Stableford and Etiquette

[Nick_Toye]

Afternoon,

It's been a while, but I've been playing some fairly decent golf by my standards and I feel my game is improving really well, becoming more confident.

Today me and my Dad played in a 4 ball with 2 relatives who play society golf, and religiously adopt the Stableford method.

I told them that I'm going to be holing out and completing my round in stroke play. There was no danger in slow play as these 2 are zooming down the fairway in their buggies before I've even got my head cover on my driver.

Now I get Stableford, I understand the general premise and why people play it. If your having a rubbish hole you can pick up your ball and it doesn't ruin your round, I get it. But for me I don't think it gives an accurate report on how well you played hole on hole.

For example I could score a couple of 10s, and that would be 100% my fault, I mis hit a drive, hit in the water, get stuck in a bunker or 3 putt on the green. Now under Stableford, those errors in my game that caused the 10 woudn't count, and I wouldn't have those errors to try and fix to improve my game.

They wouldn't have it and it kind of ruined my back 9 as I was flying on the front 9. I play by percentages, heavily into my statistics, because I believe it gives me an accurate report and at a glance view on how my game is progressing.

Wondered what people thought about that.

Also, there seemed to be very little etiquette during the round, no honour was given to the person who scored better in the previous hole, balls were being hit as soon as that person got to their ball first, regardless of position, and at one point two balls were flying in the air on the green from different directions at the same time.

I came away thinking that I hadn't played a proper round. They are in a golf society and are always asking me to come along, but I really don't think I want to. Golf is an individual sport mainly, and I take it really seriously. Have invested heavily in clubs and I don't want golf to be a social event for me.

Is this the state of golf? (sorry for the rant)

 

[fundy]

Afternoon,

It's been a while, but I've been playing some fairly decent golf by my standards and I feel my game is improving really well, becoming more confident.

Today me and my Dad played in a 4 ball with 2 relatives who play society golf, and religiously adopt the Stableford method.

I told them that I'm going to be holing out and completing my round in stroke play. There was no danger in slow play as these 2 are zooming down the fairway in their buggies before I've even got my head cover on my driver.

Now I get Stableford, I understand the general premise and why people play it. If your having a rubbish hole you can pick up your ball and it doesn't ruin your round, I get it. But for me I don't think it gives an accurate report on how well you played hole on hole.

For example I could score a couple of 10s, and that would be 100% my fault, I mis hit a drive, hit in the water, get stuck in a bunker or 3 putt on the green. Now under Stableford, those errors in my game that caused the 10 woudn't count, and I wouldn't have those errors to try and fix to improve my game.

They wouldn't have it and it kind of ruined my back 9 as I was flying on the front 9. I play by percentages, heavily into my statistics, because I believe it gives me an accurate report and at a glance view on how my game is progressing.

Wondered what people thought about that.

Also, there seemed to be very little etiquette during the round, no honour was given to the person who scored better in the previous hole, balls were being hit as soon as that person got to their ball first, regardless of position, and at one point two balls were flying in the air on the green from different directions at the same time.

I came away thinking that I hadn't played a proper round. They are in a golf society and are always asking me to come along, but I really don't think I want to. Golf is an individual sport mainly, and I take it really seriously. Have invested heavily in clubs and I don't want golf to be a social event for me.

Is this the state of golf? (sorry for the rant)

What do you want it to be then?

 

[Nick_Toye]

I want to become a much better golfer, not one who goes around a course gossiping about this and that, and just be about the crack.

Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm just different.

Look I don't mind having a laugh, I'm not a stick in the mud, but I want to take this game more seriously, and I will get more enjoyment out of getting birdies, coming under par, getting close to the pin etc.

 

[Alex1975]

You seem to have mixed in some partners habits and stableford into a melting pot. I also thought it was cute that you mentioned that there was no change of slow play as the group in front scarpered..... You have enough time to put the ball in the hole in any format. People do blob holes in stableford and still hole out for a number of reasons.

All that said, there are going to be days when you want to take the pressure off yourself and have some fun and on those days I suggest you do just enjoy playing the wonderful game.

 

[dufferman]

Playing out of turn etc just gets things going. There's nothing worse than a group who keep letting the person with the lowest score go first when the other 2/3 in the group are standing on the tee ready to go. In competition it's different, but for a friendly knock about its not hugely important.

When I'm playing with mates, we don't always stick to furthest from the hole when chipping / putting, nor do we wait for the lowest score from the last hole to tee off first if someone else is ready. The only time we do is if there's something on the line - whether it be a trophy or who gets the beers in!!

 

[Deleted member 1147]

1 - Now I get Stableford, I understand the general premise and why people play it. If your having a rubbish hole you can pick up your ball and it doesn't ruin your round, I get it. But for me I don't think it gives an accurate report on how well you played hole on hole.

2 - For example I could score a couple of 10s, and that would be 100% my fault, I mis hit a drive, hit in the water, get stuck in a bunker or 3 putt on the green. Now under Stableford, those errors in my game that caused the 10 woudn't count, and I wouldn't have those errors to try and fix to improve my game.

