How *DO you quantify a hacker?

[Paddy_2_Iron]

Pure score? The way the swing looks? Poor shots? Way they act on the course?

I'm just curious what you consider a hacker. I would like to think I'm not but with a HDCP of 20+ I feel that I might be (It really bothers me I am losing sleep over it). One of the biggest culprits is on my second shot on a par 5. It always seems like I worm burn one down the fairway into the rough. If I could master that shot I would be SOOOOOO much better.

Another on a par 5 is bad aiming and then I flush one right into a houses backyard or the woods. It pisses me off so bad I sometimes throw clubs.

Anyway... Back to the topic. What do you consider a hacker?

I would like to think I'm a notch above that since I can carry drives 240 and have a sweet putting stroke.

[Londoner]

And we're off.

[SBH9458]

Yep. Off and running.

[braincramp52]

Nope, ain't doin' it.

[Hawkeye77]

 

 

People who play golf are "golfers" to me.

 

[kmay__]

A hacker is someone who refuses to put in the time and effort to improve their game, then just bitches and complains and and blames their equipment, someone who asks for advice then doesn't follow it, ect ect.

[braincramp52]

LOCK IT UP!!!

[Dpavs]

Pretty good article on the term "Hacker" as it relates to golf here.

I think it is over used on GolfWRX and confused with "Duffer". Which, imo, are not the same things at all.

[caniac6]

I would say a 20+ that throws clubs is a hacker.

[scomac2002]

I didn't realize that so many are easily offended. It's just a word, but I suppose, in this day and age, words can take on a whole new life.

I tend to think that most of us are (hackers) from what I observe daily working at a golf course. The good players stand out. There aren't a lot of them. You know within three swings. The rest are pretty much the same to varying degrees. Perhaps duffer is a better description as it's a gentler term, that way you can reserve hacker for the really incompetent and/or those that are just plain rude and unpleasant to be around.

[8602081]

Lack of consistency..

He'll shoot 90 one day and then shoots 110 the other..

 

[Roody]

I think it's honestly a relative term. I'm a 7 index, and some scratch golfers might consider me a hacker. On the opposite side of the spectrum, a 20 cap might think I'm a pretty good stick.

I guess when I think about it, I've always considered it to be in direct correlation with one's golfing ability.

 

In the computer world however, a hacker is mostly considered a bad person. Though it can go both ways. Red hat vs black hat, etc.

[Ram6]

I am curious, are you worried that people will not want to play with you because you are a "hacker". Lots of poor golfers out there that I don't mind playing with as long as they play quickly and are courteous. There is nothing worse that watching someone take 4 practice swings, step away from the ball to get there line, take 3 more practice swings and the dribble the ball up the fairway over and over again.

There is always a round or two each year where most of us are "hackers". So I wouldn't worry about be a 20+ handicap. Just play quickly, like mentioned above, don't blame your equipment for every shot, and be friendly with the golfers your are playing with.

If you struggle with your second shot on par 5's, maybe stop going for the green and take an iron that will put your 3rd shot at a distance you are comfortable with (say 150yrds out).

You would be amazed what 3-4 lessons from a good instructor will do for you game.

[GoGoErky]

Bingo on the second shot. Play within your capabilities

[jpking17]

It's not that you are a bad golfer....it's that you are a bad SLOW golfer. -Me

[Ifelloffladder]

a hackers is someone is makes divots bigger than mine.

[James the Hogan Fan]

To me, a hacker is a player who is going to have multiple full whiffs, tops, or 20 yard drives a round. He plays but rarely practices, if he practices he does not improve, etc.

But one of my favorite rounds from last season was with two guys who could not hit the ball reliably more than once or twice out of 5 shots. Handicaps both about 45 (EGA). Wild left, wild right, tops, semi tops, swings and misses. But they knew it and they would jog to their ball, 1-2 practice waggles and go, looked for balls quickly. We got into a rhythm where Id hit first and head off and would forecaddie for them so finding balls was easier. Our threesome played 9 in 1:55, and this included letting some groups through.

Whether you are or are not a hacker to whomever, if you do little things like keeping the game moving and being a fun person to play with, how well you play matters little. Those two guys are the only guys all season who I kept in contact with after the round. The point is your on-course demeanor will define you to fellow players far more than the actual number of strokes you take.

[icegator337]

I find it to be a combination of everything mentioned. If you're a 20+ and throwing clubs then I probably consider you a hacker. You're not good enough to be throwing clubs yet. The biggest hack traits IMO are enormous slices, topped/worm burner irons, bladed chips, and being unable to get out of a green side bunker. Usually if a person does these things repeatedly in a round then they're a hack

[david.c.w]

My POV:

Hacker - Someone who expects to hit the ball 300 yards, hit every green, make 40 ft putts and shoot 80, but wont practice, doesn't respect the game and sucks at hitting the ball.

