Your most unpopular Golf opinions?

[mshills]

1 hour ago, Warrior42111 said:

 

Worst part was we caught up with other groups no where to go, not bad pace FYI (looked it up on GRINT 4:02 round) this pissed him off royally, and by the time the first players foot was of the green on the hole is ball was in the air. Mind you a top 50 pro is 2/3 in GIR from 150-175. At this point we were looking for escape options.

 

This is one of the worst outcomes of getting paired up. Happens to everyone…..I don’t know you, we just got paired up, you drop one onto the group in front and think we are with you when a cart comes driving back looking to whup some behind? Think again!

 

Before it escalated it sounds like you were already dealing with a professional complainer. I’d rather play golf with a drunk than that guy. 

[knock it close]

18 hours ago, PuffyC said:

I absolutely LOVE playing alone, but then maybe I’m the only one. With you on random strangers tho. 
 

I'm the exact opposite 

[Warrior42111]

23 minutes ago, mshills said:

This is one of the worst outcomes of getting paired up. Happens to everyone…..I don’t know you, we just got paired up, you drop one onto the group in front and think we are with you when a cart comes driving back looking to whup some behind? Think again!

 

Before it escalated it sounds like you were already dealing with a professional complainer. I’d rather play golf with a drunk than that guy. 

It was just one of those 100% Alpha all the time all about me type of people. 

 

Not saying being type A is bad, just a time and place for everything...except for launching into another group 

[Pepperturbo]

For some people, chasing launch monitor numbers can do more harm to golf than help.

[PedronNiall]

The clacking of golf clubs is a pox. The way some people let their bag slam around and get a racket going because they don't know how set their straps or how to walk is the worst kind of vileness. Boo! Boo, I say!

[WesternRacing]

6 hours ago, Warrior42111 said:

The second thing was just a newer guy to golf, and we've all been there. I'm not one to get mad if you suck and duff it around, just suck fast lol. This guy had a full preshot routine and I didn't see him pick up his ball in the 4 holes I played with him not of them scoring below doble digits, til I had a 'bathroom emergency' and went a different direction. 

 

I played a round a couple years back at a public course with two of my buddies: a well known, pretty difficult course.  Just as we’re about to tee off, up runs a guy with his push cart to join us.  Nice guy, we all introduce ourselves and off we go after he puts his tee shot deep in the rough.  He then proceeds to go through an extended, glacial pre-shot routine on every single shot and putt, for the entire round.  Mind you, he’s about a 25 handicap.  Not a big deal honestly, we’re all pretty laid back.  But after nine holes of this, it was beyond maddening, and even one of my buddies, who is the nicest person on earth, has had enough.  The guy’s going through 20 second pre shot routines when he’s already laying five in the fairway on a short par four.  He probably shot a 60 on the front side and he’s still plumb bobbing his third put on the ninth green.  At some point on the back nine, we just went to super ready golf and played as if he wasn’t there.

[Double Mocha Man]

5 minutes ago, WesternRacing said:

 

I played a round a couple years back at a public course with two of my buddies: a well known, pretty difficult course.  Just as we’re about to tee off, up runs a guy with his push cart to join us.  Nice guy, we all introduce ourselves and off we go after he puts his tee shot deep in the rough.  He then proceeds to go through an extended, glacial pre-shot routine on every single shot and putt, for the entire round.  Mind you, he’s about a 25 handicap.  Not a big deal honestly, we’re all pretty laid back.  But after nine holes of this, it was beyond maddening, and even one of my buddies, who is the nicest person on earth, has had enough.  The guy’s going through 20 second pre shot routines when he’s already laying five in the fairway on a short par four.  He probably shot a 60 on the front side and he’s still plumb bobbing his third put on the ninth green.  At some point on the back nine, we just went to super ready golf and played as if he wasn’t there.

 

Did he keep up with the ready golf?

[WesternRacing]

2 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Did he keep up with the ready golf?

 

He eventually made it to the green and putted with us, but tee to green we just had to let him do his thing while we moved along.

[mshills]

8 hours ago, WesternRacing said:

 

He eventually made it to the green and putted with us, but tee to green we just had to let him do his thing while we moved along.

🤔 
 

So…..there wasn’t really a problem, it was your perception of a problem?

 

If your group keeps up with the group in front and your four players are arriving at the green at roughly the same time, it’s pretty hard to accuse someone of being “glacial.”

[WesternRacing]

4 hours ago, mshills said:

🤔 
 

So…..there wasn’t really a problem, it was your perception of a problem?

 

If your group keeps up with the group in front and your four players are arriving at the green at roughly the same time, it’s pretty hard to accuse someone of being “glacial.”

 

No, there was a huge problem.  We had to wait on him to get to every green, as he was slowing us down materially.  On top of that, he was throwing all of us out of rhythm having to wait for him to take two shots to every one of ours, and to go through a pre shot routine like he was a touring pro every time.  We solved it by just playing ready golf and ignoring him until we got to the green, at which time we waited for him to eventually kick his ball up.  All we did was combine all the waiting time into one managageable period, between our approach shots and our first putt.  I have no problem playing with 20-25 indexes.  Do it regularly at my club.  But none of them make believe they’re the second coming of J.B. Holmes.

 

The funniest part was that the dude kept checking a yardage book.  Pretty sure when you’re shooting a 110, ya don’t need a yardage book in your back pocket.

