What Makes a Good Playing Partner?

[flubberlange]

So my question - what makes a good playing partner?

 

This might be a an informative way for those that want to be a good playing partner. In the alternative, tis thread could also serve up some pretty good laughs.

 

For me, a nice balance of silence and conversation is always good. The last thing I want to hear about after I flub a ball is how good a shot you just hit.

[thug the bunny]

I think Michelle Wie and Sandra Gal would make great playing partners.

[Kdavidson]

For me, it's someone who can keep a good pace of play, doesn't take things too seriously, and doesn't offer unsolicited swing advice.

 

Now, to be completely contradictory.... I do sometimes enjoy playing with people who get all worked up over the game. It helps me realize how ridiculous it looks, and it helps me keep the game in perspective.

[bubbagumpshrimp]

-Someone that provides good conversation, yet knows that it's ok for there to be silence.

 

-Someone that isn't a hot head and I don't have to worry about making a scene. ex. I played with one guy last year that was a passive aggressive a55. It made playing with him awkward, because you never knew what would come out of his mouth if/when something came up (running into others on the course)...and he had that personality that ensured that something would come up.

 

-Someone that has a decent pace of play.

 

-Someone that provides entertainment. One of the guys in my regular group is a good guy. He's good to hang out with and has a very fluid/smooth swing. It's really something to watch. However, he has one issue...he tends to have a wicked slice. We played Potomac Shores last week (nice course) and he was having his usual slicing issues.

 

On multiple occasions...this usually calm and collected guy let out a LOUD "F**K!" For whatever reason, he always managed to get a nice echo going. The last time he did it, I about fell over laughing. All I could think of was the scene from the movie Mr. Deeds with the "Echo Room."

 

-Someone that doesn't feel the need to say "nice shot" even when you hit what was pretty much your $h1tt1est approach shot of the day. It goes back to the silence thing...it's ok to say absolutely nothing about someones shot.

[Ferguson]

Two things:

 

Sandra Gal

[thug the bunny]

Two things:

 

Sandra Gal

 

I walked up to a tee where she was waiting to hit during the pro-am of our local LPGA tourney. There were no other spectators, and she looks at me and says, 'Hello' and smiles. We exchanged pleasantries and I wished her a good tournament. Whew, I was quite proud of myself that I remembered how to speak under that kind of pressure..

[eddiebigeddie]

Two things:

 

Sandra Gal

I was thinking 3 things:

Sandra Gal

Brooke Henderson

Belen Mozo

[larrybud]

For me it's show up on time and be aware of your surroundings. Space cadets need not apply.

[thug the bunny]

For me it's show up on time and be aware of your surroundings. Space cadets need not apply.

 

Shoot larry, I can keep up and play ready golf, but I'm still a space cadet. Can I play in your 4 ball? I'll just annoy you occasionally with musings that come from nowhere. (So, is there an actual limit to the spacial dimension of the universe, in either the micro or macro?)

[nbg352]

For me it's show up on time and be aware of your surroundings. Space cadets need not apply.

 

Shoot larry, I can keep up and play ready golf, but I'm still a space cadet. Can I play in your 4 ball? I'll just annoy you occasionally with musings that come from nowhere. (So, is there an actual limit to the spacial dimension of the universe, in either the micro or macro?)

Exactly the kind of chatter that goes on in my group. Yessir!

[EntourageLife]

Someone that can go a hole or two without talking. Also, very few. practice swings, fewer the better!

[OM87]

I think Michelle Wie and Sandra Gal would make great playing partners.

 

you have fine taste, sir.

 

[Browns71213]

Enjoys a cigar during the round

 

Knows when to speak and knows when to shut up

 

Leaves his phone in the car, or at least in his bag on silent

 

Plays quickly/not a ball hawk

 

Wiling to offer a "nice shot" when warranted

 

Enjoys a fine microbrew after the round

[Igloo3]

Pace of play is super important. I don't care if you're a beginner as long as you know when to pick up or give up looking for your ball.

 

Also I hate people that aren't that good and get really mad when they hit a bad shot. Club throwers. You know who you are. It just makes things awkward.

[Ron Swanson]

Pace of play is super important. I don't care if you're a beginner as long as you know when to pick up or give up looking for your ball.

 

Also I hate people that aren't that good and get really mad when they hit a bad shot. Club throwers. You know who you are. It just makes things awkward.

 

My exact thoughts. Played with a friend of my usual playing partner a few weeks ago who did all of these things, my friend actually apologized after the round for it being so bad.

 

I think the main issue for the guy who isn't as good as he thinks he is, is playing with good players, my friends a 2 handicap and i'm around a 10....this guy was probably low 20's. Just as i don't expect to hit the same type of shots as my friend, he shouldn't be expecting to beat or even honestly compete with either of us straight up.

 

Definitely makes for an awkward round though!

[EastCoastGolfer]

For me, it's people who dont get too upset about the game. People who play for fun but are still decent players, and offer good advice every now and then. I find people like that are fun to play with. They help me keep my temper when they're able to laugh off a bad shot. For example, this one guy ive played with, calls his par when he hits the green. Dont worry about the putts, it's hit the green, its a par. Makes me laugh and it keeps it fun.

[wjdpar1]

Mr. Wilson

[disco111]

Good playing partner is the one knows the proper excuses............."play that over, i saw that bug bother you", "Oh you should get relief from that lie, that should be GUR", "Take a free drop, I'm pretty sure that squirrel took your ball"................

[arbitrage]

Pretty simple:

 

- Good conversation

- Good golf etiquette: Know when to be quiet, don't step on my line, remove cap and shake hands at end of round.

- Play ready golf

- Relatively quick pre-shot routine