self-appointed experts

[rkischuk]

I often will show up at a course and join a 3some as a single. Once in a while I get stuck riding w a guy who after 2 or 3 holes decides that he is MUCH better than me and starts offering me tips after virtually every shot I make. Even though I make polite comments about not learning while on the course, just having fun, etc, these guys continue to escalate their 'feedback' until I want to smack them in the face w my hybrid. I don't want my rudeness to match theirs, nor do I want to ruin the day completely. Someone tell me the best way to deal with this. P.S. the last time this happened I pulled my clubs from the cart, saying I wanted the exercise, and avoided the guy altogether.

[DubRepublic]

get out and walk. It's worth your sanity and your round score.

[SW20 MR2]

Hmmm, maybe tell them that, while you appreciate it, you are already working hard on your swing with a pro, and that any thoughts/comments from him might just confuse you.

[Vet-Y2K]

Wear an MP3 and play to the music. :rofl: :rofl: :) Just keep tapping to the beat during the ride in the cart.

[alien270]

ive had this happen to me one time...
i just smile and be like right right sure sure
lol :D . but most of the times they are better than me and probably finish 5-10 strokes better than my score :$

[rockwalls]

man, i hate these types!! i would probably mention that i prefer feedback after 18 holes, not during round of play as this would just make matters worse, thank you. its a hard enough game and more difficult when you have someone yapping at you all the time. if he ain't your teacher then better just shut up!:mad: nothing personal.

i played with my teaching pro once and even he wouldn't say anything during the game; he says just to play and we'll discuss tips at the 19th with some cold drinks!

[alien270]

my brother and his buddy got paired up yesterday with one of the courses employee in parkview valley, after the round my brother was ranting to me about this exact same stuff.. he wanted to punch the guy alredy..
some people are just *****s.

[rockwalls]

yeah, you just gotta let it in one ear and out the other; keep your focus on the game and just acknowledge without being rude; now, if its just so unbearable, you do the same thing to them, scrutinizing their swing and give them a dose of their own medicine.:D not that that will make anything better ...only in extreme cases.

if they ain't david leadbetter or friggin dave pelz then they should just shut up and play!!

[tjhayko]

I often will show up at a course and join a 3some as a single. Once in a while I get stuck riding w a guy who after 2 or 3 holes decides that he is MUCH better than me and starts offering me tips after virtually every shot I make. Even though I make polite comments about not learning while on the course, just having fun, etc, these guys continue to escalate their 'feedback' until I want to smack them in the face w my hybrid. I don't want my rudeness to match theirs, nor do I want to ruin the day completely. Someone tell me the best way to deal with this. P.S. the last time this happened I pulled my clubs from the cart, saying I wanted the exercise, and avoided the guy altogether.

I think you already handled it in the best way possible. I try not to give advice to anybody unless they ask (and if they are asking me, they are in real trouble ;) ). I love the guys on the range who start giving everybody that walks by free advice, NOT!

[alien270]

I think you already handled it in the best way possible. I try not to give advice to anybody unless they ask (and if they are asking me, they are in real trouble ;) ). I love the guys on the range who start giving everybody that walks by free advice, NOT!
you mean joe the range pro :rofl: :rofl:

[swaaain]

Give them a taste of their own medecine is right, just give them all the wrong info. You have to flex that right knee more, arch that back in your take away to get more club head speed. Stuff like that. Just so you can really mess them up with their game. Just get into their head about everything, that is the best. :D :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[camzie]

This has happened to me in the past - generally just tell them to play their own game and that I dont require their input... normally quiets them up.

On another note though, perhaps I'm a *****, but does anyone else here hate it when a single joins their group? I don't mind being paired up with another two-some, but I have been paired up with too many socially inept singletons... Its like there is a reason these people can't find anyone to play with.

[el tigre]

On another note though, perhaps I'm a *****, but does anyone else here hate it when a single joins their group? I don't mind being paired up with another two-some, but I have been paired up with too many socially inept singletons... Its like there is a reason these people can't find anyone to play with. Nope. I play most of my rounds as a single and it has nothing to do with my social skills or lack of them.

Simply put, I play FAR more golf than any of my friends. Every Saturday and/or Sunday morning I'm playing somewhere, whether someone else can join me or not. Usually try to mix in a few impromptu twilight rounds as well. And most of the singles I've had the pleasure of playing with are out on a solo round for exactly the same reason. They're fanatics - just like me!

It's the threesomes you've gotta watch out for. Some these groups play twice a year at most and know nothing about proper golf etiquette - they think I'm too "anal" because I'm constantly replacing divots and fixing ball marks. Jeez, I'd rather play by myself than get hooked up these guys.

