Playing with better golfers

Lawrence22

Lawrence22

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Can this improve your game? I remember years ago when I used to play a lot of snooker my game seemed to improve when I played against better players. I was an average player who on a good day might get a 50 break, but there was one bloke at my club who regularly scored 80-90 and I always seemed to up my game when I played against him.
I was wondering if anyone found the same was true with golf. Reason I am asking is as of yet I have only played with my brother in law and if anything he is probably even worse than me.
 
Absolutely.

Just watching them strike the ball, their course management and how they approach each shot will help you enormously.

It can be a little intimidating at first but if you (and they) persevere it will be well worth it.
 
Wasn't sure how it would translate to golf. In snooker I always put it down to the fact that I wouldn't take on silly shots as I knew when it went wrong you would be punished. In golf however your game is really your own' the other persons play does not effect your ball.
Interesting to hear other opinions though. Maybe I should try and get a round with a better golfer. My wife has a cousin who plays off 4. Maybe try and get out with him.
 
A resounding YES.

I make a point of playing with 2 very low guys, (3 & +1), and as long as you can get comfortable with them, get on well with them, and know when to have some Banter and when to keep yourself to yourself, its fantastic to play with them.

Shot making, Course Management, and attention to detail, in particular the care over putting, is absolutely inspiring, and I know its helped my Golf this year. Ok, I didnt change much this year, but I was more consistent than EVER before.

Edit : Not sure what you play off, but I'm not recommending that you jump in too far, ie if you're off 26, perhaps seek out some players mid teens perhaps.
 
I think you should definitely try to play with better golfers.

Whatever your standard is, you can learn something. Also, if they are a decent fella, he will be able to offer little tips for you to improve.

Don't worry about putting them off, they should be able to concentrate on their own game without being distracted, we have all started at one point and everyone remembers how they felt when they first started playing
 
The only thing about play which could affect someone elses play is slowness or continually looking for way ward shots (the odd one, fine, but not every tee shot). Other than that, keep a good temprament and you won't bother any one.
 
I am lucky enough to play with some really great golfers through the forum and my club. It never seems to make me play better on the day but it does open my eyes to what is possible. I know that for the 1st few games it did hurt me because I started to try and hit the ball too hard so be aware of that.

I played with a few forum members last week and one of them had a little drill he did before some of his shots, it seemed to me to be a drill to get on plane and it has really worked for me, David Howell did a smiler thing when I played a few holes with him last summer.

There are lots of little things you see that will help you and the good players I have played with have never made me feel stupid. I played with Imurg and played the worse round of the summer and he had a little joke about it but did not rag on me... that said I cant seem to get another game with him :D

More than anything I enjoy playing with better players, it inspires me.
 
i suppose it can work both ways as well, as a 4 handicap, although i do enjoy playing with my mates who are off single figures, it can be sometimes detrimental to my own game, ie if they are having a good round and i'm not, i'll try a little too hard, then my game goes even more pear shaped. whereas if i play with guys off a higher handicap, i don't feel under the same pressure, therfore end up playing well.

Please don't take this the wrong way, just giving you my opinion from past experience's
 
As for the standard I am at, I haven't managed to break 100 yet. I have to wait untill our course is back onto white markers before I get a handicap. My best round so far has been 93 for 17 holes, unfortunately I didn't mark a score on the second hole as I lost a ball just off fairway and didn't want to walk back to tee off second ball as there was a queue on tee behind due to late start due to frost. So I believe I am not far away from breaking 100.
I've met wifes cousin a few times and he seems like a real easy going bloke, I don't think he'd mind going out with brother in law and myself for a friendly game. At the moment I don't think I would fancy going out in a competition with a really good golfer as I would show myself up.
 
Playing with better players in any sport (within reason) helps you to raise your game. I do understand however that some people find it really intimidating playing golf with guys off of single figures as they're afraid of making a complete arse of themselves. Once you overcome the initial first tee nerves playing with 'low' guys can only be a good thing. I've learnt a lot playing with guys off seriosuly low handicaps in the last couple of years (particularly course management) and my game has benefitted as a result.

UP1.
 
i suppose it can work both ways as well, as a 4 handicap, although i do enjoy playing with my mates who are off single figures, it can be sometimes detrimental to my own game, ie if they are having a good round and i'm not, i'll try a little too hard, then my game goes even more pear shaped. whereas if i play with guys off a higher handicap, i don't feel under the same pressure, therfore end up playing well.

Please don't take this the wrong way, just giving you my opinion from past experience's
Click to expand...

Ye I have to sort of agree with this, I may play better if I am playing with someone who is worse then me (yes there are people who are worse :D) I think I am more relaxed, but I still get a great deal from playing with better players.
 
As a single figure handicap, I have absolutely no problem going out with higher handicaps or even beginners. My view is that everyone has to start somewhere and if you can give some pointers on technique/etiquette then its all for the good of the game.
 
Agree 100% with everyone that says playing with better players will improve your game.

I think it applies more to one on one games like (in my case) snooker and pool, but I'm sure it will help your golf as well as long as the better players are good guys too.
 
I played yesterday with Snelly (4), Pieman (5) and JustOne (6). Had a good time and it's always a pleasure playing with better golfers watching the way they approach the game and seeing better strikers of the ball.
It does get a little frustrating though when I've hit what I think is a good drive (by my standards) but then seeing myself at least 30 yards behind them, even more if they have really got hold of one and I didn't quite "catch" it.
And of course, they are then in a position to have a go at the green with a mid iron whereas I am banging a hybrid in, sometimes even a wood to get home.
I guess that's why I get my shots, and in a matchplay situation it's not so bad. But in a Stableford, on a hole where you're not shotting? Yeukk!!
 
I was lucky enough to be allowed to play in the winter league in Carnoustie, as a reserve, where the total handicap of the other five reserves was three!

The unused reserves played at the end of the field and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Yes, it did create concern but my game plan was always to keep my ball in play so a three wood became a five iron and a chip, without the chance of straying off the short grass.

This game plan and, I suppose, the additional concentration, meant I won the cash on a number of games.

Do play with lower handicap players but always be aware that their concentration must not be upset in ball searching. I would also agree with what has already been said ... don't go for the scratch guys, try someone a little bit better and this will let you see how little difference there is between 26 and 20 or 20 and 15 and offer you a target.
 
I played the last two Wednesday afternoons with the assistant pro and I am certain that it has helped. Firstly to see his approach to shots and also the extra care that I took on mine helped and he gave a couple of useful tips as well.

I would do it anytime


Chris
 
Does the reverse of this also happen? If you are a good low handicapper, does playing with a hacker ruin your game? Does the high handicapper bring you down to their standard?

Maybe JustOne could asnwer this? :D
 
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