Playing with scratch golfers?

richy

richy

Journeyman Pro
Joined
Feb 9, 2010
Messages
2,185
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
Visit site
So they draw for Saturdays comp is out and I've been drawn in the same group as a guy off scratch.

This will be the lowest person I've ever played with. Are there any do's and don'ts or should I just play my normal game?

I'm hoping to learn quite a bit watching how someone like this plays the course etc.
 
Play your normal game, but watch him as you might pick up some tips in the way he goes about things on the course, ie course management, pre shot routine, how he would play a difficult hole etc. Don't try and copy his swing or anything like that, because even off scratch he could have some bad habits!

im off 6 currently, but for years playing off 8-10 I played with very low handicap golfers, one of my best mates is always hovering around scratch or 1. my bunker play was very poor, but playing with them I learnt how to play a bunker shot. now saying that, hes a poor chipper (for a scratch golfer) so hes always asking me about chipping!
 
The best thing to do if its a competition is treat them as any other golfer in a competitive situation, don't try and study their game, you have yours and the guy who's scorecard you are marking to worry about!

I used to play with a nice 4 ball... 2, 5, 15 and 22. I learnt a lot from the lower guys but due to having competitions 3 times a week I also played with a lot of low handicappers so had to learnt to play my own game around them and ignore how they play the course.

If its more of a friendly comp then watch and learn!
 
Play your own game and forget about his handicap. Also, try to keep him moving as some of these scratch guys can be really slow ;)
 
Remember to play to your hc he will likely looking at brides/pars on every hole, so don't feel you have to match that.

I know a few guys when playing with a really low hc golfer tend to try and match there drives etc when really if they played to there hc they have the beating of them easy enough.
 
Agree with the other guys on here- just try and learn a few things from him, but don't study him so that you forget about your own game! One thing I've learnt with playing with low handicap players is their course management, they may take a club that you would never dream of, but it gives them a much higher chance of making par/birdie!

Another good feeling is when you make a par and they make a bogey, really gives you a confidence boost!
 
Look forward to it. I absolutely love playing with better players. It's an opportunity to observe and learn free of charge :-)
 
The guy's character will be a bigger factor than his handicap.

Otherwise, learn what you can but focus on your own game. Don't feel intimidated (hard I know) and remember you have just as good a chance of winning the comp as he does.

Having said that, be prepared to say "good shot" to him a lot more often than he says it to you. :D
 
If you hit a drive, approach, or any shot really, better than them

Don't say i could be a scratch golfer and then chuckle

From personal experience ive learned from their pre shot routines & short game
 
MashieNiblick said:
.

Having said that, be prepared to say "good shot" to him a lot more often than he says it to you. :D
Click to expand...

But don't say "good shot" when it is obvious he isn't happy with it.

I'm not off scratch by any means but, one annoying thing is when you don't quite catch one right and your playing partners says "well done", or "good shot".
If you tell them it wasn't, and there response is "well I would have been happy with it", that can really drive you mad.
 
Probably the biggest difference is the preparation for each shot. Good golfers visualise the shot, work out the good and bad areas to miss and have a strategy for the hole. This might be taking on a short par 4 with driver or hitting an iron off the tee of a par 5 that they know they can't reach in 2. If possible they will play to the best side of the fairway to give the easiest shot to the green or make sure they leave themselves under the hole.

It's all simple, basic stuff. The difference is they remember to do it.

Enjoy your round and hopefully he is a nice guy to play with which is more important than how good he is :thup:
 
scratch said:
Probably the biggest difference is the preparation for each shot. Good golfers visualise the shot, work out the good and bad areas to miss and have a strategy for the hole. This might be taking on a short par 4 with driver or hitting an iron off the tee of a par 5 that they know they can't reach in 2. If possible they will play to the best side of the fairway to give the easiest shot to the green or make sure they leave themselves under the hole.

It's all simple, basic stuff. The difference is they remember to do it.

Enjoy your round and hopefully he is a nice guy to play with which is more important than how good he is :thup:
Click to expand...

The difference is they can do it. I always aim for the "right" side of the fairway and try to avoid the places not to miss. Only problem is I'm not that good!!!
 
Was out today with HiD and a friend and it was slow so asked the young lad behind if he wanted to join us and make a fourball , which he did.
On chatting to him it transpired he has just turned pro and was out to play a few holes as he is also working to fund his golf dream.
Yup hits the ball a long way and had very decent short game very happy to match him for the 6 holes we played together.
So just play your game and relax.

We all gave it away after 9 as it had taken us 2.5 hours for the 9, blinking society in front :( Something I'm going to have to get used to as seem to be a lot booked in over the season, will be heading out before them next time.
 
I agree that its good to watch better players, but do not be drawn into trying to 'keep up' with them. They will be bigger hitters than you (probably) and the worst thing you can do is try to smash every shot in the hope you will stick with them...I have fallen into that trap before and it ruins your round! Enjoy!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Mel Smooth
Your Best Round of the Year?
2
Replies
23
Views
2K
RedEyes
RedEyes
T
Deep in the stat cave
Replies
3
Views
2K
HomerJSimpson
HomerJSimpson
T
Tired of being rubbish...how do I improve?
2 3 4
Replies
75
Views
9K
forefathers
forefathers
Oddsocks
  • Locked
Slow play…….
7 8 9
Replies
179
Views
17K
Lord Tyrion
Lord Tyrion
J
Bit of advice - joined a new club
Replies
13
Views
2K
gopher99
G
Top