I was playing with a friend who was struggling the other day. I didn’t want to give “swing advice,” that’s usually not the thing to do. But, I tried to be encouraging and complement the good shots that he did hit. Would you do anything differently - or, is just being supportive the best way to go?
When playing with a friend who is struggling…?
The last thing a struggling friend needs to hear is any swing advice. I talk about life. Funny stuff. Stuff that has nothing to do with golf. Remind him that he's not going pro. No need to stress over a game.
Being supportive on good shots and talking about anything other than golf after bad shots is usually the route I go. Definitely not giving any swing advice unless they ask for it.
My friends must be different because we all usually talk about how much they're sucking more than usual and they should buy new clubs.
This is the way to do it. When someone is struggling, take the conversation away from golf and just play.
It depends who the friend is, what they are struggling with, what my relationship is and whether I think I can help them. I have some friends I would say something to depending on what the round is and if I think it will mess them up in the short term.
100000% this. Anything but golf.
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I have a few long time playing friends that any off us can and has mentioned something that would help - and all of appreciate that and do not take offense. most of the time it is very constructive - like you really suck at putting. So answer question in #1 - depends on the relationship of the friends - some of our playing friends we cannot say anything and some welcome any input.
WLG1952
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I would just assure them that they are not the worst golfer on the course that day. To just have fun.
If they did ask for help, I'd offer what I could.
If they did ask for help, I'd offer what I could.
martybauer31
Well-known member
I usually try to ask how I can help, because everyone is different. Some will say "just let me battle through it", and for them, I'll keep it light, joke around and talk about other things. And some will ask if I see them doing anything different in their swing, approach, whatever, and I will try to offer up anything I might notice along with "it's frickin' golf, lets go get this next hole!".
Depends on the friend and relationship. Amongst my buddies it's sometimes best to bust ballz, sometimes best to try to help, sometimes best to ignore struggles and talk about anything else. Same advice goes if I'm the train wreck that day.
Point and laugh and double the bet.
Honestly it gets me out of a funk for me to get teased. It won't work on everyone but I don't do the supportive/encouraging thing at all.
Honestly it gets me out of a funk for me to get teased. It won't work on everyone but I don't do the supportive/encouraging thing at all.
I normally start hitting intentionally bad shots and flubbing chips or try bubba style shot. Then buy a round of drinks and turn it into a joking, mulligan taking fun round. I rarely keep score these days so what do I care if I join them in playing bad this will normally remove all the pressure they feel to preform and make it fun again.
This ^^^^^^^^ try & crack jokes, get his mind off of the bad shots he's hitting. Even if it means cracking a joke about those bad shots he's hitting.
At times I say the exact wrong thing at the wrong time while playing golf lol.
I try and talk about sports, stuff going on in the world, kids.... just anything.
I am terrible enough, I don't want to give/seek swing advice. Mainly just out to have a good time. Score doesn't matter at all as long as we keep moving lol.
I try and talk about sports, stuff going on in the world, kids.... just anything.
I am terrible enough, I don't want to give/seek swing advice. Mainly just out to have a good time. Score doesn't matter at all as long as we keep moving lol.
Ordering him a double transfusion.
@Jtubb17 has had a lot of practice. Playing with me has honed your cart side manner.
Depends upon the friend. I have one friend I play with twice a week, we are both decent players and play together enough so it is easy to see whats off in each other's swing, and welcome each other's observations. Sometimes its just a casual barb, like. " oh, I see your legs didnt wake all the way up yet".
Another friend just gets grumpy and even if I know exactly whats wrong I will never say a word unless asked.
And he will never ask.
You’re definitely not the worst I’ve played with
I try to just keep things as normal as possible, carry on however we usually carry on in a round. Some people have a sense of humor about it when their game goes south, others don't, so I'll tailor my approach accordingly.
I have one, and only one, golf buddy who I ever offer advice to on the course - and he and I have an explicit agreement with each other about that. We've played together a lot for many years and know each others' games better than anybody else, so if we notice something is off in the other's game we'll quickly and gently point it out. For anybody other than him, no chance I'm saying anything unless they specifically ask, no matter how obvious it is.
I have one, and only one, golf buddy who I ever offer advice to on the course - and he and I have an explicit agreement with each other about that. We've played together a lot for many years and know each others' games better than anybody else, so if we notice something is off in the other's game we'll quickly and gently point it out. For anybody other than him, no chance I'm saying anything unless they specifically ask, no matter how obvious it is.
WSox fan
Well-known member
Right now I’m the struggling friend. I was in the hospital back in March with an illness and it is still kicking my butt. My swing is a mess since my body just doesn’t want to cooperate. I play with a couple of groups during the week. The best thing they are doing is being patient and encouraging. I’m just trying to enjoy being out with the guys and every once in a while there’s a swing that gives me a glimmer of hope the swing might come back.
Absolutely agree. Compliment the good shots, and spend the rest of the time talking about non-golf stuff.
It depends what group. The main group I play with is called the DH group. You can probably guess what that stands for since we talk a bunch of s*** to each other. If in that group then we are all probably throwing a few jabs at them.