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

chris said:
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!
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social golf is for fun,why are you astounded ask most low h/c players if there are two groups you can play with in a comp on sat. one is 2 players both cat1 the other a new member just started on 26 and the other on 22 and its a stroke play qualifier,honestly which group do you think they would play with.
 
papyt said:
social golf is for fun,why are you astounded ask most low h/c players if there are two groups you can play with in a comp on sat. one is 2 players both cat1 the other a new member just started on 26 and the other on 22 and its a stroke play qualifier,honestly which group do you think they would play with.
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I'd chose the group with the nicest guys in it, that way I'm more likely to be relaxed and therefore play my best golf.

I've spoken to so many people that have given up playing scratch opens because they are fed up being paired with young kids that are so far up their own a**es that they don't enjoy spending two rounds in their company.

Wonder if it is you they are referring to?
 
If youre in the group with the cat 1 players then personally Id rather play with the 22 and 26 hcappers. Im a big fan of getting to know as many members as possible so would happily play with the new member irrelevant of his hcap
 
drive4show said:
I'd chose the group with the nicest guys in it, that way I'm more likely to be relaxed and therefore play my best golf.

I've spoken to so many people that have given up playing scratch opens because they are fed up being paired with young kids that are so far up their own a**es that they don't enjoy spending two rounds in their company.

Wonder if it is you they are referring to?
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thanks for the compliment im 54.
 
papyt said:
social golf is for fun,why are you astounded ask most low h/c players if there are two groups you can play with in a comp on sat. one is 2 players both cat1 the other a new member just started on 26 and the other on 22 and its a stroke play qualifier,honestly which group do you think they would play with.
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:blah::blah:

Except this is not a discussion about who you would prefer to play with, it's about being intimidated by players that are not as good as you. This you are clearly very good at.

I get intimidated by scratch golfers all day long, and i can tell you this: they have never not help look for a ball in the rough or gave words of encouragement when a round looks like it may unravel.
 
papyt

just as a matter of interest, what is your handicap?
 
papyt said:
social golf is for fun,why are you astounded ask most low h/c players if there are two groups you can play with in a comp on sat. one is 2 players both cat1 the other a new member just started on 26 and the other on 22 and its a stroke play qualifier,honestly which group do you think they would play with.
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It's about attitude my friend. Comments like "I tell them to pick up when they cant score, it's not a practice round" and saying that you wouldn't help them to search in the deep stuff, show that you are someone that most here wouldn't want to play with and that is being confirmed by other postings. You clearly are one of those low handicappers who think it's "all about me" and I can easily see how you would polarise opinion.

I take my scoring seriously in competitions but if I had to treat my fellow competitors the way you suggest I would rather not play the game at all. I have played with beginners and scratch golfers and happy to be with either as neither impact on my golf - you seem just a little precious my friend!
 
cheers Greg.

Hardly the sort of handicap that never misses a fairway then! Same standard as me and i miss plenty, often have to rely on playing partners helping me find my ball :-(
 
drive4show said:
cheers Greg.

Hardly the sort of handicap that never misses a fairway then! Same standard as me and i miss plenty, often have to rely on playing partners helping me find my ball :-(
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I spend plenty of time looking for mine and "lower handicap" players balls.
 
Gil_Emott said:
I spend plenty of time looking for mine and "lower handicap" players balls.
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Strange that Papyt says what he does about looking for balls as they were even searching long and hard at Augusta and thats with a fair share of the 40,000 crowd looking too!!
 
It's fair to say I'm reassured that the majority of those I'll encounter in competition really aren't as worried about how I'm playing as I am.

Thanks again for all the replies. It's been very usefull to read all the different opinions you hold.

Cheers,

Paul
 
Guys just because ye dont agree with papyt (niether do i by the way) he is giving an honest opinion of his feelings , he usualy plays with people of the same standard & probably same ideas as himself , its his membership , his comp fee & his handicap, so once he plays within the rules it is quiet justified.. ok maybe he might not be fun to play with but he doesnt impose his beliefs on anyone else either ..

I for one dont mind what handicap golfer im paired with il play my own game , the only people who bug me are the ones who talk at shot time or are fluteing around when its time to play .. if your a bad golfer il play with you , if your bad company or have bad attitude i wont,well not a second time .. i will also tell you that i wont be playing with you again and why ..
 
theres a thing i find is new golfers have to learn to mark a ball when they hit one in the rough, trees etc. it takes a bit of time to learn this skill even if they are unaware of even doing it. ive been playing for a few years and its just natural now. i see them walk to places nowhere near where their ball went in. im over showing them straight away. it just comes with experiance. as soon as it goes in the ***, i pick a tree, bush, flower, post whatever it is to mark where its gone it.
 
All things are relative, to a 20 handicapper 10 seems low but to a scratch player its high. Row your own boat, IMO very few people are actually bothered about their opponents play, I find it does not affect my game, conversely by playing with better golfers my game generally improves.
 
tallpaul said:
It's fair to say I'm reassured that the majority of those I'll encounter in competition really aren't as worried about how I'm playing as I am.

Thanks again for all the replies. It's been very usefull to read all the different opinions you hold.

Cheers,

Paul
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With regards to your original question Paul, even papyt's responses - although probably not what you wanted to hear - show that no-one is paying much attention to how you're playing, which should take some pressure off.
 
Bladeplayer

I understand your sentiments but what papyt is advocating isn't really within the spirit of the game. OK, he's not breaking any rules but he is also not endearing himself to his playing partners or fellow members. Golf clubs are relatively small organisations, word and reputations spread quickly. There is a guy at my club who is now on his FOURTH club in the area because he basically acts in the manner that papyt advocates. He will be leaving soon because he is finding it harder and harder to get a game.
 
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