When playing, do you prefer............

DelB

DelB

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....to play with someone who's a lower handicap than yourself, or a higher one?

The last couple of Medal rounds I've played in, I've been drawn with players who play off single figures and it seems to bring out the best in my game too. Could of course be the fact that my own game is improving anyway, but I seem to take confidence from playing alongside better players. For example, I was out last week on two separate occasions with a mate who plays off 14 and we played 9 holes without taking handicaps into account - I beat him on both occasions! :cool:

I'd just be interested to hear peoples views on this.

Cheers.
 
I definitely prefer playing the game with low handicappers- I always manage to raise my game and enjoy it much more as a result.

As for actual company handicap is irrelevant.
 
It seems that I may have inadvertently worded my initial question incorrectly. I've so far been lucky enough to really enjoy playing the game with everyone I've been drawn against, so most certainly wasn't trying to diss people with a higher handicap than me. All I meant was that rather than being intimidated by better players than me, it seems to bring out the best in my game too.
 
I enjoy playing with anyone who has a love for the game,although i do bump into a couple of 18-20 year olds off 2 and +2 and its great fun trying to keep up score with them

I wish!
 
spoooky - I was going to post this question too !

I personally do think that playing with lower handicaps not only inspires you, bit also makes you concentrate more.
So often we all perhaps tee up in a medal with our regular bunch of mixed abilities, and then find your rhythm put off perhaps by having to search for too many lost balls perhaps. or something else, or just the usual banter that can so easily break your concentration.

But then again, it can put too much pressure on your game if you get nervous playing with much better players.
Each to their own perhaps.
 
It doesn't really matter to me who i play with as i enjoy a game with whoever. Since joining my club i have probably played with a group from every section of the membership except juniors, and could not fault any of them.
 
The attitude of the golfer is more important to me but I do prefere playing with a lower player because it raises my game 9 times out of 10. I also like to watch good golf 1st hand so its normally a good day out!

The Guys I played with at Goswick were excellent company and also great golfers! I would play with them again anytime given half the chance!
 
First and foremost, I prefer good company, however I also belive there is something about playing with a lower handicapper that inspires you to "dial in" and raise your game, I always seen to play my best golf when I'm with a friend who plays off single figures.
 
I think its the company thats the important thing. Nothing worse than being drawn in a medal with a bore, someone who tries to be funny all the time, talks all the time or has nothing to say at all. Give me a threeball that has a laugh, doesn't take the whole thing too seriously but still tries their hardest and I don't care if they are off scratch or 28.

I have to say if I'm playing a medal I do struggle if I'm drawn with someone off single figures as I tend to get intimidated and try and match their scores on every hole which usually has dire consequences. I'm better in a stableford with a lower handicap as I know one bad hole isn't the end of the line
 
I think it is worse playing with a monster hitter, particularly if they don't have a particularly low handicap. Playing with a guy who out drives me on every hole, but has 25 shots to play with I find irritating, particularly in medal. I shouldn't, but I do. I spend my time thinking how can you naff it up from there?
 
Always like to play competitve rounds with lower handicappers, it just seems to bring out my better game (sometimes :D). Not that I don't mind playing with higher handicappers, its just that at junior level high often means very high, so it's difficult to create any rythm to your game.
 
Not bothered who I play but I do enjoy playing golfers of similar h/c or better as you have to play well to compete or not to look a t*t.
 
Two 28 h'cappers who are good company or two lads off scratch who are a**holes??? Give me the former any day of the week.
 
I prefere to play with a lower handicapper, not sure why, but I just seem to be able to focus a little better, and as a result play better. As long as their not realy big hitters (as I always try to keep up with them) I can raise my game.
 
In individual sports like golf or tennis, 'better' opposition will often make you raise your game - either because yu know yu are close to closing te=he gap, or because gap is so great that you feel the pressure is actually off. It can also be hard to maintain concentration against someone who''s game is poorer, or to keep your cool if you expect to win. As ever, mindset is all.
However in golf, good company is probably the main thing, as you're out there with them for 4 hours!

AliB
 
Lower handicaps for me , especially in a competition. You can pick up on their better (usually) rhythm and tempo. Also their short games tend to be solid and you can feed off that too.
I've played with some higher handicaps who say they dont like playing with lower h/caps because they feel 'intimidated' and try too hard to keep up and it spoils their game.
I guess it's how comfortable you are with your own game to not let who you're playing with influence how you play.
 
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