That guy or folks you LIKE playing a round with.

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

So, we've all seen the people we hate playing a round with thread.... So how about a people you LIKE playing a round with?

Today I enjoyed a round after work where two didn't show up but the guy I ended up getting paired with was a lot better than I was. Real nice guy and quite understanding of my place on the course having started back up this year.

I felt a lot more at ease and grounded once I settled in and I felt like I played better golf. Shaved 9 strokes off. Got my first birdie of the year, 4 pars, 2 bogeys and a chip in to save one of those bogies. Putting was better, too.

 

I got into trouble with the driver really bad today (it was just a bad day LOL). Had I not, I probably would have shot close to bogey golf...... But I didn't.

Irons and hybrids were way better and I had a lot more pure strikes. So yeah, I thought I'd not enjoy playing with someone who was a lot better, but we were playing at a 2.5hr pace until we caught up to the guys in front of us. Still played 3hrs.

Sorry for the novel.... Do you folks find that you play better around certain types of folks? (Friend or stranger)

[mshills]

I’ve got a work and family schedule that can be unpredictable, so I have to get in where I fit in, and play a lot of golf as a single on short notice.

 

I have made friends over the years being paired up, and I am certain that nearly every time it’s been a great experience. Over many years of playing golf there are only a handful of times I’ve met someone I would not want to play with again. 
 

Harvey Penick was right. If you play golf, you are my friend. 

[Kai Slater]

I tend to enjoy rounds of golf with folks that don't take themselves or their games too seriously.  It's the super-serious guy that I don't care to play with.  But, good player or bad player, or wherever in between, as long as we have good conversation, can laugh at our bad shots, and just enjoy being out there, I'm pretty much able to enjoy the round with most anyone.

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

19 minutes ago, Kai Slater said:

I tend to enjoy rounds of golf with folks that don't take themselves or their games too seriously.  It's the super-serious guy that I don't care to play with.  But, good player or bad player, or wherever in between, as long as we have good conversation, can laugh at our bad shots, and just enjoy being out there, I'm pretty much able to enjoy the round with most anyone.

 

Yeah, that's kind of the way I look at it. We all get disappointed with a string of bad shots, but I try to limit my "serious" approach to the point in which I'm taking the shot. If it is a bad one, it's frustrating when they string along, but it's still just a game I play for fun. 😄

 

 

[596]

My son.

 

Or

 

Me, myself and I.  Love  playing alone. 

 

 

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

Fall through Spring is great for that. I used to play with my dad all the time; but he doesn't really play anymore. He says he's gonna take me out for a round on my birthday but I wonder if he can swing a club anymore. LOL

I might have to be giving him lessons LOL.

[L3fty]

I have couple of friends who are pretty decent. When I play with them, I'm mentally prepared to play and tend to shoot better. Better focus, better score and I enjoy that. 

I also have friends who are not as good. And I have just as much fun with them smoking and joking, I don't really care about my score and I'm just out there to have a good time. 

 

Quick story, met a lad from England while playing the Bethpage Black course. Had small conversations here and there and just a good guy. It was a long and tough day and I took out my flask and carefully asked if he wanted some bourbon. He said "You should've asked me after that 4th hole!" We went to the 19th hole afterwards where I met his wife (who was also great) and had all the bourbon they had at the bar because he wanted to drink something American. Murica!

[Nard_S]

 

Old guys who walk, stay off senior tees.are always solid. 

[slytown]

My wife, almost exclusively. Its more fun when I can see her hit a good shot or improve.

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

12 minutes ago, slytown said:

My wife, almost exclusively. Its more fun when I can see her hit a good shot or improve.

I actually thought about trying to get my wife into golf, but I don't think she'd like it... I pitched it a few weeks ago hehe

 

She'll ride along in the offseason when it is cooler, though. That's usually fun, except for when she laughs at my bad shots LOL

[benstarks]

I play as a single a lot and always enjoy getting paired with a better player. Agree that it help to focus and get in "golf mode" so to speak. Also always a good visual to see someone striking it well right next to you (and usually before you off the tee lol).

[slytown]

23 minutes ago, Mikey_HACKilroy said:

I actually thought about trying to get my wife into golf, but I don't think she'd like it... I pitched it a few weeks ago hehe

 

She'll ride along in the offseason when it is cooler, though. That's usually fun, except for when she laughs at my bad shots LOL

 

That's so sad. My wife and I feel bad when we see a guy with his wife or gf just watching him and not participating. Take her to a putting course or something simple. Get her involved.

