The worst type of playing partner

ForeRight · 06-03-2013 12:54PM #1

I think I have been lucky enough when playing with strangers that they have been sound enough and quite chatty.

One fella springs to mind who really got under my skin one day.

He was playing off 16 and from early on I could see that as far as he was concerned he was the only person on the course and he thought he was playing in the masters. He did a running commentary on everyone of his shots. Never watched anyone else's ball. When he hit a bad shot he was saying he was trying this trying that etc etc. nobody cared though.

He got a birdie on one hole and went on like he had just won the lotto even though others still had to putt out.

When he missed a short putt he walked to the next tee talking out loud to himself in the third person giving out.

The biggest arsehole I've ever encountered on a golf course.

Any other stories of idiot playing partners? Not just angry stuff.

DeanAustin · 06-03-2013 01:10PM

One that bothers me is the fella who hits a putt and misses it. He then stands looking at it for a minute in amazement. He maybe even lines it up again. Then he utters the pearl of wisdon and says "Jaysus, how didn't that break?" as if the putt should have gone in from where he hit it and would have ordinarily but the ground must have moved unbeknownst to us. It had nothing to do with the fact that he misread it or hit it too hard.

I have no idea how to respond to those people. What are you supposed to say?

To be fair though, most people I've played with, even these lads, have been sound.

Only thing that really has really irritated me is the fella who liberally marks his ball or cheats in any way. One morning I saw a fella re-marking the ball at least a foot in front of where he originally marked it. To my shame, I didn't say anything.

ForeRight · 06-03-2013 01:15PM

DeanAustin wrote: »

Only thing that really has really irritated me is the fella who liberally marks his ball or cheats in any way. One morning I saw a fella re-marking the ball at least a foot in front of where he originally marked it. To my shame, I didn't say anything.

On that note I actually had to pull my dad up on this last week. Not for my own sake but for is instead of someone else saying it to him and him being penalised.
I noticed when he was marking his ball every time he would move the ball an inch and put the marker down exactly where the ball originally sat instead of just putting the marker down behind the ball.

He wasn't really stealing distance he was just being complacent.

scrubber72 · 06-03-2013 01:30PM

After the week i had on the course i would say......me. And i played alone.

For Paws · 06-03-2013 01:31PM

DeanAustin wrote: »

One that bothers me is the fella who hits a putt and misses it. He then stands looking at it for a minute in amazement. He maybe even lines it up again. Then he utters the pearl of wisdon and says "Jaysus, how didn't that break?" as if the putt should have gone in from where he hit it and would have ordinarily but the ground must have moved unbeknownst to us. It had nothing to do with the fact that he misread it or hit it too hard.

I have no idea how to respond to those people. What are you supposed to say?

To be fair though, most people I've played with, even these lads, have been sound.

Only thing that really has really irritated me is the fella who liberally marks his ball or cheats in any way. One morning I saw a fella re-marking the ball at least a foot in front of where he originally marked it. To my shame, I didn't say anything.

Well, you could say 'that's golf'.
Some folk are genuinely surprised when they miss a putt an maybe it's a bit harsh to condemn them for reacting.
Ball markers movers, that's just cheating and should be condemned.

For Paws · 06-03-2013 01:33PM

scrubber72 wrote: »

After the week i had on the course i would say......me. And i played alone.

Yeah, heard about you.

Whispering grass told the trees etc

andrewmaximus · 07-03-2013 11:22AM

I find the worst playing partner is the guy who falls into the 9-12 handicap. Playing well he’s smug , cocky etc. Plays badly he finds fault with everything, conditions, playing partners etc. I’m not tarring all these guys of this level with the same brush but some of them seem to be frustrated they can’t get down to a lower handicap.

DeanAustin · 07-03-2013 11:25AM

For Paws wrote: »

Well, you could say 'that's golf'.
Some folk are genuinely surprised when they miss a putt an maybe it's a bit harsh to condemn them for reacting.
Ball markers movers, that's just cheating and should be condemned.

