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Do you play better or worse when playing with a good golfer?

The only time I play worse when playing against other people is if they are big hitters. I tend to try to match/out hit them and that is detrimental to my game.


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Some of my best rounds are when I play with better players. I do not try to keep up with them per se, but I do concentrate a little more on good execution.
 
It's interesting this topic came up this morning, I just finished sending notes to the two guys I was paired with during our SMGA club championship last week. One I congratulated for finishing in the $$ and the other (who is 12 years my senior) I consoled for having played below his standard, but I thanked both for the personality and companionship they brought to the round both days making the tournament more enjoyable and it allowed me to be comfortable playing my game.
I have played with both before and in both cases have been outplayed by both at one time or the other but in spite of fact we were all playing against each other per se and we are all the same HC, we all continued to encourage each other to do well and acknowledged each others good shots. Some guys are just better to be around than others and I was fortunate to be playing with them. That in and of itself helped me play better and win our flight.
In looking back I find my game to be somewhat dependent on who I am playing with, not so much about how much better or worse they are than me but more so about how they conduct themselves because of the difference. We have one guy in the league that is a solid "A" player that totally ignores the guy in the foursome that might be struggling on any given day. I don't play well when paired with him. On the other hand we have another guy in the league that claims a 2 HC but has the worst golf etiquette and has temper tantrums when every shot isn't perfect. I've had two of my best rounds when playing with him, go figure. BTW, I've yet to see him play below 10 over.
Golf to me has been more about friendship and fun. A way to clear my mind of the BS of life and enjoy myself. I play far better when relaxed and there are fewer expectations. I can be as competitive as I need to be without being OCD about it and do enjoy winning on the occasions when I do. I have a tendency to play worse when I try too hard to play better regardless of my playing partners.
 
I regularly play in a group (30+) of senior golfers. Our "commissioner" regularly sets us up so that we don't play with each other too often in a row, and teams up players so each group has around the same handicap. There are a few under 5 hcp players that make the day enjoyable when we play together. On the other hand, there are 2 who seem to think that giving advice while playing with them will help your game. (It doesn't) Then we have two guys (20+ hcp), who are specifically shared out so no one has to play with them more than once a month. It's not that their game is bad (there are worse players) it's that they are oblivious to what is going on around them. They talk incessantly, bragging about themselves, always rushing to hit their shot whether or not they are in turn, often disturbing you getting ready to hit your shot. So, overall, I play better with nice guys, regardless of ability, but it doesn't hurt to get good reads on the green from better players.
 
better in my case
 
I play with very good players often. I'm not intimidated and like to read how they handle certain scenarios. Being honest, I think it's a coin flip as to if I play better or worse. Same thing whether I'm playing with real good players or real bad ones. I can play brilliant golf, consistent normal golf or sh!t the bed on any given day. I will have fun regardless.
 
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I tend to believe that as a single handicap I’m statistically better than most people I will play with for the first time. In this video, I get my statistics handed to me.
We were playing on a cold windy day on a wet course, from the regular men’s tees(I play the seniors). I did play better in my attempt to not get embarrassed.
Years ago, I play 9 holes with our club champion. I wasn’t keeping score. He informed me that I had shot 1 under. Yes, playing with better golfers can raise your game.

 
Always play better when the group is better.
 
Interesting question and great responses. The comments seem to vary by player but that is golf I think because it is really such a personal game.

For me if I start off good when playing with better players then I usually play better, however, if I don't start well I get down on myself which definitely affects my game.

I would typically say when I play with random people that I can tell from the start I am better than I play very relaxed and so usually play well.

Another option you left out is playing alone, I tend to do this a lot as all of my golfing partners have moved and I live in Oregon and will play in the pouring rain. Often for me when I play by myself I have my best round (yes really and no cheating or mulligans). I think this is in part because being out there by myself I am not looking at anyone else's shots and comparing to them. I know for some it about playing with friends and meeting new people which I do love but I also love the solitude and introspection I can get when golfing alone. For example about a week ago I went out on a rainy day, grabbed a cart instead of walking, I was the only person on the whole course and played 18 in less than 2 hours and shot my season best so far.

I really want to be able to convert my solo golfing ability to concentrate to competition so if I get selected for Granddaddy, Mizuno or other Experiences I will!!
 
Nerdy_81 said:
I tend to play worse when I'm with better golfers. I feel like they will regret playing with me if I don't play decent, and it usually ends up making me play really bad instead of just being loose and playing normal like I do with friends/similar HC's. I'm sure most times the good golfer doesn't care at all about me or how I'm doing, but I get in my own head.
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That's my experience exactly and I agree they probably don't feel that way as long as I am not negative or slow (which I am not)
 
A significant factor towards scoring low is learning from other players shots; such as how the wind may be moving the ball, the bounces fronting a green, the firmness of the greens, the effect air temperature is having on carry yardages etc...
Also, visualizing good shots is a major part of top level golf, so if one can see excellent shots from playing partners it is helpful towards visualizing your own good shots.
 