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

😄 I try, but she's not really that interested; at least not yet. Though I'll admit she didn't totally shut down the idea.

In all honesty, I like it because she does provide encouragement when I'm not striking it well. She laughed a few times when I hit a shot into a tree.... It lightened the mood LOL

[MelloYello]

The players I like best are the ones who magically combine being pretty good with being really laid back and casual. 

 

I like the guys who seem like they're out there just to have fun but yet they're totally competent players who continually hit quality shots.

 

It's especially good if their strengths are opposite mine. Since I hit it a decent ways, I most like when I get to play with a person who leans a little bit more on their putting skill. That inspires me. 

 

If the person is too serious, that's not fun. If the person isn't good enough it rubs off and everyone in the group starts hitting poor shots. You really want to find that magic combination of someone being fun and casual while still throwing up a surprisingly good score at the end.  

 

.

Edited August 10, 2023 by MelloYello

[Kai Slater]

6 minutes ago, MelloYello said:

The players I like best are the ones who magically combine being pretty good with being really laid back and casual. 

 

I like the guys who seem like they're out there just to have fun but yet they're totally competent players who continually hit quality shots.

 

It's especially good if their strengths are opposite mine. Since I hit it a decent ways, I most like when I get to play with a person who leans a little bit more on their putting skill. That inspires me. 

 

If the person is too serious, that's not fun. If the person isn't good enough it rubs off and everyone in the group starts hitting poor shots. You really want to find that magic combination of someone being fun and casual while still throwing up a surprisingly good score at the end.  

 

.

Way back when I was a younger player with fewer injuries, I used to get really mad at myself and be really hard on myself when I hit a bad shot; playing with laid-back guys kind of kept me in check and made me realize that I wasn't as good as I thought I was and that I wasn't good enough to get mad at myself.  One thing I try to be aware of is whether or not I am a pleasant person to be with during a round of golf.  I certainly don't want to be "that guy" as we discussed in the other thread about playing with those that we can't stand to be around.

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

It's funny, though, because becoming a better golfer usually means letting go of the anger at bad shots.... hehe

[JohnnyCashForever]

5 minutes ago, Mikey_HACKilroy said:

It's funny, though, because becoming a better golfer usually means letting go of the anger at bad shots.... hehe

 

We let go anger,

But not the disappointment.

It lingers always.

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

There really is no way to not be disappointed in a bad shot. 🙂

It's just more fun when you play with people who are at peace with their games whether they're good or bad. In fact, yesterday I hit a lot of quality shots but should have warmed up the driver. Playing with a legit mid/lo handicapper put me at greater ease. I recovered from several terrible lies that otherwise would have been death for me a week ago.

Saw real improvements; which kind of inspired the thread here..... 😄

[Murphy76]

 

As a general rule, the older the guy (or woman) is, the more fun I have.  

 

I've had the best times with older guys.  They are at a point in life where they know their game, know etiquette,  and are fun to be around.  They don't crush the ball, but are wicked around the greens. 

 

Plus, I get to hear some of the best life advice and funniest stories ever told.  

 

Choice between a 25 year old 3 HCP and a 70 year old with a 15 HCP,   I chose the 70 every time, hands down.

 

 

 

 

[ANimz]

I played a kid that was not very good and had a gambling problem last week.  So that was pretty fun.  I can play with anyone though, but I really enjoy playing with really good players.  Just to watch to see how they play.  Course management, how they set up, swing patterns...stuff like that.  

[NoTalentLefty]

One who doesn’t go into shot to shot details on how he played the last hole , which I saw in all its glory or badness but I digress.

One who gets it out after his bad shots with one word and it’s over. Watches where he walks on the greens. Laughs and tells joke but not at the cost of the pace of play. Never mentions what he is shooting or what I’m shooting. And never speaks about his past sex life. The crazy thing is I got a guy in our group that talks about the women he’s been with and he’s almost 80. Glory Days….

[Maroon_19]

I'm lucky enough to have two different sets of golf buddies and a little brother that has the swing of Freddy and a pretty good game to boot.  All of my buddies are as fun away from the course as they are on the course.  The game is important but we don't take it too seriously.  Pace of play is always ready golf unless we are playing Match Play.  Music, if played, is always low and the playlist is always strong and different.  Nobody gets upset with a bad shot.  Nobody drinks to excess.  Everybody plays by the rules without question and pays up when the round is over with no complaints.

