The psychology of competitive golf - question for the mid to low h'cappers

[Deleted member 1147]

Papyt,
Whenever I read your posts one question comes to mind: "is he a windup merchant or does golf really not suit him?"

 

[papyt]

That's a pretty big generalisation. There might be some high capers with that attitude, but in my experience, most high handicappers are desperate to improve and are if anything a bit embarrassed to be hitting bad shots, rather than making a joke of it.

New, inexperienced players need to learn from watching better players, and that includes etiquette as well as technique. In your case they are learning that it's ok to ignore you playing partners' shots and only focus on your own game.

That is not spirit of the game that I know and love.

there is a time and place to learn that is what social golf is for NOT in the monthly medal,stableford is normally more relaxed and i have stated in the past if a player cant score on a hole i tell them to pick up as its not a practice round is it,and who says i should be teaching the high h/c player anything in the middle of a comp. as i originally stated social golf and competitive golf are two different beasts and should be treated differently social golf ,laugh, joke banter etc, competitive golf focus on your own game and don't let others bring you down.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

there is a time and place to learn that is what social golf is for NOT in the monthly medal,stableford is normally more relaxed and i have stated in the past if a player cant score on a hole i tell them to pick up as its not a practice round is it,and who says i should be teaching the high h/c player anything in the middle of a comp. as i originally stated social golf and competitive golf are two different beasts and should be treated differently social golf ,laugh, joke banter etc, competitive golf focus on your own game and don't let others bring you down.

I imagine you must struggle to find playing partners!

 

[papyt]

I imagine you must struggle to find playing partners!

why do say that is it because i say what most low h/c players think,and by the way i don't have trouble finding people to play with but to be honest i tend to play with other cat1 and 2 players.

 

[tallpaul]

"People won't think badly of you if you hit a bad shot, but they WILL judge you based on how you react to it."

I like that quote. Thank you for posting it. Any idea where it is from?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

why do say that is it because i say what most low h/c players think,and by the way i don't have trouble finding people to play with but to be honest i tend to play with other cat1 and 2 players.

I'm a low handicapper and I certainly don't object to playing with a high h/c. And by the sounds of it, when you took up the game you were already an accomplished player?

And what exactly do you do when stood in the middle of the fairway whilst your partner is looking for his ball? Surely it is better to assist and maybe find it quicker, less chance of losing your concentration that way.

If you are playing in a better ball comp and you have lost your ball and your partner is in the pooh, presumably you still stand in the middle of the fairway?

 

[papyt]

I'm a low handicapper and I certainly don't object to playing with a high h/c. And by the sounds of it, when you took up the game you were already an accomplished player?

And what exactly do you do when stood in the middle of the fairway whilst your partner is looking for his ball? Surely it is better to assist and maybe find it quicker, less chance of losing your concentration that way.

If you are playing in a better ball comp and you have lost your ball and your partner is in the pooh, presumably you still stand in the middle of the fairway?

that's your choice,i check yardage and picture the shot and keep my swing moving by practice swings etc,rather stupid question as we are playing as a team it is in both our interests to find missing ball,but better ball comps have a more social aspect to them as communication with your playing partner is paramount as you should well know.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

But isn't it also in both your best interests (and also everyone on the course behind you) to help your partner find his ball quickly and keep play moving? Less chance of losing your concentration that way.

 

[fundy]

Im a lowish handicapper and dont mind who I play with as long as they are a) not slow and b) personable. Give me a 28 hcapper anyday rather than someone who has far too much self importance that he wants to visualise his own swing 1000 times rather than helping others find their ball.

Have to say I hope one day youre on a great score on the last few holes and no one helps you find your ball and it costs you the comp you overvalue so dearly

 

[papyt]

But isn't it also in both your best interests (and also everyone on the course behind you) to help your partner find his ball quickly and keep play moving? Less chance of losing your concentration that way.

if you have read my reply i stated if it was in the rough and i had a line on it i would point were it had gone,my problem is going into the gorse bushes or the trees looking for a ball that after years of playing you know dam well is not going to be found and a provisional not being played when advised to,who is at fault!!!!

 

[papyt]

Papy,
Whenever I read your posts one question comes to mind: "is he a windup merchant or does golf really not suit him?"

sometimes i am tongue in cheek,but on some subjects i have strong opinions and i'm sorry if they offend you.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

papyt

I'm also going to take the view that your replies are windups because I don't believe that anyone could be as self-opinionated or as selfish as you are appearing to be.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

sometimes i am tongue in cheek,but on some subjects i have strong opinions and i'm sorry if they offend you.

Don't worry about offending me...
I just think that you could respond in a way that might help Tallpaul. Afterall he is one of those in the PYB challenge, so I doubt he will be one of those highhandicappers that you so readily criticise (laughing, joking, mucking about and not caring about his paying partners). In fact it appears he is too bothered about his playing partners.

 

[papyt]

papy

I'm also going to take the view that your replies are windups because I don't believe that anyone could be as self-opinionated or as selfish as you are appearing to be.

so i have an opinion that you don't like and is probably not pc to some but it is my opinion,do you think i'm the only one with these opinions is so your very naive.

 

[Region3]

I like that quote. Thank you for posting it. Any idea where it is from?

It's from Zen Golf.

Originally said to a teaching pro who was worried on the 1st tee (with people watching) he would hit a bad shot and no-one would want a lesson from him.

 

[papyt]

If you are playing against a high handicap opponent, what is your perception of their game?

As an example, in a medal, two of you are consistent golfers and hit most FIR and GIR but the third misses most fairways and greens, how does it affect you?

As a high handicapper with the challenge of breaking 100 in competitive play, I find it somewhat intimidating playing with much better, consistent golfers. My problem is not that I fear them beating me, more that I become very conscious of my own shortcomings. Having lost the previous hole i'm last to tee off. By hitting the 'worst' tee shot I'm first to play my second shot, by missing the greens I'm last to chip on. By having erratic chipping, I'm usually the last to hole out. The cumulative effect of this is that I feel constantly watched; My opponents are always waiting for me and I'm holding them up. This puts added pressure on me and I start to rush shots, thus making more mistakes and taking more shots, thereby creating a viscous circle.

I'm not looking for advice on how to cope in the situation. Just honest feedback from better golfers who have been in this situation.

Many thanks,

Paul

my advice would be ,don't concentrate on what they are doing,your not going to outdrive them or hit the greens like them or be puting for birdies as often than them BUT that's them concentrate on what your doing and don't try to out play them because you will come unstuck and have a dismal day,if anything look at how they play the hole and learn course management this is the difference to a good score and a bad one. good luck.

 

[bluetoon]

Papyt,

Thank god you are not a member at my course.

 

[papyt]

Papy,

Thank god you are not a member at my course.

why is that because i tell the truth,not everyone who plays golf is sweetness and light,when i play in comps. i play to finish as high as possible other wise why enter or do you do it a different way in scotland.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

papyt

No you're not the only one with those opinions.....but fortunately you are in a VERY small minority.

As bluetoon says, thank god you are not a member at my club.

 

[chrisd]

why do say that is it because i say what most low h/c players think,and by the way i don't have trouble finding people to play with but to be honest i tend to play with other cat1 and 2 players.

I play with a fair few lower handicappers and have yet to do so with any that have purported to act like you say!

Your postings on this subject, quite honestly astound me and I read into what you say as that "It's all about you" It must be a barrel of fun to be out in a comp with you!