3 - They wouldn't have it and it kind of ruined my back 9 as I was flying on the front 9. I play by percentages, heavily into my statistics, because I believe it gives me an accurate report and at a glance view on how my game is progressing.

4 - Wondered what people thought about that.


5 - Also, there seemed to be very little etiquette during the round, no honour was given to the person who scored better in the previous hole, balls were being hit as soon as that person got to their ball first, regardless of position, and at one point two balls were flying in the air on the green from different directions at the same time.

6 - I came away thinking that I hadn't played a proper round. They are in a golf society and are always asking me to come along, but I really don't think I want to. Golf is an individual sport mainly, and I take it really seriously. Have invested heavily in clubs and I don't want golf to be a social event for me.

7 - Is this the state of golf? (sorry for the rant)

1 - Yes, it does give a good idea of your round. If you played badly you won't get many points.
2 - The errors are still your fault, as they have nothing to do with anyone else. The errors are still there & you do need to fix them, otherwise you would score more points.
3 - How does them playing stableford affect your back 9?
4 - Stableford is fine, it is how handicap scores are calculated by CONGU. I prefer medal play, but at the end of the day they are both golf & therefore enjoyable.
5 - Their etiquette has sod all to do with the choice of playing stableford, it seems at least they were trying not to be too slow.
6 - Golf is a very social sport, playing with new people is a big part of it. You can also learn a lot from playing with new people. I don't see how % come into the discussion so will leave that alone?
7 - Don't really follow, sorry.

I would say "enjoy your golf" but that seems unlikely, so I won't bother!

 

[Birchy]

Sounds like you need to learn to get yourself in the zone a bit better. There is loads of things that happen on a golf course that can throw you offline and if you can learn to ignore that you will become a better golfer with it.

It is hard though. Also I do think if you take it too seriously the scores will suffer. You need to be loose and relaxed to play your best golf imo.

 

[Nick_Toye]

1 - Yes, it does give a good idea of your round. If you played badly you won't get many points.
2 - The errors are still your fault, as they have nothing to do with anyone else. The errors are still there & you do need to fix them, otherwise you would score more points.
3 - How does them playing stableford affect your back 9?
4 - Stableford is fine, it is how handicap scores are calculated by CONGU. I prefer medal play, but at the end of the day they are both golf & therefore enjoyable.
5 - Their etiquette has sod all to do with the choice of playing stableford, it seems at least they were trying not to be too slow.
6 - Golf is a very social sport, playing with new people is a big part of it. You can also learn a lot from playing with new people. I don't see how % come into the discussion so will leave that alone?
7 - Don't really follow, sorry.

I would say "enjoy your golf" but that seems unlikely, so I won't bother!

Probably best if your going to be a bell to not bother replying. But thanks for the effort.

 

[patricks148]

sounds like the two you were playing with had the right idea, play quickly and enjoy the crack.

I played in the monthly medal on sat with two mates, we are all mid low handicapers at 4,5 and 6. we didn't worry about who's honour it was or who was fist to go etc. we all played rubbish, but still enjoyed the company and the game.

 

[Nick_Toye]

Sounds like you need to learn to get yourself in the zone a bit better. There is loads of things that happen on a golf course that can throw you offline and if you can learn to ignore that you will become a better golfer with it.

It is hard though. Also I do think if you take it too seriously the scores will suffer. You need to be loose and relaxed to play your best golf imo.

I'm not taking it too seriously, I'm not Mr Straight Laced, but at the moment I'm trying to improve my game, and therefore I can't ignore the holes where I get quadruple bogeys.

I know there are different facets to the game, and I appreciate that. I just prefer stroke play, but it seems I may well be in the minority.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I just prefer stroke play, but it seems I may well be in the minority.

Stableford is strokeplay!

 

[Nick_Toye]

sounds like the two you were playing with had the right idea, play quickly and enjoy the crack.

I played in the monthly medal on sat with two mates, we are all mid low handicapers at 4,5 and 6. we didn't worry about who's honour it was or who was fist to go etc. we all played rubbish, but still enjoyed the company and the game.

It was too rushed. It's 25 degrees out there, none of us had to be anywhere soon. I think there's a difference in enjoying the crack and people chatting during setup, and multiple balls flying around the green.

Maybe that's just me.

 

[Nick_Toye]

Stableford is strokeplay!

Sorry, I know. I meant I prefer to play where I count all my strokes.

 

[patricks148]

It was too rushed. It's 25 degrees out there, none of us had to be anywhere soon. I think there's a difference in enjoying the crack and people chatting during setup, and multiple balls flying around the green.

Maybe that's just me.

was this a comp out just a bounce game?

if its a bounce game.... i would say chill out

 

[Nick_Toye]

was this a comp out just a bounce game?

if its a bounce game.... i would say chill out

I was chilled. I was happy for them to play Stableford, I just wanted to count all my strokes. I didn't think I was causing any trouble. It was the constant harping on about how I was wrong, and nobody plays the way I play, and I should, no sorry, I needed to know how it works. I know how it works, it just riled me because they were chirping away when I was trying to play.

