Playing Partners.

[kid2]

When i played football it was always said that if you were a decent player then playing with better players would elevate your skill to there level given time and that you would improve because their game would start to filter down to you.....
And i can relate to this.... It happened to me when i finally left the club that i had grown up playing with to transfer to one that although was small but were in the top division and had footballers playing with them rather than Choppers...
I played at that level for 11 seasons and played some of the best football i ever played.....

Can the same be said for Golf.....
Do you become a better golfer by playing with better players...
Has anyone improved their game and handicap with playing partners that kick off at the least little thing.

I ask because im now at a crossroads as regards where ill be playing next year and who with.... I play with my Dad and my Mate....Dads off 17 and the mate is off 21....
They both can hit the ball but are forever complaining and think that they should be actually better than what they are..Everytime they hit a bad shot there is tantrums..... Its club throwing, bag kicking, Effing and Blinding...

As much as i try its hard to switch off to it but i do try.... Its got to the point now where everything gets to them.... Slow Play, Their Play, the weather, the wind, whether its stroke play or not, pitch marks on greens.... You name it and i could actually stick it in here....

I want to get better at this game... but i dont want to be going out every week looking at tantrums being thrown because of errant shots or duffed chips or bad putts simply because the people in question wont practice and expect to shoot the lights out at the weekend....

Its also got to the point where im thinking of them instead of myself.... There is a new club after opening up just 10 mins from home.... My Pro teaches there, the facilities are good, membership is only 700 euro for the year, and its only 10 mins from work also which would be great as i could get to play midweek competitions during the summer months... Ill save on fuel costs also and its also got a driving range there too which means i could get out there for an hour before tee off and loosen up.... Something that i cant do presently as i have to travel to our own club with the father.
But everytime i think of jumping over the fence im wondering who they will play with.... My mate can only play every 2nd weekend which means the father is then left on his own... I think he may give the game up if i go to a different club next season although im only guessing this.. But id hate to think im the reason for him packing it in also.

 

[Hobbit]

Play as often as you can with your dad. You'll miss him like 'ell when he's gone and regret every missed opportunity - 'nough said.

 

[In_The_Rough]

See your problem and I do agree playing with better players does help you improve. All my under par rounds bar 1 have been with low single digit handicappers but as Hobbit says play as often as you can with your Dad, my Dad had a heart attack at the start of June this year and at one point it was touch and go if he was going to make it fortunately he did and is fine now and on the road to recovery but it made me realise just how good time spent together is and something that can never be replaced.

 

[Andy808]

I think it's the same in most sports to be honest. Playing with better players forces you to play better if you want to beat them. I used to play pool for a local team and started in the B team but soon got fed up with that and played as many practice games as I could with the A team players until they invited me to join their team as I had gotten too good for the B team.

I play with better players than me when I play golf for the same reason and it's helped me a lot with course management and general game play.
The best option I can think of is to keep playing with your dad and have a word about the tantrums to try and get him to curb them as it will help his game in the long run as well.
One of the guys I play with from time to time puts anyone playing with you through an emotional roller coaster every time you go out and play with him. He can go from being better than the pro when he pars a hole to effin and jeffin when he shoots a quadruple bogey. This game's hard enough at the best of times but I never have a good round when I'm out with him which is a shame as I like him as a person but not as a golfer.

 

[JustOne]

1) Do nothing and just suck it up like a man, focus more!!
2) Speak to your Dad and tell him your feelings
3) Leave and let him quit golf but spend more time with him doing other things , he's clearly not enjoying the game anyway

The new place sounds great... I'd go there (although you'll still probably end up playing with a bunch of whingers)

I don't golf with my Dad, and that's just fine by me. I'd probably have killed him already!

 

[palindromicbob]

I'm in the same boat with my bro. Fortunately he himself has recently stopped most of the competitive golf and we only play bounce games at the mo. I don't think it is a coincidence that my 4 out of my 6 cuts this year have been when not playing with him.

Would hate to be in that situation with my Dad though.

 

[Rooter]

I have played with Murph and Imurg and i had stinking rounds...



I would actually agree though that playing with better players can improve your game, however it can also increase the pressure of a higher handicapper. for example, if Imurg for arguments sake teed off first and hit a peach of a drive, the pressure is now on not to A. Not look like a muppet (i do this well!) and B try and emulate or get close to him.. I think it depends on the individuals psychology and even their frame of mind that day!

Catch me on a day when i dont think about the numbers, the handicap difference and relax, i would probably play well. on a day however when i pile the pressure on myself to "compete" is normally when i go to pot.. as i have forgotten i get a shot on that hole, or whatever..

The situation you are in is tricky though, i play occasionally with club chuckers and ranters etc, just try and block it out. I am lucky that my Dad hates golf, i would have liked a round with my grandad, but he has hung up his clubs now. he still joins societies days for a walk round though which is great and he tells me off from time to time!

Enjoy the time with him i say, as its your dad you can tell him straight without offending him i'm sure, just enjoy it!

 

[BrizoH71]

I tend to find that playing with better players, I often drag them down to my level rather than the other way about.

I find I play better when playing with players of a similar ability to my own, maybe a shot or 2 either way; it instills a desire to be 'top dog' in the group, at least for me.

As to your dad dilemma, its already been said... give as much playtime with him as you can. My dad doesn't play golf - in fact, none of my family do - but I sometimes wish he did.

 

[pheel88]

Why not go to the new club and see if your dad wants to join there. If he does then play the midweek comps on your own and with him the other times. Your mate would be better pay and play if he can only play every other weekend wouldn't he so it wouldn't make a difference which club you will be at. Not sure if it would work but may give the best of both worlds.

 

[Stegsie]

Play as often as you can with your dad. You'll miss him like 'ell when he's gone and regret every missed opportunity - 'nough said.

100% Agree. I took up the game with my Dad. He's too ill to play now, and has been for a number of years, I'd do anything to go and have a round with him again.