Do you raise your game...

[Shanks a lot!]

...playing with better players?
I ask because I was invited to play with two single digit handicappers on sunday ( 8 and 9) in pursuit of getting a card signed for my handicap and broke 90 for the first time, albeit an 89. Drove the ball really well all through the game, just the long irons that let me down, but felt after the round that it was probably because they were so much better than me that spurred me on.
Then monday I played with another two gents who played off 20 and I shot a 93, and was very erratic, and only got that because I putted really well, felt like I spent more time in the trees than Swampy!

 

[kid2]

Its not that i raise my game but what i do find is their manner seems to rub off on me in regards to how much they concentrate on their game.....

I also play better in the company of lower handicappers also....Why, I have no idea.....

 

[Perry]

I certainly raise my game. Normally play in 1 of 2 groups. Group 1 consists of an 8, 10 and 12 handicapper. Group 2 consists of 3 guys (no handicaps) who have been playing the same length of time as me but don't take it too seriously. I regularly shoot 5 - 6 shots more when playing with the "no handicappers". I definately raise my game when playing with better players and normally this group play better and more difficult courses.

 

[GreiginFife]

I regularly play my father-in-law who is a pro and his mate who is off 2 and I find that I focus and concentrate more playing them and in turn play better. I think it's down to not wanting to totally show myself up, but last time they gave me my, then, full 12 HC and were calling me a bandit by the end. But in reality, my HC slipped to 13 a few weeks back as I don't replicate that focus playing in club comps.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It doesn't really bother me. It's about me and my ball and trying to get it round in the lowest score possible. I don't try any harder with a lower handicapper. I played with a couple of 20+ guys on Saturday and still shot a PB on the front nine

 

[garyinderry]

yeah it like tennis in a way. i always play better if the group is playing well. this happens more often with the low handicapers.

played a 3 handicaper match play for 13 holes. he asked what i wanted to do about the handicap. i told him we'l play flat. i had to raise my game to keep up with him. i was two over for 13 holes and birdied the last to half the match. no doubt about it. raised my game and learnt a thing or two in the process.

 

[pokerjoke]

Its not that i raise my game but what i do find is their manner seems to rub off on me in regards to how much they concentrate on their game.....

I also play better in the company of lower handicappers also....Why, I have no idea.....

This is a very good point for me.
Concentration levels are much higher for really good players.
I find personally i play better when we are all on our game at the same time.
When im not fully focused that seems to effect my game.
However i am a bit like Homer,i try to concentrate on what im doing
not anyone else.
I also like playing with low single figure handicaps,as i can watch them
and learn from them at the same time.

 

[jplkorea83]

I'm certain it improves you. I played with a low single handicapper in my final year at uni. My handicap went down from 25 to 9 in the space of a year. I picked up so much from him and learnt how to play so many new shots. It even got to a stage where I played for the uni team and was 1 up on a scratch player after nine. Ended up losing heavily as I got far too excited though!

I'd say if it's a one-off, you probably wouldn't play much better but over time, yes.

 

[Stub]

Played my best round in company with three low handicap players and in our weekly roll-ups I always seem to play better when drawn with lower handicap players. I think its all to do with subconsciously adopting their level of concentration, course management - and willingness to take on more difficult (but achievable) shots that high handicappers often opt out of.

 

[MadAdey]

It sure does make you a better player on the day. Someone joined me (10) and my mate (7) last September for a game. He now plays with us all the time. HE was off 25 in September and struggling to play to it. He is now off 20. His game has improved 10 fold from playing with better players as he said he is learning more about playing golf than with the high handicappers he used to play with.

I played my first round since last September a couple of weeks ago and played with a 3 and +2 handicapper. I played beyond expectation. I found myself not wanting to look stupid in front of them so concentrated on making a clean strike rather than just smashing the ball.

 

[One Planer]

I try and play my own game to be honest.

However.

I did play a friendly matchplay a few weeks back with 3 lads who play off 4,6 and 8 respectivley. I made a point to notice how they played the course. When they attacked and when they layed up. Club selection off the tee and where they aim there tee shots (Landing zone)

Definatley opened my eyes.

 

[Curls]

Echoing the above sentiments, yes, but I haven't done so in a long time! My playing partner is off 23 and can have on days but usually blows up at some point and reacts badly so it does affect my concentration. Have a matchplay comp against a 7 h/c coming up and really looking forward to it, while he has to give me some shots I intend playing off bare feet in my mind and seeing how far off that level I am (as that's where I'd like to be)

 

[Jdb2005]

I feel I raise my game, this season, I've started playing with a 3 & 8 handicapper, and although I practiced hard during the winter months I regularly break 80 in bounce games with them (no gimmies).. I've had three 79s a 77 and two 76s and in one of these 76 rounds I was level par for the back 9. I was nowhere near that standard, highest this year so far has been 83. Last year I played with my cousin who is 17 a lot and my best score was 83, which won me a medal. My exact handicap is 18.4 and my current 2 playing partners both agree I should be off at least 12, but hey it's doing it when the card is in the hand. Our first singles medal is the 21st so I'll need to see what I can rustle up.

 

[Andy]

One of the best ways to get better. Watch and learn how they play the course.

Fully recommend playing with lower handicap players.