Ideal Fourball for Regular Play

General Discussion
#1

Ok, curious about people’s thoughts here:

Regular group or mix it up? Same ability level? Same tees? Men and women or just men?

To me, finding the right foursome is as important as finding the right club to join. In fact, I’d rather play a burned-out muni with a great group than a pristine private club with a group that wasn’t the right fit for me.

BUT I also wonder if playing with the same people every week has a downside…we close ourselves off to new experiences, we get into a groove that prevents growth as a player and a person, etc.

Thoughts?

1 Like
#2

For me, the biggest “requirement” is that we all have similar attitudes towards golf and competition. We all need to care how we play, but not enough that we get too upset when things go badly. We all should want to win, but not resort to gamesmanship or rule-bending to get there.
I’m lucky in that at my club, I’m part of a group of roughly 30 or more players. The group gets 4 tee times every Saturday and Sunday, first to sign up get to play. Foursomes are randomly chosen. We play pretty strictly by the rules for relatively small money. We all get along pretty well, we love the competition, we love being together as friends. We also know every soft spot in each person’s mental “armor”, and are not afraid to put the needle in whenever given a chance.

1 Like
#3

You’re a lucky man. Sounds wonderful. What is the range of handicaps? Different tees? Ever thought about inviting some better lady players to join?

1 Like
#4

I play 99% of my rounds as a single joined up with other people. If someday I wind up with one round a week with a decent regular group, that would be nice, but I think the majority of my rounds will always wind up being as a single. I like playing my own game and can pretty easily match my “golf personality” to the group I’m with. It also gives me a lot of great stories about the random people I’ve played with.

4 Likes
#5

I don’t care who I am playing with along as they are pretty good on etiquette, don’t play slow, and don’t throw clubs/temper tantrums.

I can get along with everybody.

Ideally it would be 3 of my buddies, or with my dad and his buddies, playing a best ball match with a little bit of money and all the bragging rights on the line.

Trash talk is preferred. Don’t ask for a breakfast ball

1 Like
#6

I think our handicaps range from +3 to 16 or so. We do all play the same tees, which limits the involvement from some shorter hitters or women. We’re also a gateway for many new members, we’re pretty open to having new folks join the group. Its a great way for a new guy to make a bunch of new friends in a hurry.
I also play a match against my wife every time we play, so I’m fine playing against women, and from different tees. Based on handicaps, I generally give her 4 a side, and we come out pretty even over the long run.

2 Likes
#7

This has been a big struggle for me… I’m a member of a country club and play with a fairly regular group, they are nice but are 20+ years older than me and not particularly serious about golf… the one serious guy is somewhat of a jerk.

The more serious guys tend to only play weekend games…

I really wish I had golf buddies near me… someone to talk strategy with and get a friendly competition going with

1 Like
#8

I agree that the company you play with is extremely important. I’m fortunate to have a great group of about 15-20 golfers that I can rotate with at my course. They range anywhere from a +6 handicap (yea, he’s that good) to about a 15. All the matches are fun, and of course, the scratch players will give the guy who outperformed his handicap that day a hard time :joy:

2 Likes
#9

that is one of the reasons I left my previous course, and moved to the one I’m at now. I value who I play with a lot.

#10

Yeah, unfortunately we live in the neighborhood so it’s hard to really go elsewhere… I also haven’t put a ton of effort into finding a better game.

My wife’s once and former boss is a member as well and is with a decent group, but they only play Saturdays and for money… it’s also a six hour affair with drinks and such after… and I don’t drink!

1 Like
#11

I tried to join our men’s league but a) it’s really tough to compete as a scratch or plus-handicap and b) I much prefer my course from the back tees. So I basically play with some mix of the other 5 scratch/plus handicap golfers at my club. Wish we were a bigger group!

2 Likes
#12

Man, really tough life being a scratch/plus handicap golfer. :wink:
(just kidding to be clear)

1 Like
#13

Actually, not to have a pity party, I sort of am in a tough spot…not good enough to beat the college kids or mid-ams who are actually former pros, but too good to compete in any net events. The compensation I suppose is that I get to play prestigious tournaments…but sometimes i envy the 15 handicapper who gets hot and wins everything at his club for 3 weeks shooting net 64s.

3 Likes
#14

There’s only one answer. Tank your handicap :rofl:

3 Likes
#15

It’s significantly harder to sand bag at scratch than at 18… and 18 can get hot and throw up an 80 and no one will bat an eye… a “6” shooting a 70 will raise more eyebrows.

1 Like
#16

A strategy I’m sure that the “15 handicapper who gets hot and wins everything at his club for 3 weeks shooting net 64s” knows nothing about.

1 Like
#17

A common complaint from the lower handicappers, I know. The problem is the variability of higher handicaps v. lower, as well as the relative population sizes. Generally, 18’s vary much more than 3s, so their best score will just about always beat the 3’s best. And there are usually WAY more 10-20 handicap players than there are <5 players, so its much more likely one of the first group will have an outstanding round. From what I’ve read, and I don’t have references in front of me, low handicappers win in reasonably close percentage to their representation in a large field of players. But there are fewer of them, so more of the winners come from the handicap grouping with more players in it.

3 Likes
#18

I’m just starting to look at getting into some low-key competitions as it’s something I’ve never done before. All the ones I’m looking at are flighted, so I’m curious as to how tight the flight will wind up being.

#19

Thanks Dave. I’d love to see that reference as it just seems unlikely to me. Surely it’s way more likely for a 18 handicap to take a few lessons, have a breakthrough and shoot 85, net 67 than a 1 handicap to shoot 4 under. But again I’d love to see the reference. This could be one of those “golf myths” that doesn’t hold up!

One game I do like to play with a mixed handicap group is gross skins with a skin awarded to the low gross round and one awarded to the low net round. That seems fair and fun for everyone.

#20

Flights are a great way to get into competitive golf. See if you like it. Competitive golf is a totally different game (IMO) than casual golf. It’s mental torture and I happen to love every moment of it. But as I say it’s a way different vibe than cruising around with your buddies.