Tournament Golf

[JBones]

Who do you want to play with when you are in a tournament (handicap wise)? I tend to "lie" about my handicap (only when used for pairings) when signing up for a tournament, because I feel more comfortable playing with guys that are in the 7-12 range. I tend to relax more around guys like that, that I know are going to hit bad shots every once in a while, so it takes the pressure off of me trying to be "perfect".

 

I'm playing in my first tourney of the year this weekend (Tri-State Amateur - open to players in IN, IL, and KY) and they let you request pairings for the first round. My cousin and I requested to play with each other; it just hit me, before tee times came out yesterday, that because he is a +3 handicap, we were probably going to get stuck with good golfers. They put a former city champion in our group (he has finished in the top 10 for 14 consecutive years) and his 14 year old son, who is under a 10 handicap. I know I'm going to be relaxed, because I'm playing with my cousin, but underneath I'm going to be trying too hard. I may have to play with a hangover tomorrow, LOL.

 

Who do you like to play with, better, worse, or the same as you?

[Tyk]

I prefer to play with better players in general and especially in tournaments. For me this does a couple things. Takes the pressure off if I don't play as well as my partners because I'm not supposed to, they're better right? And it also motivates me and gives me a goal to strive for, to try to beat the best player in the group. This has the added advantage that if I play well it can rattle the better players a bit as they realize they are getting beaten by a higher handicap and start to press a bit.

[Flv02]

I prefer to play with better players in general and especially in tournaments. For me this does a couple things. Takes the pressure off if I don't play as well as my partners because I'm not supposed to, they're better right? And it also motivates me and gives me a goal to strive for, to try to beat the best player in the group. This has the added advantage that if I play well it can rattle the better players a bit as they realize they are getting beaten by a higher handicap and start to press a bit.

 

I feel the same way. Plus it becomes a learning experience if the person you are playing with is REALLY GOOD. I have had a couple of those and just watching him, how he shaped different shots and navigated around the golf course, helped me play better both during that round and in the long run.

[HighFade]

As long as they're not too fast or too slow, I'm good with anyone. But put a gun to my head and make me answer: I say someone who is equal to me (with 2-5 strokes of index). Just goes smoother. I LOVE to play against the bomber though. They usually out drive me by 30 yards every hole. Then I beat them in the green. So much fun!

[Matt Saternus]

The thing that I want, more than anything else, is to play with someone who I really want to beat. Not that I don't want to beat everyone, but playing against my father-in-law definitely takes my focus to another level.

 

To answer the question, though, I'd probably rather play with a better player.

[revkev]

I always prefer playing with better players particularly better players who hit the ball similar distances to me - I rarely pay attention to total score of my playing competitors but know what they're doing on a particular hole and shot so that I can compliment or comiserate with them. It doesn't bother me or my game to be paired with golfers who don't play as well as I do so long as they are experienced enough to not get in the way.

[RookieBlue7]

I don't care what their handicap is as long as they play fast. I hate slow play and prefer to play fast. As long as I can do that and not have a 4.5 hr or more round, I tend to not concern myself too much with what they're doing.

 

Did find out a scramble I was gonna play in next week ended up being a women's scramble. I wasn't planning that though.... Lol.

[Dave]

I prefer playing with guys near scratch. I figure I can follow them most of the day I'll end up all right.

[Kanoito]

Don't mind about their HCP as long as they are not douchebags and play fast. I hate 5+ hour rounds.

[RoverRick]

In all of the tournaments I have been in I have been the best player in my group. This is because I have been so up and down in my scoring it has kept my handicap high. In the tournaments, I have always played well, that and a higher handicap was a great combination. Last year, I finished no worse than third. This year, I only played one tournament, it is not fun with just 9 holes and the back up from that. We had a tournament yesterday but I did not play.

 

I thought I had gotten over my up and down scoring I had 10 rounds in a row that were between 70 and 75. I went out yesterday and played the last 4 holes at 2 under par to shoot an 89. I went 19 over par on 13 holes. Hope I can rebound today. It was so frustrating. I could truely sympathize with the pros who were sticking it up at Olymipic. Great drive, great approach, sorry putting. Sorry drive, punch out, great approach, good putting. Great putting, but for a double bogey. I could not put three good shots together until the 15th hole.

[JMiller]

I tend to like to play with good golfers, my handicap or better. I think that if they are better then me it helps elevate my focus, you see good shots and swings it gives you a good mental picture for your shot and swing.

 

I can't watch some players that have bad swings, it gives me a bad mental picture. I also can't watch some players that have a very fast swing in transition because I know I will start swinging too fast and too hard after awhile.

 

In the end I would prefer to play with good players that have an acceptable peace of play and a tempo that is like my own, but you can always adjust and learn to deal with the situation when it is not optimal/

[revkev]

While I do appreciate the play fast comments what can you do? In tournaments it's not just your group but also the groups around you that influence pace of play - like jmiller I've learned to adjust to it - It's a very dangerous thing to let pace of play frustrate you - the tendancy when play gets slow is to rush (your own shot that is.) Not good!

[JMiller]

I got into a situation yesterday where we had a little 9 hole members event, I was paired with two good golfers then a 3rd that well not so much a good golfer just silly long. He had a lot of Driver swings that were 350 only two or 3 of them stayed in play for the entire nine hole round. So 6 out of 9 holes he spent 5minutes search for his ball before he could hit and we were helping him in the search.

 

I was able to deal with that okay I guess, I had my own issues in my game swirling through my head to pay much attention to what he was doing. I ended up posting a score that would have been my most possible highest score reported for the 9 holes we played here lately, didn't play well. I have always long wondered if your playing partners tempo and mistakes and result in you playing poorly if you start thinking about what they are doing rather then your own game and playing your own strategy.

 

We saw that it is easier to drag a group lower with you when playing well, but can you also drag a group to shot higher scores when you are not playing good?

[Tyk]

Oh I definitely think it works both ways jmiller, I see it all the time, especially in match play but also in medal play. I think its tough to play well with guys that are stinking it up, I just have to get away from it and really try to get into my own little zone. That is part of why I prefer to walk, it not only lets me manage the pace of play a little better, it also lets me put some distance between my playing partners and I. Nothing worse than being trapped in a cart with someone that is taking you on a scenic tour of every hole!

 

I absolutely hate looking for golf balls, especially my own, but I'm not a fan of looking for someone else's either! I know it is part of the game and it is going to happen, and I will do my fair share and help in a search. What I hate is when I know a ball is gone, either OB or very unlikely to be found, and the player insists on a overly thorough search. I have a hard time taking part in that and will usually just make a cursory pass and go on about my business. Also, if I'm walking and I'm all the way across the fairway or nowhere near where you're looking, don't hold your breath waiting for me to assist. If you want my help, grab your cart and come get me!