The majority of us play golf for fun and because we enjoy being out on the course, often with friends. However, you may also decide to enter local tournaments and this can mean being paired with someone you do not know.
Being paired with a player you do not know can present immediate problems and the first of those is simply breaking the ice and getting a feel for how the person would like to interact with you during the round.
Most players will be just like you and happy to be playing golf, looking forward to playing with a new partner and perhaps learning something new.
However, what happens if you are paired with a player who becomes very frustrating during the 18 holes of golf? A full round of golf with a frustrating playing partner you do not know can seem like an awfully long time, so what can you do to keep your emotions in check and ensure you play to the best of your ability?
Firstly, do not try and offer them advice if things are going badly for them or they are showing signs of frustration. Telling a golfer to ‘keep his/her head down’ just after they have hit a bad shot is not going to go down well and should be avoided. Doing this will only make things worse.
Instead, try and add some positivity to their round. This can be a simple comment such as ‘I saw you hitting it great on the range, it will come’ for example. Anything which offers something positive and does not mention their swing or any other aspect of their technique is welcome.
Saying something amusing can also help to diffuse the situation but again, stay away from anything which paints their golf in a bad light. You could tell a joke, share a story or mention something you have read which was funny, anything which takes their mind off the golf for a few seconds and will not offend them is good.
However, there will be some golfers you just cannot get on with and despite your best efforts, you cannot make a breakthrough with them. Perhaps they are a very slow around the course and it is leading to frustration for you as they take an age over playing every shot, even the most basic of putts.
When this happens, try and stick to your own game plan and shot routine. Speeding up your own routine to try and get your playing partner to play faster will not work and only result in you playing poorly.
Finally, remember this is only one round and you have not chosen to play with this person out of choice. Once the round is complete, you can give yourself a pat on the back for the way in which you dealt with the situation. The experience you have gained will be valuable for other events in the future.
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