Have you ever been genuinely surprised by someone's game?

[gazav]

Had the game going and got invited to play in a member-guest tournament in ShoLo, AZ.  Well me and the member played pretty good and won some money and advanced to play a team that was made up of 2 guys in their late 60's or early 70's and they chose to play from the front tees and sacrifice a few handicap strokes.   

 

Well, I bet everyone knows where this is going???  We got our clocks cleaned.  

 

First time that had ever happened to me.  They hit every fairway and every green. 

 

Ridiculous....

 

[soccerjay]

played with a mutual friend last weekend and initally he said he played a little golf but turns out he was single handicap and much better than my friends and I, maybe just being humble to start with 

[Bronzed aussie]

A few times when playing with a low marker that proceeds to snap hook their first tee shot 

[hwwong]

Played with a pro at Torrey Pines once.  I don't even think he played anything but mini tours.  But regardless, he was introduced to me as a professional.  Anyways, swing didn't look special at all.  But his shots were just ended up better.  I think he shot 67 or 68 and had like 5 or 6 beers to bat.  I was astonished at how hard he swung and how straight everything went.  Add to that he was rolling in putts on aerated/sandy greens.  Humbling to say the least.

[EatingASalad301]

I surprise people. My clubs never get cleaned, no headcovers, no love. Bag is old, from days gone by. I walk easy, talk none. I compress an iron hard, I hit it 285, and spin my chip and pitch shots close. Being a 1 handicap, given my appearance, staggers people. I always figured if you're judging a man's game based on appearance alone, you're wasting your time.

[msg]

On 1/27/2021 at 12:21 PM, vbb said:

As the title states, have you ever been genuinely surprised by someone's game, good or bad, based upon your assumptions after looking at their equipment, their swing, or other? Discuss!

 

Yes, this is an invitation to explore our own pre-judgments, but not accusing anyone of being prejudiced. I also realize that even with the relative anonymity of the internet, many people would be uncomfortable sharing their stories...but I'm curious. What started me on this thought is watching a YouTube video and then seeing a bunch of comments like "no wayyyy is that guy an X handicap with THAT swing!" Made me think how many times I've watched people swing on the range or first tee and made assumptions about their abilities, only to see them post a score that I didn't think would happen. I'm not a trained professional in the golf swing, so it's definitely possible I have no idea what I'm even looking at. Thought maybe this thread would lead to some interesting stories.

 

Not me personally but with a buddy of mine who I invited to join our usual group. We had a one day tournament that day. One of our usual group players has an ugly half swing and has new set of Mizuno MP20 HMB's this season. He was judged by the get go by my friend and he was in for a rude awakening after the game. lol 

 

Mr Half Swing shot 7 over par I believe or maybe less that day. 

 

My friend after the game, admitted to me that he judged mr half swing with his swing and his clubs. He said that there was no way he was good with the swing he has and that all that gear was just a waste. Mr half swing also won the mini tournament we have set for ourselves using our handicaps. LOL 

 

Talk about rubbing it in.