First time with stranger.......

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.
 
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.
 
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
 
IanMcC said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Well, i did meet up with a stranger but it wasnt the one i expected. Played on Saturday and i was supposed to be the only one at my tee time. Teed off and quickly caught up 4 lads playing. By the 3rd hole i had someone behind me also pushing to get a move on. I just said if he is pinging a ball past my lug hole to give me a shout.

Anyhow on the 4th these lads nicely shouted me through and it seems the guy behind also took the opportunity. Played the rest of the round with him. 75 years old playing off 20 handicap. He was a credit to himself tbh, fit as a fiddle and even though i hit nearly every green in 1 less shot i reckon he beat me on every hole. Really nice guy to chat to and made me relax into my game. Even complimented bits of my game.
 
AndrewK said:
Well, i did meet up with a stranger but it wasnt the one i expected. Played on Saturday and i was supposed to be the only one at my tee time. Teed off and quickly caught up 4 lads playing. By the 3rd hole i had someone behind me also pushing to get a move on. I just said if he is pinging a ball past my lug hole to give me a shout.

Anyhow on the 4th these lads nicely shouted me through and it seems the guy behind also took the opportunity. Played the rest of the round with him. 75 years old playing off 20 handicap. He was a credit to himself tbh, fit as a fiddle and even though i hit nearly every green in 1 less shot i reckon he beat me on every hole. Really nice guy to chat to and made me relax into my game. Even complimented bits of my game.
Click to expand...
I'm guessing one of the things he didnt compliment was your putting? ;)
 
AndrewK said:
Well, i did meet up with a stranger but it wasnt the one i expected. Played on Saturday and i was supposed to be the only one at my tee time. Teed off and quickly caught up 4 lads playing. By the 3rd hole i had someone behind me also pushing to get a move on. I just said if he is pinging a ball past my lug hole to give me a shout.

Anyhow on the 4th these lads nicely shouted me through and it seems the guy behind also took the opportunity. Played the rest of the round with him. 75 years old playing off 20 handicap. He was a credit to himself tbh, fit as a fiddle and even though i hit nearly every green in 1 less shot i reckon he beat me on every hole. Really nice guy to chat to and made me relax into my game. Even complimented bits of my game.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what makes this sport great, two people that would typically not cross paths at any point in their lives.
 
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