Playing with better golfers. Does it help your game?

[Brian 222]

It helps me. Half the guys in my weekly 12 are better and when teamed with them I score better. Many reasons including their pace of play , the way they size up each shot , and the occasional tip.
I didn't think they were watching me that closely but after the first 9 last week on of them says ...you tee everything too high. Try a bit lower.

I did and my drives are better.

 

[Neilds]

Can be a bit of a double edged sword. In the early days of playing, I used to try and keep up with the bigger hitters, try carries that they could do and I couldn't. Now I know my own game better I just concentrate on what I am doing and try to ignore the other players.

 

[Imurg]

I don't know as it doesn't happen very often

 

[Neilds]

I don't know as it doesn't happen very often

At 18.7, on Saturday I was the ‘best’ golfer in my 3 ball

 

[pokerjoke]

I don't know as it doesn't happen very often

High handicappers at your club

 

[Imurg]

High handicappers at your club

Most of the really low guys don't get up early enough for me....

 

[Arthur Wedge]

A few years back I played a lot of Pro Ams , I found playing with the Pro’s a very good learning experience, mainly the ability to keep a score going and their ability to get up and down from within 50 yards regularly to rescue a hole

 

[Orikoru]

I'm not sure if it does really. I played with a +1 a couple of years ago and certainly didn't learn much - whenever I was hitting driver he was hitting 3 iron, and when I was hitting 3 wood off the tee on the short ones, that was when he got driver out to try and reach the green. He was playing a completely different game to me.

Moreso, I think playing with high handicappers having a bad day is likely to have a negative effect on your game. Longer time in between your shots, possibly more time looking for their balls, it all adds up and makes it harder to perform well. So if playing with good players means an absence of that then it could be a positive.

 

[Burnsey]

Most I play with are better than me, but I only play once a week in a comp, so they tend to act like it's a comp and tips are non existent.

I don't class better as particularly good, so no, not really. I prefer the naff ones, then I win

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Depends on the context of the game being played. If I play a friendly bounce match off normal tees nothing to play for but a bit of pride it can help as you relax and get into a stride of seeing how easy the game is. Played with my brother nearly 2 weeks ago now I’m off 4, he’s off Scratch but both of used to be lower and seeing how easy the game was for him is a joke and it does drag you along a little bit.

But playing Strokeplay comps with lower players can be painstaking and so slow. When I used to play county games as a junior and back before I stopped I completely fell out of love with the game. Taking everything so seriously and how long some guys would take to line up putts. Walking 30-40 yards to a green to judge a pitch shot etc, to me that doesn’t help anyone with a higher handicap play better it just puts people off their stride and sucks the enjoyment out of the game.

 

[IanM]

Depends on who it is

 

[Mel Smooth]

I think in general, yeah, it definitely helps.

I've got the son in law into golf and it's a big distraction when you are looking for balls, and watching the groups infront and behind so you can monitor when to call a group through. It's a lot easier to play well when you are focussed on your own game, and if you've got a decent player in the group - just to watch there tempo and decision making.
That said, I just want to enjoy the time out on the course so it's not a massive factor for me.

 

[kp17]

I think it does yeah. For years the circles and groups I was friendly with and played in I was probably the worst golfer, but always felt it brought my game on a good bit when standards were that bit higher or playing matches, doubles etc

It just left you a bit scunnered watching the top guys make it look easy, or dragging them in the trees every hole looking for your ball

 

[Robin Hood]

I enjoy playing with really good golfers. It gives you an insight into their set up and course management.
I always used to use an 8 iron to punch in a shot from say 30 yards or closer. My results were erratic; in fact the weakest part of my game.
The low handicappers would use a lofted wedge and obviously be more consistent.
I try both now depending on the lie of the ball.
It’s still the weakest part of my game !! Perhaps I need a lesson or three.

 

[clubchamp98]

Depends on the context of the game being played. If I play a friendly bounce match off normal tees nothing to play for but a bit of pride it can help as you relax and get into a stride of seeing how easy the game is. Played with my brother nearly 2 weeks ago now I’m off 4, he’s off Scratch but both of used to be lower and seeing how easy the game was for him is a joke and it does drag you along a little bit.

But playing Strokeplay comps with lower players can be painstaking and so slow. When I used to play county games as a junior and back before I stopped I completely fell out of love with the game. Taking everything so seriously and how long some guys would take to line up putts. Walking 30-40 yards to a green to judge a pitch shot etc, to me that doesn’t help anyone with a higher handicap play better it just puts people off their stride and sucks the enjoyment out of the game.

Yep best player I ever played was +6 he was also the slowest.

It was awful.

 

[Depreston]

Played with some scratch and + cappers joy to watch bad shots are always left or right never short or long feel like they’ve always got a look at birdie nearly every hole

The lower cappers who are off 2-5 are also good to play with they’re often not much between our best shots they’re just steady away and don’t make the big numbers often

 

[irip]

I often play with a guy who is off +2. He is really quick and makes the game look easy, he has great etiquette and knows when to say good shot or keep his mouth shut depending on you and your handicap (and can give out serious abuse if he knows you well enough).
The difference between me and him is he hits my best shot every shot.
He plays for fun and I think would be the same if off a 20 handicap.
I always feel relaxed playing with him as it’s going to be an enjoyable round every time and I get to see some great golf

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Not sure I have noticed someone’s handicap when it comes to pace of play


Have played with very Low HCs that fly around and high handicaps that take forever - and vice versa

 

[irip]

Not sure I have noticed someone’s handicap when it comes to pace of play


Have played with very Low HCs that fly around and high handicaps that take forever - and vice versa

I don’t think handicaps make a difference in general to speed of play.
For me in past experience if you get 2 slow golfers together it seems to bring the group down speed wise.
Maybe it’s because 3 faster golfers can drag a slower player round.
The 1st club I joined you had to play 3 rounds with a committee/handicap officer who would judge you on speed of play & etiquette as much as ability and to gain a handicap.
This may seem old fashioned now but I don’t think it was a bad thing.
I also know of a very good player who took an age to play and he ended up with nobody to play with.
I played with him once in a fourball were it took 6 hours to go round and refused to play with him again.
He was surprised as we had had finished 1st & 2nd in a medal and I told him afterwards and his reply was maybe if you had slowed down you would of beaten me

 

[Backache]

I think when I play with better players I maybe concentrate a bit better and do seem to play better.
I play with quite a few golfers better than me who are mid to low single figures handicap.
I very rarely play with very good golfers around scratch.
Possibly partly an age thing I am now mid 60's and generally play with a similar or older age group some of whom were quite low but can't play to that level now.