Ironically I beat them using the Stableford scoring system anyway.

I'm still new to the game and keen to develop my game. The people I was playing with are on the cusp of retirement, so its just a laugh for them. I am still young enough that I can get to a point where I really develop a decent game, and who knows what can happen. So I take my development seriously, and if I am paying over £30 for a round, I'm going to take that round seriously too. But it was just the manner on how I was badgered about it.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Sorry, I know. I meant I prefer to play where I count all my strokes.

Do you actually feel you gain anything though, by counting every shot, or would you be better to forget about the bad holes, move on and try to improve.

If you were playing a stableford competition off your 28 handicap, you would have 9 holes where you got 2 shots. Say one is a par 4, after the 7th shot none of the others count towards your handicap anyway, and as such in a stableford you can pick up, shake yourself off and head over to the next tee knowing that all you had lost was 2 points, which can be salvaged with a good hole later on.

My advice, don't get too technical, don't get too down on yourself after bad shots/holes, and enjoy it.

 

[Alex1975]

I was chilled. I was happy for them to play Stableford, I just wanted to count all my strokes. I didn't think I was causing any trouble. It was the constant harping on about how I was wrong, and nobody plays the way I play, and I should, no sorry, I needed to know how it works. I know how it works, it just riled me because they were chirping away when I was trying to play.

Ironically I beat them using the Stableford scoring system anyway.

I'm still new to the game and keen to develop my game. The people I was playing with are on the cusp of retirement, so its just a laugh for them. I am still young enough that I can get to a point where I really develop a decent game, and who knows what can happen. So I take my development seriously, and if I am paying over £30 for a round, I'm going to take that round seriously too. But it was just the manner on how I was badgered about it.

Nick, I think generally everyone understands what you are talking about even if they are not saying so.... Golf is massively important to me, its more important to me than any other hobby I have had, I don't need to tell you why just take it from me. Even with that being the case when I get on the course the number one objective is to enjoy myself. If I go home and have to ask myself questions about my performance later I will but on the day I will enjoy it, try my best but enjoy it.

Take it seriously for sure but not to your own detriment.

 

[Nick_Toye]

Do you actually feel you gain anything though, by counting every shot, or would you be better to forget about the bad holes, move on and try to improve.

If you were playing a stableford competition off your 28 handicap, you would have 9 holes where you got 2 shots. Say one is a par 4, after the 7th shot none of the others count towards your handicap anyway, and as such in a stableford you can pick up, shake yourself off and head over to the next tee knowing that all you had lost was 2 points, which can be salvaged with a good hole later on.

My advice, don't get too technical, don't get too down on yourself after bad shots/holes, and enjoy it.

I do actually feel I do gain though. We're all different I guess, but personally I feel every shot and can see how I am improving. When I first started I was hitting 120's and now I'm averaging 100 for the past 3 rounds, so I can definitely say its helping me improve my game.

A scenario is say I am in the bunker and if I don't get it up and down to score I can just walk away, but how is that improving my skills if I am not taking on the shot because it doesn't score a point? Every round I play is about me putting into practice what I get from lessons and on the range. I fear that if I just stick to stableford, I may miss out on practicing in real game situations.

 

[Nick_Toye]

Nick, I think generally everyone understands what you are talking about even if they are not saying so.... Golf is massively important to me, its more important to me than any other hobby I have had, I don't need to tell you why just take it from me. Even with that being the case when I get on the course the number one objective is to enjoy myself. If I go home and have to ask myself questions about my performance later I will but on the day I will enjoy it, try my best but enjoy it.

Take it seriously for sure but not to your own detriment.

But I do it enjoy it. My 9 iron today that I hit from 120 yards to 3 yards from the pin, I massively enjoyed. Nobody else did that, nobody there came close. I really enjoyed that moment, 2 years ago I wouldn't have got anywhere near that. So I do enjoy it. I enjoy seeing my score at the end of the 18 and that moment when I shot 99 for the first time, I was on cloud 9.

 

[fundy]

I do actually feel I do gain though. We're all different I guess, but personally I feel every shot and can see how I am improving. When I first started I was hitting 120's and now I'm averaging 100 for the past 3 rounds, so I can definitely say its helping me improve my game.

A scenario is say I am in the bunker and if I don't get it up and down to score I can just walk away, but how is that improving my skills if I am not taking on the shot because it doesn't score a point? Every round I play is about me putting into practice what I get from lessons and on the range. I fear that if I just stick to stableford, I may miss out on practicing in real game situations.

Do you think your playing partners are enjoying it as you chip across the green for 6, back across the other side for 7, on for 8 and then 3 putt for 11? Or are you only worried about your enjoyment?

For me in a bounce game once youre not scoring on a hole pick it up and move on. Play ready golf (rather than it being honour bound) albeit i agree 2 shouldnt play at the same time (maybe just happened once?)

We all have a slightly different take on this game but try and consider what works well for everyone imho