First time with stranger.......

[Red devil]

I saw the heading “First time with a stranger…..” and feared the worst.

Thankfully, some good advice has followed.

I was going to say the same thing. I thought the Forum had been hacked.

 

[Swango1980]

Only speak when spoken to. Don't play out of turn. If you are having a bad hole, just politely pick up your ball so as not to delay him, and recommence on the next hole.

Or, just chill out and realise he is just another person who will most likely be happy he has someone to play golf with. Just play your own game, and if you don't follow the rules, who cares. It is just a friendly practice game, not a comp or score to be submitted for handicap. Just because he plays off 9.5, don't assume he thinks he is a class player and you are inferior. I'm lower than that, and I'm garbage. I don't care if I'm playing with a low or high handicapper. I often play with a guy who is almost off 30 and worst ball striker I've ever seen. Who knows, the 9.5 handicapper may feel more relaxed playing with you that he would with a lower handicapper than him?

Second option is best. 99% chance he'll be fine to play with, and even a chance you guys end up playing many times in future. Many of my long term social golfer friends (and even friends off the golf course in some cases) were first met randomly during a round of golf.

 

[AndrewK]

Thanks for the comments guys. All good and i was maybe over thinking it.

 

[Slab]

hmm a stranger is just a bit of cheese you aren't crackers about ?

 

[Oddsocks]

I was going to say the same thing. I thought the Forum had been hacked.

The forum has been a bit flat of late, it might have spiced it up a touch.

 

[IanMcC]

Just relax and enjoy it. You both want to enjoy the round, after all.
Friendly advice though. I dont believe you should be making up your own rules at this stage, or indeed any stage of your playing career. This sets bad precedents which may be difficult to shake off later when you start playing competitively. Then, if you are caught playing 'your rules', you may find that you have no one to play with, and a bad reputation.

 

[Tashyboy]

The forum has been a bit flat of late, it might have spiced it up a touch.

Nah, saying the spurs v Bournemouth game was rammel does that

 

[sunshine]

I saw the heading “First time with a stranger…..” and feared the worst.

Thankfully, some good advice has followed.

I haven’t read Dear Deirdre for a long time

 

[IanM]

After all this, I hope you're not rained off tomorrow!

 

[Smoj]

Scored my first eagle playing with a stranger; it felt more special knowing someone witnessed it, and we played a few more rounds together after that. also had some fun rounds playing with players in their twilight, some great characters

 

[AndrewK]

After all this, I hope you're not rained off tomorrow!

It was......

 

[AndrewK]

Just relax and enjoy it. You both want to enjoy the round, after all.
Friendly advice though. I dont believe you should be making up your own rules at this stage, or indeed any stage of your playing career. This sets bad precedents which may be difficult to shake off later when you start playing competitively. Then, if you are caught playing 'your rules', you may find that you have no one to play with, and a bad reputation.

Thanks for the advice. I am a bit of stickler for rules so i would normally go exactly as you said. Me and the pal i have been playing with sticking to the rules as much as we possibly could. It does become quite taxing but i am from a competitive background and breaking rules (in competition) is a complete no no.

However recently ive found with the bad weather etc i end up with my game falling apart a bit if i do that. Its so much more enjoyable to find my ball in the rough and just throw it back on the faiway and carry on. I dont have a handicap and at present, other than patting myself on the back when i get the odd genuine birdie everything is just practise. I have a series of lessons booked for the new year and hope to improve.

I hope this also helps with my playing speed too as i would hate to be a pita to someone because my game wasnt fast enough.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

@AndrewK at the moment, not playing in comps, if my ball goes in leaves, mud, rough etc, I'm throwing it somewhere nicer. My friends and I don't play for money so any game is just for fun. It's winter golf, it's a bonus just to be out .