Temperent Misfunction

Reading Scrag's blog and the associated comments (and yes I think I would have blown up too) made me wonder what other than slow play - which we have discussed a fair bit before - makes you seethe on the course.

For me it's manners or lack of from playing partners. An example.

Playing with the Tortoise (I think I've introduced him before ) and others I've been playing reasonably steady stuff, unlike my partners for whom I've already done some (successful) scratching around in the woods; I know, I know you can see this coming now.

So there we are, my tee shot is longer - by a few yards only - but right so that I've got a blind shot over a hump to the green, he's on the fairway - ten practice swings and a waggle or four he's played and is off.

Me, Over the last months I've learned to deal with his "pre-shot-routine" and manage a great strike but the ball's nowhere to be found when I get greenside.

"Did you see it?" "Sorry I wasn't looking" - the irritation at losing one after a good strike, coupled with the stroke & distance did for me and my score on that hole.

My temper didn't improve when on the way to the next tee I found the original through the green where I would have had a chnace for an up and down or a bogey.

GRRR Does it take that much effort to look out for each other?

Edit:

Temperent??? See it still anoys me so much just to think about it that I can't even type

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I firmly believe that we should try to experience all that life affords, except, perhaps, bestiality and of course Morris Dancing.

To be honest, sometimes I'm 'that guy'. I'm not looking in your direction, because I don't want to see your swing. This inherently makes it tough to watch for your ball. Most of the time it's guys with an aggressive move I don't want to watch - languid, fluid swings in good tempo are the ones I watch.

That's me, that's me, that's me

I can sort of see where you're coming from Ben but I'd bet at least a whole loonie that even without watching my swing itself your chances of seeing my ball flight would increase ten-fold if you waited for my shot instead of effing storming up the fairway after your own. Which is more the point I meant to make.

The only time I help another golfer by watching where their ball goes is when asked. Especially when playing with someone I do not know, and/or have just met. My focus is on my own ball flight, and game. Now if I do see where their ball goes for what ever reason, I will help out if their ball is lost. Now when golfing with friends it is expected that we look after each other's equipment.

The big problem with finding balls that do not land, and stop in wide open spaces is how the terrain's "look" will change visually when a golfer changes their reference point of view when moving towards the ball. All of a sudden those three trees that were lined up, with your ball going past the third one are not lined up anymore, as the original perspective has changed.

That is one of the reasons that I feel that fewer balls are lost when a golfer walks a course, instead of riding in a cart, The golfer can walk directly along the same line their ball traveled. The same can be done while riding, but only when there is one person in the cart, and there are no other restrictions on where a golfer can drive the cart. GJS

I never watch a player swing, unless asked. This is because the main foursome that I join if someone is out all have their idosycracies (sp).

The oldest (78yrs) has the smoothest practise swing .... followed by the most jerky, choppy actual swing ... first time I played with him I thought he was injured ... during the swing.
2nd oldest (70yrs) has a pretty nice swing but essentially goes through every single swing thought before (not out loud but the actions speak loud enough).
3rd oldest (68yrs) has a solid swing but has a right foot twitch that cracks me up ... hard not to LOL.
Youngest (42yrs) has a low penetrating shot, but he shoots left handed ... it always looks like he is shooting back to the tee box.

At 33 I think they only invite me to watch where their balls go. So that is what I do. Set my self up in a position to not be able to see them but see the ball flight. I can't really expect the same because after 150yds they can't see my ball.

Reminds me of the one about a guy that had very poor vision and could not see where his ball landed so he advertised for a caddy who could spot for him. An 85 year old man came for the job, he said that he had recently had laser eye surgery and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle. He got the job.

First time out the golfer hits a real long ball with his driver, they both proceed up the fairway, after a while the golfer asks his caddy "if he saw the ball land?" The caddy replies "Yes I did" The golfer asks"Where is it then" The caddy replies "Don't know, I forgot"

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

Not sure that y'all taking this gripe seriously ah well, in passing did I mention that it's nearly two months since we last had Slat's gynaecologist joke?

I played with one guy who's vision was so bad that after each shot he would grab the binoculars that he had put down next to his ball to see where the ball landed.

It was heart breaking when you had to say "look down".

Ok, seeing as my blog was partial inspiration for Robins thread, I feel somewhat honour bound to contribute...

For me, there are 2 things which make our game great...

The self regulating aspect where we are our own referee (case in point, Brandt Snedeker calling a penalty on himself during the last round of the Aust Open this week and then go on to finish runners up by one shot) and the courtesy, respect and camaraderie that are part and parcel of the etiquette of our game.

We are all obliged to know the rules (and many of us don't) and we should play fair and offer all other golfers (partners or opponents) the same courtesy & respect that we would anticipate being shown in return.

I don't often lose a ball (other than hitting them into water hazards), and I will always watch other players shots and offer to help locate an errant one before being asked. Also, being sneaky long, I will never hit until I'm sure the group in front is out of range of my best straight shot. Having waited, often I produce something less than expected, but, it gives a light moment for the group and no one gets hurt.

I think of it as leading by example and hope that my playing partners of the day pick up and run with the example.

There are a few (I'll call them "miscreants") at each and every club I'm sure and after having again read Dr Bob's book a couple of more times, even my stance on Old Mate has softened as well.

IMHO, besides many other things, this game is a true measure of character.

Cheers

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Look at the Target, Look at the Ball, Swing... Dr Bob Rotella...

leave me out of it

Why Slats! Are you looking up an old friend (Like a bored Gyno)

Sorry for not taking you seriously Robin, I know what it's like after making a simple typo recently and not being able to forget it.

Seriously though (Honestly)

I don't suffer many problems with my normal playing partners, they are very good at looking out for each others balls (Probably let Neil in for another there ), especially off the tee. Now my Wife, that's another story, she never, ever spots where my ball lands Woe betide if I miss one of hers though!

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

Unless I am totally out of position of where the other guy is taking his shot, I always watch my playing partners ball flight. That is just the way I was brought up to play. If I am sure of where my ball is located, I help the other person find his ball. It doesn't take me off my game unless someone is just hitting one bad shot after another. Then it becomes a matter of slow play which is another annoyance entirely. I guess watching someone else's swing can get into your head a little but usually I am thinking so much about my own swing it has little effect. I just think it is common courtesy to help each other locate our balls.

Don't know what you mean Brian

With regard to watching others you're playing with, I am fortunate enough to be able to play regularly with my brother and a couple of close friends. They're not necessarily good at it, but I watch them and their shots every time. Firstly, because a couple of them really can spray it, secondly, because one of my dearest friends attention span is slightly shorter than a goldfish and thirdly I want to be on hand to either applaud and congratulate them on a shot well played (they are rare and worth an ego massage) or watch them in case they want to ask me a question.

I never really consider not watching a partners shot unless he's the resident village idiot and I don't want to be out there with him anyway.

To simply play your shot and bomb after it regardless is very bad form and I'd have to say something or deliberately scuff one in his direction to wake him up

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Luke: I don't believe it!
Yoda: That is why you fail.

I never have an issue with watching other people, whether they're good or bad. I don't feel at all that it detracts from my focus on my game. Sure, some people are more fun to play with or against than others, but watching people doesn't put me off. Quite the opposite, actually - it's part of what fires me up

^^ Err, reading that made it sound like I don't get temperament malfunctions, and God knows, that's as far from the truth as possible - particularly when playing with my brother. What I meant was, watching him isn't the problem...