Finding “players”

[WestCoastGolf]

This may come across as vain, and that is not my intention. I enjoy playing golf with anyone, however sometimes I would like more of a challenge. 
 

With that said..Other than coming to the forums, how would you go about finding other “players” to play with? A local men’s club, group, or course that has guys (or gals) in the single digit handicap that like to go out and play competitively? Even if it’s just one or two other people.
 

The men’s club that I am apart of is mostly older gentlemen, and most all of them are double digit handicap. Again, I don’t have a problem with this. I would just like to be able to get with a group of other single digit handicappers to challenge myself a little more sometimes.

[Abh159]

If you're a member at a private club it should be easy. Just ask the pro and he can either introduce you to people or at give you an idea of who you should introduce yourself to. If you're not at a private club I'd suggest entering some of your local/city or state golf association events and meeting people that way. 

 

Of course when I hear the term "player" I assume you're talking about people that are a 2-3 handicap or better. Personally, I wouldn't consider someone who is an 8 handicap a "player", but that's just me. 

[Pepperturbo]

21 hours ago, WestCoastGolf said:

The men’s club that I am apart of is mostly older gentlemen, and most all of them are double digit handicap. Again, I don’t have a problem with this. I would just like to be able to get with a group of other single digit handicappers to challenge myself a little more sometimes.

Pretty difficult to find.  In my vicinity, I know of only a few golf courses that used to have a men's clubs for single digit players, not sure if they even exists, since Covid.  Men's clubs in areas I frequent are filled with older men with mid-higher indexes.  And not many pvt clubs field match teams, but some still do. 

 

Circumstances have prevented me from rejoining a pvt club and enjoying team play.  Thus, I focus more at playing against the golf course to keep my competitive juices flowing.  A contributing factor behind me preferring to play more difficult courses.  My closest friends are mid-to higher cap and I won't play games with them, especially on harder tracks, partly cause of my competitive nature, but that's another subject.

Edited November 2, 2021 by Pepperturbo
errors

[uitar9]

I'm not a "player" but did join a mens night at a local and through them met a bunch of guys of all abilities. They had a few +2's. Awesome to watch actually (I was in the net stableford division, always)

 

The local pro would match you up at most any club you approach. 

[USCdrifter]

roll up to your local 19th hole, slam down a stack of bills on the bar and ask who wants to play.  

[huskydawg]

Flash enough money and the players will find you! 

[OnTheBag]

Before I got old, I had my handicap down near scratch.  At that time, a local country club pro was looking for "players" as you call them, that he could send out with his mid-handicap members to improve their game.  I was fortunate enough to get a "player's pass" membership to a country club that I could never afford to join.  He found me playing in a weekly skins game and then at a member-guest playing in the Championship Flight.

 

Moral of that story, play in some local skins games and tournaments.  If you are a "player", the others will seek you out.  You have to prove your metal first in competition, when money is on the line.

[2bGood]

If you are near a major centre you should be able to track down a regular tournament or two. Enter those and you should find lots of scratch guys at them looking to play money games outside the event. You can even pursue the US Open qualifier in your area if you are a "player" - https://www.usopen.com/qualifying/local.html

You will meet a bunch of really good golfers in your area (along with some delusional ones).

 

I can't hang with those guys anymore as the + cappers run rings around me.

 

[Fairway14]

17 hours ago, WestCoastGolf said:

This may come across as vain, and that is not my intention. I enjoy playing golf with anyone, however sometimes I would like more of a challenge. 
 

With that said..Other than coming to the forums, how would you go about finding other “players” to play with? A local men’s club, group, or course that has guys (or gals) in the single digit handicap that like to go out and play competitively? Even if it’s just one or two other people.
 

The men’s club that I am apart of is mostly older gentlemen, and most all of them are double digit handicap. Again, I don’t have a problem with this. I would just like to be able to get with a group of other single digit handicappers to challenge myself a little more sometimes.

 

Enter your local city, county , State scratch play amateur tournaments. You will be paired with guys shooting par golf and can start some friendships with them.

[WestCoastGolf]

17 hours ago, Abh159 said:

If you're a member at a private club it should be easy. Just ask the pro and he can either introduce you to people or at give you an idea of who you should introduce yourself to. If you're not at a private club I'd suggest entering some of your local/city or state golf association events and meeting people that way. 

 

Of course when I hear the term "player" I assume you're talking about people that are a 2-3 handicap or better. Personally, I wouldn't consider someone who is an 8 handicap a "player", but that's just me. 

I know it is a lot easier to find a game or two at a private club. If only that were an affordable option for a military member.

