Poor etiquette and gamesmanship

[larrybud]

Played with a friend, and some friends of this friends over the weekend. Tell me if you know this guy: The bets are made on the first tee. Small bets for some skins and other stuff. 3 holes later, the bet changes, then 2 holes later, the bet changes again. I'm a bit pissed at this point, and before I tee off on #6, I clearly state "OK, WHAT IS THE BET? Let's make it clear". I didn't come right out and say this one guy was a jackass for changing the rules, and shame on me for not making them spell it out on the first tee.

 

 

 

The funny thing is, these guys all make 6 figures, and we're playing for around $15 per man. Anyway, the bets are cleared up, and I end up nearly cleaning up, winning $40 of the $70 in the pot. I think in the end the "rules changes" for the bets actually helped me.

 

 

 

The other thing this guy did was shift around while other people were swinging, walking behind them while trying to putt, etc. I backed away from about 5 shots during the day from this one guy. I have a decent preshot routine and his games didn't work on me, but I think it's BS that someone tries crap like this. I made a couple of putts on top of his to cancel his skin out, and he ended up getting shut out. It was pretty sweet.

[thusgone]

It's not the money. Some guys cannot stand to lose and will do ANYTHING to tilt the odds in their favor.

 

I have a couple of friends like that. They'll set the bet and then bag for more strokes every time they hit a bad shot or I hit a half-decent one. Or they'll say "No junk," and then expect to get paid if they make a birdie or sandy. I don't play golf with them anymore. I hate that sh*t.

 

I like to play for a little something. Not big $$, just enough to focus the match and add a touch of pressure. I am more interested in hitting good shots under pressure than winning (although I like winning). As long as I play well, I don't mind losing to someone who played better -- provided we agreed to something relatively fair at the outset.

[littlepoison]

Even in those "for-pride-only" competitions, it's always best to have the rules clearly stamped out before teeing off of number 1... just makes things easier all around, and it makes someone who tries something shady THAT much more obvious... kid I went to HS with tried that stuff all of the time, and I still killed him... and I'm NOT good :) They seem to get reaaaally upset when you question why the rules are changing mid match... (ie, did you really make a five on that hole after losing three balls? :superman:

[Big Ben]

Always a few of them; it hurts the integrity of the match and get's under your skin. Earlier post is correct; this type of player can not handle losing at any cost; I don't even think they realize how stupid they look. Isn't it funny how when you finally breakdown and say something it's always your fault! Note; these guys do this s*** in their personally lives as well!

[raidernut1234]

"The true character of a man always is exposed on the golf course". Plus if you don't have the game to back it up...??

I practice/ play with my 8 year old son since he was 4. None of that stuff bothers me anymore. A car horn can go off in my backswing and it doesn't bother me. LOL