game fell apart and he left after about 20 minutes, slamming his empty bucket into the pile by the dispenser.
Had to smile but it got me wondering. Do you get intimidated seeing someone else playing well? Can't say that it's ever affected me particularly and I'm always up for a driving war on the range!
 
To be honest Imurg I look for the chavs, or the guys in the jeans with the fag hanging out the corner of the mouth and if possible try to get the next bay, i'm not Tiger but I hit a decent ball the look on their face is priceless. :D
 
Nah, dont get intimidated, in fact if I go to the range, I hardly pay any attention to anyone around.

Played a couple of times with a 1 H/C lad recently, and although I wasnt 'intimidated', I certainly tried a bit harder not to show myself up !
Brings out the best in me if I'm honest, and doesnt put me off, rather it inspires me.
 
I was helping a PGA pro last winter on a public range to fix his shaft position at the top of his swing. (Closed)
It was dark with huge spot lights and you could see the ball very easily.
We were being casually watched by the guy in the bay in fron of my mate.
Then came the swing
Perfect take away, shaft pointing down the line at horizontal. Up to the top of the backswing. Perfect again.then on and on right across the line pointing 30 yards right of his target.
Into the downswing, impact position rescued somehow and squared it just under 300yds. He turned to me with a look of joy as he thought he had it square at the top.
I just said 'rubbish'
The guys face in the bay next door was priceless. He then left.
 
I think it depends. I used to when I started out, with my Dunlop RMS clubs and Donnay woods. Everyone around me could hit a ball, just not me.

Nobody said hello, no-one offered any advice, no-one did anything, except just give me a cursery glance when I shanked one into the wooden side walls!

Why, when the Pro isn't teaching, get out of the coffee shop and just 'cruise' the bays. Offering little tit bits of advice if appropiate. Done in the right way, they may even drum up some extra business. Just a thought.

Now when I go the range, I just feel like a numpty with some nice kit. :D
 
Hitting driver over and over at the range is a waste of time. Even if you're pretty fit you can only hit 6 or 7 properly before fatigue stops you swinging it properly. You should be alternating clubs and hitting pitches or short irons in between.

I dont think the guy was intimidated, he was probably just tired from pointlessly thrashing a driver for half an hour like a lot of young lads do .

If folk spent more time on their scoring game they'd improve their handicaps no end. Alas boys will be boys.
 
I have to say at Maidenhead Golf Centre there are five outside bays right in front of the clubhouse and the ball dispenser and so if I'm on and hitting well I like to practice there for the posing value. If I'm off I'm in the furthest bay possible away from prying eyes. I was outside on Sunday struggling with my new set up and hitting indifferently. Along came two juniors off 8 and 10 o their way to an Open and there to warm up a bit. I ended up stopping as they were striping everyone and mine were feeble in comparison. Don't you hate the youth of today!
 
You might think that and you may be right. However its nice when it works and to be honest the main reason I go outside is because it is seen as a good players area and so you don't get any kids etc mucking about or any absolute beginners banging balls into the side of your bay. I am usually outside alone or next to other decent golfers and so can take my time and really focus on what I'm trying to do. A bonus part is that its near the teaching bay and so I can usually get a qquick 30 second fix if I'm having a problem.

You think what you like. Its the best area to practice, suits my needs and if I can get some kudos for hitting well then cest la vie
 
Hehe.... it's been such a long time since I've hit the ball well that if i suddenly was then I'd probably run out there and start hitting too :D

Can't say that I've ever felt intimidated by someone else hitting well on the range.
 
Intimidated - No.

Unfortuntately, I do glance around and wish I could put the terrible hackers out of my sight. Not the quiet chaps learning the game, but the absolute twits that stand and admire their shoddy work and have all the "presence" but not the game to back it up.

A few weeks back, there was a chap 3 bays in front of me who was totally unable to hit a decent shot. He stopped and wandered by my bay and decided to ask about why I was hitting balls with a sponge in the way.....so I got into a short spiel about in-out drills and wanting to stop the pull (slice) path. He seemed interested (and he NEEDED to do something along these lines in all honesty) but just went back to huge slices and thinned rubbish....

I hate to see bad players getting worse.... :D
 
Dont use public ranges anymore , our course has very good facilities. Used to be a bit distracting tbh and the balls are usually rubbish. Never got intimidated with everyone watching me though ;)
 
In a word, NO

I dont care who or how good anyone else is at the range. Only whenever your on the course in a match does it matter. But I never get intimidated, If I lose so be it.
 
In a word, NO

I dont care who or how good anyone else is at the range. Only whenever your on the course in a match does it matter. But I never get intimidated, If I lose so be it.
Click to expand...

Yeh....but you can already play. The rest of us need to put even more cuts in the srixon range balls the day b4 a match.
 
This thread got me thinking. I don't think I have ever been intimidated (certainly not on the range) even on the course. My problem, especially in matchplay, is that I am not competitive enough. I like seeing others play well and get a genuine pleasure playing someone who I know is better than me. This can inspire me and make me try harder - but does not intimidate. Even in tight matches, I usually judge myself against my current hcp and the course rather than the opponent. On the range, I have never before thought that any golfer would get involved in unspoken oneupmanship - so maybe I have unknowingly intimidated others......I somehow doubt it. (Especially the way I am driving at the moment).
 
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