Agree with everyone. I tend to play better with better players. When I was younger I used to be intimidated a bit and try to do too much. I am relaxed when playing with worse players but sometimes too relaxed. I generally play well by myself. Even if I am frustrated I notice the nature, birds, etc. unspoiled by anyone else. If there is a slow group in front I might work on routine or drop a second ball to work on something.
 
I tend to just play no matter who I am with. I like to test myself against better players, but I don't know that I always pass the test LOL!
 
I am one that will usually play better with a strong group. I think I see more when watching the better player out on the course.
 
Desmond said:
Slow play tends to bother me

Crappy partners - rare - annoy me.

I try to put it out of my mind and think about more pleasant things.
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I’m kind of where you are on this, with one slight difference. I don’t care how good (or bad) a player you are, but if you’re slow, I’m not going to enjoy playing with you.
A bad player taking doubles and triples all day won’t bother me as long as he does it quickly. You could be the nicest guy in the world, but if you’re a slow player you’re going to get on my last nerve.
 
I've played with retired PGA pros. I'll take all the free tips they give out. I actually prefer playing with better players. I'm a bogey golfer. I'll have a blow up hole once in a while, but other than that I'll be getting bogeys and pars and sometimes a birdie. Toward the end of the round the DBs start to come if my back starts acting up.
 
SC LEFTY said:
I’m kind of where you are on this, with one slight difference. I don’t care how good (or bad) a player you are, but if you’re slow, I’m not going to enjoy playing with you.
A bad player taking doubles and triples all day won’t bother me as long as he does it quickly. You could be the nicest guy in the world, but if you’re a slow player you’re going to get on my last nerve.
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How do define a slow player? Two weeks ago I played with a teaching pro who shot 67. For some shots he took extra time for club selection and reading greens. He hit 3 out of 4 par 5 greens in two shots. It was a pleasure to watch the great shots he made all day long.
No matter how much time he took him shooting 67 is going to be at a faster pace of play then another player shooting more than a hundred.
 
DG_1234 said:
How do define a slow player? Two weeks ago I played with a teaching pro who shot 67. For some shots he took extra time for club selection and reading greens. He hit 3 out of 4 par 5 greens in two shots. It was a pleasure to watch the great shots he made all day long.
No matter how much time he took him shooting 67 is going to be at a faster pace of play then another player shooting more than a hundred.
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Don’t agree.... sorry.
If he plays slow I don’t care if he shoots 59, I don’t want to be out there with him. You want to sit there and watch him go through his “routines” good for you.
Its not just me either. There are plenty of guys on tour that other pros hate playing with because they’re slow, and they put up good scores also.
Slow play is like pornography. You can’t define it, but you know it when you see it.
 
SC LEFTY said:
Its not just me either. There are plenty of guys on tour that other pros hate playing with because they’re slow, and they put up good scores also.
Slow play is like pornography. You can’t define it, but you know it when you see it.
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Tour golf is different because the entire tournament field is playing great shots all day long. I think any amateur who wants to improve their game should always benefit from being paired with someone shooting an under par round of golf. If an amateur does not want to improve their game and prefers playing with someone who shoots 100 while playing fast, that's another story.
 
DG_1234 said:
Tour golf is different because the entire tournament field is playing great shots all day long. I think any amateur who wants to improve their game should always benefit from being paired with someone shooting an under par round of golf. If an amateur does not want to improve their game and prefers playing with someone who shoots 100 while playing fast, that's another story.
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“That’s another story....” 😂
I always enjoy the circuitous (and snarky) routes you take when trying to make a point. This one was no different. Nice job.
Not quite as entertaining as your “small head irons are better for bad golfers” routines, but entertaining nonetheless.
 
Intimidated maybe for the first hole or two. After that it usually doesn't matter. Don't shoot better or worse scores. And the only things I can learn from playing alongside better players are 1) my course strategy is every bit as good, 2) my skill and execution of pretty much every club in the bag is very poor.

But... I really like watching the game played at a higher level so there's that. Otherwise, as long as someone is fun to be around with, their skill level isn't a big deal.
 
I always play better with good players. Played with a scratch today. Two shots below my HC last time I played with a scratch I shot 3 under my HC.

I played last Saturday and shot 4 over my HC and probably was 10 strokes under my next closest.
 
Knucklehead said:
I tend to believe that as a single handicap I’m statistically better than most people I will play with for the first time. In this video, I get my statistics handed to me.
We were playing on a cold windy day on a wet course, from the regular men’s tees(I play the seniors). I did play better in my attempt to not get embarrassed.
Years ago, I play 9 holes with our club champion. I wasn’t keeping score. He informed me that I had shot 1 under. Yes, playing with better golfers can raise your game.

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I enjoyed the video, you did a nice job with it!
 
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