 

That is exactly what I am talking about when I say player. And while I agree that an 8 handicap has little to no business playing regularly with those better players, I also believe that one has to challenge themselves by playing with better players sometimes.

10 hours ago, JCN said:

Moral of that story, play in some local skins games and tournaments.  If you are a "player", the others will seek you out.  You have to prove your metal first in competition, when money is on the line.

I guess that is part of my question. How can I go about finding some local skins games, or is that more of a mens club type of find?

[bladestriker]

Call the local area clubs and ask about area skins games. There are quite a few in the Sacramento area that move courses through the week.

[Abh159]

34 minutes ago, WestCoastGolf said:

I know it is a lot easier to find a game or two at a private club. If only that were an affordable option for a military member.

 

That is exactly what I am talking about when I say player. And while I agree that an 8 handicap has little to no business playing regularly with those better players, I also believe that one has to challenge themselves by playing with better players sometimes.

 

Yes it's infinitely easier at a private club, but that isn't necessarily a requirement. If you have somewhere you play regularly then you can ask the pro at that course. If you don't have anywhere you play regularly and you hop around week to week then that is why I mentioned entering competitions.

 

If you're near a large metro area I'm sure there is a city/metro golf association that puts on tournaments. Play in a few of those and if you are a "player" like you indicate then you should get paired up with golfers of the same skill level. 

 

Also, FWIW there are a number of clubs near me that offer discounted memberships for current/former military members. Don't get me wrong it's still expensive (it is a private club after all), but it could help with the affordability factor if joining a club is something you are interested in. 

[Pepperturbo]

3 hours ago, WestCoastGolf said:

I guess that is part of my question. How can I go about finding some local skins games, or is that more of a mens club type of find?

Check with local pros, but don't be loud about it.  That's how I find skins games.  Most of the guys that play in them are good golfers, some are fantastic, so keep an eye on your wallet.  Bring $$$$  Good luck

[2bGood]

On 11/2/2021 at 6:01 AM, WestCoastGolf said:

I guess that is part of my question. How can I go about finding some local skins games, or is that more of a mens club type of find?

In my experience, the younger associate Pros at courses tend to play in them, so ask them. 

 

If the club pro are involved it going to likely be a mid week game.

Edited November 3, 2021 by 2bGood

[OnTheBag]

3 hours ago, 2bGood said:

In my experience, the younger associate Pros at course tend to play in them, so ask them. 

 

If the club pro are involved it going to likely be a mid week game.

This is great advice.  Most of the weeknight skins I've played in were organized by the associate pro.  The best way to find them is to get their name from the course's website then go to the pro shop and ask for them or leave your number.  

[KBong]

On 11/1/2021 at 11:55 AM, WestCoastGolf said:

This may come across as vain, and that is not my intention. I enjoy playing golf with anyone, however sometimes I would like more of a challenge. 
 

What city do you live in so WRX members here who live in the same city can provide specifics/details where you can find 'players' to golf with.

[2bGood]

56 minutes ago, KBong said:

What city do you live in so WRX members here who live in the same city can provide specifics/details where you can find 'players' to golf with.

 

Edited November 3, 2021 by 2bGood

[WestCoastGolf]

15 hours ago, KBong said:

What city do you live in so WRX members here who live in the same city can provide specifics/details where you can find 'players' to golf with.

This could be a mistake on my part…Sunny San Diego 

[KBong]

5 hours ago, WestCoastGolf said:

This could be a mistake on my part…Sunny San Diego 

SD is a large city...are there no local golf tours?

[jholz]

Pretty much every major metropolitan area is going to have skins games going on. There are some that will play the same course every week, others that will move around.

 

Outside of pros and asking at the course. hanging around a busy, popular muni on Saturday mornings is always a good bet.

[KingstonGolfer]

Private courses seems like better players. Or make friends in tournament play

[nitram]

It's been a few months, interested in what the OP came up with.

[WestCoastGolf]

On 2/20/2022 at 7:30 AM, nitram said:

It's been a few months, interested in what the OP came up with.

The OP came up with I am not a good golfer, and require more skill before I continue to try and play this game with better players than me.

[LUMA]

We are allusive, play during slow times, evenings, Tuesdays a 2pm when we can squeeze in as a single somehow, Wednesdays at 7pm. We are loners, rebels.

 

Seriously tho, check in with the pro, find local events to meet better players, also talk to employees at courses. Ive worked at quite a few courses in my day and there is always a hand full of guys/gals who can play and always end up getting together for rounds.