[rockwalls]

as long as the single or the 3 some joining are cool and just there to play, i'm fine with that. true, the worst are those that don't have any idea of etiquette. i don't care if they're duffers but at least keep pace of game going, replace the divots, don't stand in my line......

[SW20 MR2]

I have played numerous rounds with single walk-ons, and only once have I not really liked a guy. He proclaimed himself to score in the low to mid-80's, but he improved lies all the time and took 3-4 foot putts as gimmes. He was also a self-appointed expert to my friend and I. His swing was very ugly. Lastly, he was *very* rough around the edges. You know. The stereotypical iron-worker type. He actually started smoking a joint while we were on the course!

Anyways, the rest of the singles I have played with were very nice, and I would have no problems playing with them again.

[pudubny]

A contrary view would just be, "I can learn from anybody". Even a "hacker" may have better insight into some areas of the game than I do. So I listen. Why get all defensive when somebody tries to teach you something?
The best teachers are not the best players.
I try not to do this, but if I see a really common problem, I'll ask the person if they want a suggestion. A perfect example is beginners typically read far too little break into putts, which all you Pelz fans know makes two putting very difficult. So after 6 putts go by the hole on the low side I will ask if they want a suggestion. They can say no and it won't bother me a bit.
The guys who get to me are the ones who do the running commentary on every swing, for everyone in the group. "too steep", "too heavy", "you are over the top", "you're swinging too hard", etc. That's annoying!
I've got a friend who is the defensive type. I've played with him for 5 years now and nobody can tell him anything. We've all improved our game and he is still a 28 handicapper and frustrated. It's no mystery to his playing partners.
Our regular group all try to push one another and teach each other what we've learned. And it helps our game.
So I say remain open and honest about learning anytime.
Good luck.
Pud.

[tjhayko]

I have played numerous rounds with single walk-ons, and only once have I not really liked a guy. He proclaimed himself to score in the low to mid-80's, but he improved lies all the time and took 3-4 foot putts as gimmes.

I LOVE ;) guys like this. You go grinding out a good hole, hit the fairway, decent approach as you watch the guy hit two into the trees, improve the lie after the next shot that ended up behind a tree, blow an approach over the green, and three putt for "PAR", and then dance around at the end of the round because they beat you by two strokes. I wonder how that happened? :rofl: :rofl:

[golferboy]

Just ignore them. I've experienced a similar thing. Walk on as a single...get set up with guys that have $2000 worth of new clubs, fancy bag, dressed like a tour pro...then they havent got any game. I just keep quiet and play my game, ignoring any kind of advice they give me whether it be equipment, or swing related or strategy. Just smile and say thanks for the advice....then ignore it and kick their #$%:hush: :hush: :hush: :hush: :hush:

[tjhayko]

Just ignore them. I've experienced a similar thing. Walk on as a single...get set up with guys that have $2000 worth of new clubs, fancy bag, dressed like a tour pro...then they havent got any game. I just keep quiet and play my game, ignoring any kind of advice they give me whether it be equipment, or swing related or strategy. Just smile and say thanks for the advice....then ignore it and kick their #$%:hush: :hush: :hush: :hush: :hush:

You mean there is something wrong with having $2000 worth of clubs and a fancy bag with no game? What am I gonna spend my money on now? ;)

[rockwalls]

I LOVE ;) guys like this. You go grinding out a good hole, hit the fairway, decent approach as you watch the guy hit two into the trees, improve the lie after the next shot that ended up behind a tree, blow an approach over the green, and three putt for "PAR", and then dance around at the end of the round because they beat you by two strokes. I wonder how that happened? :rofl: :rofl:
I second that man!! I've played with guys like these too and they've had more strokes than one can count and still come out par on the hole. What da? :nono: And you ask them what their handicap index is and they say shoot in high 70's and occasional 80's....oh and the clubs!! phew! might as well hang em around your neck as jewellry!:rofl:

[aaagc]

Just tell them they are breaking Rule 8-1 - a player must not give advice.:)

[Bellyhungry]

I want to give the other side of the story:

I spend $80-$120 and looking to have a good round...I am playing with friends who in the first few holes, continuously make some obvious, non-complex, and easily fixed mechanical errors....As a result, they get very frustrated with themselves....The mood of the group is affected because of the bad vipes...

Two of the most common faults are: 1) No swing through in their sand plays; 2) flip their wrists in their chip shots....

Now, why wouldn't I show them how to hit those shots properly during the round so that they will enjoy the rest of the round?