No problem with people reacting. I often react.

It's just people who think that they aren't to blame for missing the putt. The ground hasn't moved or changed, the hole is in the same position - you missed the putt because you misjudged it. No other reason.

PARlance · 07-03-2013 11:37AM

DeanAustin wrote: »

One that bothers me is the fella who hits a putt and misses it. He then stands looking at it for a minute in amazement. He maybe even lines it up again. Then he utters the pearl of wisdon and says "Jaysus, how didn't that break?" as if the putt should have gone in from where he hit it and would have ordinarily but the ground must have moved unbeknownst to us. It had nothing to do with the fact that he misread it or hit it too hard.

I have no idea how to respond to those people. What are you supposed to say?

Offer to call the clubhouse to enquire what the greens are reading on the stimpmeter

DeanAustin · 07-03-2013 11:41AM

ajcurry123 wrote: »

Offer to call the clubhouse to enquire what the greens are reading on the stimpmeter

good suggestion.

Deise Vu · 07-03-2013 11:50AM

My regular playing partner brings along a complete tool business acquaintance every now and again. This guy can talk about nothing else other than the marvellous round he played last week and what is going wrong today (he is utterly hopeless even at a 26 handicap). He is oblivious to the fact that nobody is even listening anymore. Amongst his many pearls my favourite is (picture this delivered deadpan, in a D4 accent, straight to your face): "I play better with better players".

Miley Byrne · 07-03-2013 11:55AM

DeanAustin wrote: »

One that bothers me is the fella who hits a putt and misses it. He then stands looking at it for a minute in amazement. He maybe even lines it up again. Then he utters the pearl of wisdon and says "Jaysus, how didn't that break?" as if the putt should have gone in from where he hit it and would have ordinarily but the ground must have moved unbeknownst to us. It had nothing to do with the fact that he misread it or hit it too hard.

Reminds me of Lee Westwood. I know a lot of pros do this but he just cannot understand why most of his 9-10 foot putts miss. First thing he does after missing is look at the caddy as if he was given the wrong line.

PARlance · 07-03-2013 12:03PM

I've played with a friend of a friend 2 times now, and I am still kicking myself for allowing him the second chance. It'll never happen again.

We are all high HC'ers but this lad seems to think he should be challenging for a major only for this dammed hacker that is stuck inside him.
Every, and I mean every bad shot, and there are quite a few, is met with "What the fcuk... How did that fcuking happen...."
It's nothing too aggressive, which is the worst thing about it... If he was throwing clubs and acting the pr*ck then I would say something.
It's mostly just mutterings to himself that can be heard by his playing partners.

The two rounds are the only two rounds where I just wanted to walk off the course!
I can deal with someone losing the plot from time to time, but this is constant.
It amazes me how utterly amazed he is to have hit a bad shot!
Sorry chief, I've play 2 rounds with you now and I've seen you hit at least 150 bad shots. How is this a surprise.

During the first round I tried to approach him with some consolation, words of encouragement, general chit chat to try to distract him.
Turns out he never goes to the driving range to practice... he can't see the point in it

I didn't even bother with any of this on the second round.

On the rare occasion when a Par or even Birdie might drop it's like scenes from the Ryder Cup.

I am partial to plenty of bad shots myself for the record.

charlieIRL · 07-03-2013 12:27PM

There's nothing worse that a playing partner giving a running commentary on your round and how bad it may be going while they themselves hack the ball around the course!!

Rikand · 07-03-2013 12:47PM

DeanAustin wrote: »

No problem with people reacting. I often react.

It's just people who think that they aren't to blame for missing the putt. The ground hasn't moved or changed, the hole is in the same position - you missed the putt because you misjudged it. No other reason.

or miss-hit it.

DeanAustin · 07-03-2013 12:49PM

Rickylovesuall wrote: »

or miss-hit it.

Good point sir.