Duffer - Someone who loves golf, tries hard, concentrates, respects rules and fellow golfers, practices, loves the game, but just plain old sucks at hitting the ball.

[thecadman99]

I would say a golfer who puts on the pretense of being much more skilled than he (or she) is, while repeatedly demonstrating their lack of skills, and lack of willingness to learn.

All bad players are not hackers, some are just good players at the beginning of their journey.

[thecadman99]

Wow, I was typing mine and didn't read your response david- I think we are close on our definition!

[third-times-a-charm]

Classic paddy_2_iron thread

[Warrior42111]

Hacker - Someone who does not practice much or looks for the miracle one time solution instead of the slow progression proper changes every single time. Does not understand the basic principals of golf, therefore can not improve.

Duffer - Might not be the greatest player but is ok with his/her own game. Knows their game and doesn't get emotional (more than normal golfers ) Doesn't go looking for the miracle cure. Might not be able to produce results but understand the basic effects of swing and results.

 

Signed - A hacker turning into dufferism

[Hawkeye77]

It will be when he asks to have it locked up.

[rich_s2]

Have you met JonesScott? He was the only one on this website that wasn't a hacker.

[CasualLie]

Why bother with all of the nuances? Over the years I have embraced "hacker" so the term loosely refers to anyone who is not earning a living playing golf. If I cannot find your name on a money list on any tour, congratulations, you are a hacker. It doesn't mean I call you one directly, but it is not unusual to send/receive texts "want to hack today"? That is what we are doing, making some pars, mix in very few birdies but get 1 - 4 per round, and some "others". Those "others" are mainly because you can't win many bets if you are not playing stroke play. It's all about birdies, skins, greenies, rabbits, etc... you take some risks.

Nothing wrong with being a 20+ cap, you are just a fellow hacker getting more value for your green fee; your money is good. But don't play slow! That does not make you a hacker, it makes you effen slow and that's unacceptable. And don't be an (insert cavity term) either through a bad attitude, club throwing, or total lack of etiquette, respect for the game, or yourself. Again, it does not make you a hacker, you are not good enough to be a hacker, it makes you an (cavity term again).

[Liquid_A_45]

Someone who thinks they are naturally gifted with the driver because they hit 1 drive that dribbles out to 240 yards each round while slicing and hooking the rest OB and could probably walked into a golf store and be fleeced into spending a bunch of money on crappy clubs.

 

[Exactice808]

Wait!!! What about the guy that shoots 79 one day and 95 the next...... Score is irrelevant LOL!!!!!...... And this thread......... OP is perfect.... Paddy 2 iron..... love it

 

[Paddy_2_Iron]

I just got back from an EXCLUSIVE club, invite only unreal experience. I turned in a 106 but had 3 legit pars. 2 others were sort of legit, we moved to the tips and played the par 3 again and I parred that. Pretty cool, flushed that 4 iron 2019 BB with the F15 shaft. It was a really nice hit, lots of complements.

I apologized to the other golfers in my group, I was the worst. 70's and 80's and then me 106. But like I said I out drove them all most of the time. There is a good feeling about that.

First hole, absolutely flushed on 240 carry 20 yards role. BOMB. I'm 145 out freaking hook it into the bunker. Pin high and picked it clean 75 yards into the woods. This is the crap that kills me. I only topped 2 balls today, 12 other drives were really good. Some big time bombs and to be honest I am one of the longest out of a 12 man group. One not kidding 275 total distance, insanity. That was on a par 5 I was only 220 out or something like that.... Of course I hit a bunker with my 4 iron....

One of the guys had the new PXG's and he let me hit them on the back 9. WOW those are EASY to hit. My hook went away! Dead serious, I think those Hawkeyes shafts are noodles.

Anyway it was a lot fun. I kept my cool didn't throw a fit or toss clubs, kept it cool. Didn't drink only soft drinks. I feel like I am making a lot of strides but I want those PXG's 3's.

Even though I stink, I am improving, but my score isn't showing it. My driver is really coming along totally proud. Played with a club pro at one of the TPC's and some other really good guys. Even one player from Europe, very cool guy. Awesome ball striker, stayed down into the shot and would hammer greens from 180 out, it was great.

I REALLY need to practice the bunker and I need a new pitching wedge. That Mizuno 46 degree S18 is REALLY hard to hit. I put two in the water with it. That CANNOT happen! 56 and 60 are really good clubs, but that 46 has been naughty

[Bad9]

A hacker is someone who hits it 240 and thinks they’re a big hitter. And that 240 is 180 with a 60yd slice