 

The big guy in the blue shirt in the first picture was my best friend.  We played golf together for over 25 years.  Sadly, he passed from pancreatic cancer last year.  I don't step onto a course without saying a word to Tony.  

 

[kmay__]

My old man is my favorite person to play with but he plays twice a week so its hard for us to get out together often. Other than that I only have 1 pal who plays and its become increasingly less enjoyable to play with him... so really its the strangers who I encounter who I enjoy playing with.

 

I see big groups of 8-10 guys at league night having a blast and I realize I've got no friends lol 

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

Ya... In fact I haven't played golf with my dad in years and he's kind of at the point where going back to it on the regular isn't practical anymore; so that's sad. Not that he's hobbling around... LOL

He and I played a ton of golf from the 90s up through around 2016 or so. I get to play a round with him later this month, but I told him "I'm going to give you some lessons or I'm going to recommend you use your putter, because that's what you're gonna be doing anyways...!"

LOL...

Of course I was teasing.... 😄

[smashdn]

Anybody who has enough game to sort of keep the pace moving.  And anyone with the wherewithal to know how to make things more efficient out there.  Things like taking your putter and a few wedges for a shot.  Guys that are just "in the flow" of the game.  I am not a jack-rabbit out there but I loathe holding anyone up behind me.

 

I don't talk a lot when I play so don't really want to be chatting all the time.  I am not socially awkward but also not overly social either.  My circle of friends is small.

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

2 hours ago, Maroon_19 said:

 

That looks like a lovely course, by the way. Also, sorry to hear about your friend and it is good that you keep his memory with you the way that you do.

Memories make us rich.

[mark m]

I am a competitive type and have played well in all conditions, but I definitely prefer good company and good conditions over the more difficult situations - high winds, rain, bad company, etc - which are more endured than enjoyed. I take satisfaction from playing well in a tough spot, but it’s something I don’t want on the steady.

 

I have played most of my non-tournament rounds with 2 different groups at my course (both around 30 players) over 40 years (since 18 yrs old). Here are the elements that I like and which produces a good time:

 

1. We have an agreement on a game for every round. ($20 = skins, proximities, award for best net score, etc.) And we agree to play by the rules of golf.

2. We also have games within each foursome; scotch, Nassau, etc. Some guys also have individual bets with other players. 

3. Both groups have real characters and the laughter is plentiful. That is a key.  Especially around the putting green before play as the groups are formed and so on. And more fun in the clubhouse after play. It’s a good time. 

4. In tournaments or comps against another club, most of the time the other guys are terrific. But we all have had trying experiences as well. I’d say the comps are about 90% positive experience.

 

If you like to compete, just keep putting yourself into the situation and eventually you should break through.

 

Edited August 12, 2023 by mark m

[cbrwn425]

I most often book as a single so I’ve played with all levels of golfers and all sorts of personalities. I find it usually doesn’t matter whether they are better, around the same or worse, as long as they are out there to have a good time we’ll get along just fine. Played a few rounds recently with a guy who has accepted where his game is and just says let’s hit it, find it and hit it again and he’s been great to play with. I really enjoy playing with they guys around scratch just to see how they approach the game and recover from the few mishits they have. Only had one bad experience and it was just cause he talked too much and then started analyzing parts of my game. 

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

15 hours ago, cbrwn425 said:

Only had one bad experience and it was just cause he talked too much and then started analyzing parts of my game. 

 

I guess he meant well... LOL

I am a talkative person, so sometimes I wonder if I'm one of the annoying ones LOL

But we all generally get along. I treat the people I play with as if we've played together before because it's just better that way. As long as we don't break the cardinal rules of golf... I.E. unwelcome comments on each other's game... LOL

[cbrwn425]

1 hour ago, Mikey_HACKilroy said:

 

I guess he meant well... LOL

I am a talkative person, so sometimes I wonder if I'm one of the annoying ones LOL

But we all generally get along. I treat the people I play with as if we've played together before because it's just better that way. As long as we don't break the cardinal rules of golf... I.E. unwelcome comments on each other's game... LOL

I’ve played with plenty of talkers and had no issues. I find it pretty nice for a change usually cause I’m naturally very introverted.