Playing with other golfers can be a lot of fun, but sometimes a little intimidating. Every time you play against golfers you don’t know, you might be the best player in the group… or you might be the worst.
Being the best is certainly more comfortable, but how do you deal with it when you’re actually the worst?
This happened to me recently. My son was planning a practice round for a tournament and asked if I wanted to participate. I’ll take any chance to play with him.
It turned out that the “regular” golfers we were supposed to play with didn’t show up. So I found myself playing with three of the best juniors in the country. It was a little intimidating, but still a lot of fun.
Here are a few suggestions if you ever find yourself in a similar situation
1. Don’t play slowly
This is rule number one. If you can do this, you will be fine.
You may end up taking more shots than there are, so efficiency is key. Get to your ball quickly. Quickly choose your club. Keep your setup and routine simple and consistent.
You can also anticipate which club (or clubs) you need and grab it when you return to the shopping cart. You won’t always know exactly what you need, but if you do, this little habit can save you valuable time.
2. Know when to pick up
If you’re not competing in a tournament, keep up with the group. This may mean occasionally picking up your ball and moving it forward to stay in position. There is no need to take several additional shots while others wait.
The same goes for putting. After your first putt, you may choose to pick up to keep things moving. You may not post a “real” score, but you can still enjoy the experience of playing alongside better golfers.
3. Choose the right times to socialize
One of the best parts of golf is the people you meet. A pleasant round often comes down to a good conversation. Just keep the timing in mind. Waiting for the group in front of you or walking off the green to the next tee are great opportunities to connect without slowing down the game.
4. Keep trying
Just do your best at your own game throughout the round. Ideally, you have a basic understanding of your tendencies and how to make small adjustments. Use the course experience as an opportunity to improve and correct yourself. With the right mindset, you might even be able to finish the round better than you started.
5. Use it as motivation
Playing with great golfers can be incredibly inspiring. They often make the difficult look simple.
In my years of teaching, I have noticed that the best players are usually the ones who work the hardest. It seems effortless because they’ve earned it.
#absolute #musts #play #golfers