I stand corrected but my core point is still valid.

ssbob · 07-03-2013 12:50PM

I have played with 2 brothers once in a comp who didn't even look at me for the first 14 holes and then when they had an issue with something they had to ask me.............quite obnoxious really.........

I like mixing up my weekend games though and putting my name down with people I don't know from the club. More often than not you meet great characters like one guy I played with over christmas who wore Builders gloves for the last 8 holes as he was freezing, was hilarious!!:D

PARlance · 07-03-2013 01:04PM

Might as well be honest, I think I'm only slowly becoming a better playing partner myself.
I a very conscious of becoming one, but from time to time, I do something stupid.

Took a few shots out of turn last Sunday, it's not a usual occurrence, I don't know what I was doing to be honest, just not paying enough attention, which can be a personal trait.

Oh look, there's a bird.
I was also a bit nervous as it was for my first card so that may have been a factor.

I also need to work on areas like being trying to be too ready to play the ball, in an effort to try to keep up with the speed of play I think I walk on ahead (to my 3rd shot) as the rest of the group play their 2nd.
I think this stems from starting out playing the game with really good players, with me being on the other end of the spectrum, I was rushing it a bit and getting in areas that were dangerous or off putting because I felt I had to keep up with them.

I've pretty much stamped out the fidgeting with the bag on the tee box as others tee off, I was bad at this when I started... But even now ,there is the odd time where I do have to stop myself doing this... so it's not completely gone out of the system.

There may be more...

ssbob · 07-03-2013 01:13PM

ajcurry123 wrote: »

There may be more...

Like turning up drunk to a very important outing in Palmerstown:D:D

PARlance · 07-03-2013 01:21PM

ssbob wrote: »

Like turning up drunk to a very important outing in Palmerstown:D:D

That was a lesson alright.

In my defence, I had committed to the event then found out a Stag was planned the night before. I had pulled out of other events(with better excuses) so I felt pressured to attend that one.
Got in from the Stag at 6am. On road at 8am.
The missus wouldn't let me drive, rightly.... But at no stage did I think, if I shouldn't be driving then I probably shouldn't be playing golf.

ForeRight · 07-03-2013 01:28PM

ajcurry123 wrote: »

The missus wouldn't let me drive, rightly.... But at no stage did I think, if I shouldn't be driving.

You should have just used irons off the tee

GreeBo · 07-03-2013 01:32PM

ajcurry123 wrote: »

Might as well be honest, I think I'm only slowly becoming a better playing partner myself.
I a very conscious of becoming one, but from time to time, I do something stupid.

Took a few shots out of turn last Sunday, it's not a usual occurrence, I don't know what I was doing to be honest, just not paying enough attention, which can be a personal trait. Oh look, there's a bird.
I was also a bit nervous as it was for my first card so that may have been a factor.

I also need to work on areas like being trying to be too ready to play the ball, in an effort to try to keep up with the speed of play I think I walk on ahead (to my 3rd shot) as the rest of the group play their 2nd.
I think this stems from starting out playing the game with really good players, with me being on the other end of the spectrum, I was rushing it a bit and getting in areas that were dangerous or off putting because I felt I had to keep up with them.

I've pretty much stamped out the fidgeting with the bag on the tee box as others tee off, I was bad at this when I started... But even now ,there is the odd time where I do have to stop myself doing this... so it's not completely gone out of the system.

There may be more...

Admitting you have a problem is the first step!

I played a inter club match with a fella once who on every tee had is hand in his pocket, jingling what I can only assume (and hope!) was a mixture of keys, coins, tees and god knows what else.

He eventually realised that I wasnt going to hit the ball until he stopped, but he still started it on every tee....habit I guess.

Deise Vu · 07-03-2013 01:35PM

ajcurry123 wrote: »

Might as well be honest, I think I'm only slowly becoming a better playing partner myself.
I a very conscious of becoming one, but from time to time, I do something stupid.

Took a few shots out of turn last Sunday, it's not a usual occurrence, I don't know what I was doing to be honest, just not paying enough attention, which can be a personal trait. Oh look, there's a bird.
I was also a bit nervous as it was for my first card so that may have been a factor.

I also need to work on areas like being trying to be too ready to play the ball, in an effort to try to keep up with the speed of play I think I walk on ahead (to my 3rd shot) as the rest of the group play their 2nd.
I think this stems from starting out playing the game with really good players, with me being on the other end of the spectrum, I was rushing it a bit and getting in areas that were dangerous or off putting because I felt I had to keep up with them.

I've pretty much stamped out the fidgeting with the bag on the tee box as others tee off, I was bad at this when I started... But even now ,there is the odd time where I do have to stop myself doing this... so it's not completely gone out of the system.

There may be more...

I do this all the time but because I am usually playing with players as bad as myself. That means they're down the left / right while I'm down the right / left and need to maximise time rooting around the semi-rough / bushes / donning an aqualung. It gives us some chance of keeping up with play.

(If I'm honest I am also the most impatient person I know! :rolleyes:)

SEORG · 07-03-2013 01:43PM

Have only had the one experience where I wanted to lamp a guy on the course.
Myself and 2 of my regular playing partners were playing in a scratch cup about 2 yrs ago and were joined by a guy playing off 2.

Very good golfer but loved to comment on our shots or have a loud whisper while one of us was standing over our shot.

Worst one was when I chipped my ball on to a green and stopped it on the second bounce about a foot from the hole. He says to one of the other lads that I must be using wedges with illegal grooves.

The reply he got was "He's using the very same one's you have in your bag", I smiled on the inside.

Johnny_Fontane · 07-03-2013 01:59PM

I dont mind taking tips off 2 handicappers, but of the three scratch golfers I play with, they tell me its pointless....my swing is mental.....

PARlance · 07-03-2013 02:00PM

GreeBo wrote: »

Admitting you have a problem is the first step!

Thanks Greebo, I'll think you'll find I've progressed steadily through a few steps than just the first.
(I hope that's in relation to being a bad playing partner rather than the Palmerstown incident.

)

2.Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. (check)
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. (check)
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. (check)
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. (see previous post for evidence)
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. (looking forward to the big man stepping in)
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. (will do)
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. (might include mods in this list )
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. (have the stamps bought)
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. (no hassle)
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. (may substitute meditation for medication)
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics bad playing partners elsewhere and practice these principles in all our affairs. (am just waiting on the alarm clock to go off)

Ilik Urgee · 07-03-2013 02:15PM

The little red book sits next to the R&A Rulesbook in the front pocket AJ?:D

PARlance · 07-03-2013 02:42PM

Ilik Urgee wrote: »

The little red book sits next to the R&A Rulesbook in the front pocket AJ?:D

They're divided only by the hip flask

For Paws · 07-03-2013 03:29PM

From what I can see on this thread the worst type of playing partner is that typical fcuker you come across everywhere in life.
He can only see, hear & think about his own situation & has no idea that other people exist separately from him.
It's his planet & other people are only there so they can congratulate/comiserate/console him when called upon.

What my sainted granny (God rest her) used to called 'a selfish motherfcuker'

Pdoghue · 07-03-2013 04:34PM

Yeah, agreed that the worst type of playing partner is one who can only see, hear & think about his own situation & has no idea that other people exist separately from him. In a general sense.

I know a fellow who is grand off the course, having a few pints, etc. but once on the course he is oblivious to his playing partners. He also has a habit of hitting trees flush on the trunk and saying afterwards how perfect a swing he made, how perfect the connection, the ball went exactly where he wanted, and also saying if if wasn't for the tree it would have finished 2 feet from the cup. FFS..

I know another fellow who has the most annoying habit of commenting on every shot you make, good or bad. Most annoying is "not your best' when you hit a bad shot. FFS.. I don't need to be told...

slave1 · 07-03-2013 04:55PM

Don't care, I take them as I get them, anything beats being in work and that's always my train of though, bad golf day > good work day, just glad to be out there!!

The worst type of playing partner

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