 

Edited May 15 by WesternRacing

[jda]

Unpopular opinion: you are not doing any of these slow/irritating golfers any favors if you do not say anything to them.  They don't have any self awareness if they are acting like this and you might actually help them.  They might think that their routine is just as important as you think that yours is... which is true, but folks also need to know when to give it up.  You can offer this as help and be nice and everything - it does not have to be combative.  Either talk to them or you have no right to complain or be irritated.

 

I tell people all of the time that we need to stop our usuals and catch up and nobody has ever gotten mad at me... strangers or friends.  I set an example by walking to the tee and hitting without any practice swings or too much analysis regardless of who has honors or anything.  I will even say it a second or third time if I need to.  Have offered to move a push cart or carry a bag to the other side of the green to save time while saying something like "let me get that for you since we are way behind."  Most people will follow your lead if you actually do some leading.

[mshills]

2 hours ago, WesternRacing said:

 

We had to wait on him to get to every green, as he was slowing us down materially. 

 

I misunderstood your prior post then. My bad. 

[mshills]

11 minutes ago, jda said:

….it does not have to be combative.  Either talk to them or you have no right to complain or be irritated.

 

Most people will follow your lead if you actually do some leading.

Preach!

 

Humanity would be so much better if we did away with all the passive-aggressive stuff, “dropping hints,” and who knows what else. It’s not that hard.

 

Do be direct. 
Don’t be a jerk. 
Stop with what I call “professional complaining.”

[WesternRacing]

8 minutes ago, mshills said:

I misunderstood your prior post then. My bad. 

 

All good.  I might not have been very clear.

[WesternRacing]

19 minutes ago, jda said:

Unpopular opinion: you are not doing any of these slow/irritating golfers any favors if you do not say anything to them.  They don't have any self awareness if they are acting like this and you might actually help them.  They might think that their routine is just as important as you think that yours is... which is true, but folks also need to know when to give it up.  You can offer this as help and be nice and everything - it does not have to be combative.  Either talk to them or you have no right to complain or be irritated.

 

I tell people all of the time that we need to stop our usuals and catch up and nobody has ever gotten mad at me... strangers or friends.  I set an example by walking to the tee and hitting without any practice swings or too much analysis regardless of who has honors or anything.  I will even say it a second or third time if I need to.  Have offered to move a push cart or carry a bag to the other side of the green to save time while saying something like "let me get that for you since we are way behind."  Most people will follow your lead if you actually do some leading.

 

I’ve done this many times, with both friends and strangers.  Very nicely.  And at best I’ve had a 50/50 hit rate, in terms of getting a positive response.  I was playing a very nice course once with three strangers, all four of us were singles.  One guy was glacial, the other three of us were dying.  Course backed up behind us.  I made the comment walking off the green that I thing we need to pick it up, as we’re behind.  His comment?  “Well they’ll just have to wait.  I’m here to enjoy the day…”. I made a pace of play comment, which he ignored.

 

I actually had to get really pointed with a good friend who visited my club, when he started taking our four ball match way too seriously and getting us out of position with his glacial putting routine.  Had a tense few holes after that, but I told him, hey this is my club, we have to stay on pace, particularly since I’m the local pace of play zealot at our course.

 

Edited May 15 by WesternRacing

[Double Mocha Man]

5 hours ago, WesternRacing said:

The funniest part was that the dude kept checking a yardage book.

 

Gotta give the guy a break... back in 2001 he hit a good shot using 5 practice swings and a yardage book.

[WesternRacing]

2 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Gotta give the guy a break... back in 2001 he hit a good shot using 5 practice swings and a yardage book.

 

I think he spent too much time watching golf on TV and not enough at the range practicing.

[Double Mocha Man]

6 minutes ago, WesternRacing said:

 

I think he spent too much time watching golf on TV and not enough at the range practicing.

 

The funny thing is when you inquire of the guy who takes 5 practice swings he tells you he doesn't want to make the real swing until he's made a good practice swing.  Odds are if he chose to take the real shot after a bad practice swing he'd probably hit a great shot.  He ain't executing two good swings back to back.

[mshills]

Practice swings are not only unhelpful, they are actively harmful. 

[Double Mocha Man]

10 minutes ago, mshills said:

Practice swings are not only unhelpful, they are actively harmful. 

 

If one's as bad as that guy was he'll have taken between 200 and 280 practice swings over 18 holes.  Yes, detrimental.

[jda]

4 hours ago, mshills said:

Preach!

 

Humanity would be so much better if we did away with all the passive-aggressive stuff, “dropping hints,” and who knows what else. It’s not that hard.

 

Do be direct. 
Don’t be a jerk. 
Stop with what I call “professional complaining.”

 

If I ever write a book, I am going to have a chapter devoted to the idea that you can say anything that you want to people as long as you are 1). direct and 2. honest.  I also agree that passive aggressive, hyperbole, saying things for effect and all of that is what gets most people in trouble.  Just honest and direct nearly never seems to make people mad.

 

So many people screw up the direct part and then compound it by saying some hyperbole or other backhanded stuff.  "Are we the slowest group EVER, or what, Guys?" is about the worst thing that you can say and many prefer this approach since they feel like it lets them off the hook... never works.  I usually go with "We need to speed this up..." no questions, no ambiguity, no anything... then take the lead.  If dude responds with a selfish comment, he gets another direct retort along the lines of "You don't get to enjoy the day at the expense of everybody else.  Let's get moving."  Told a guy once that "you be you" only works when nobody else is getting impacted - he was amazed by this idea and said nothing back, and did speed up.

 

Back in the days of "gentlemen," they used to give honest and direct critiques of each other and it was all OK.  Hard truths, if you will.  You only insulted them if you called them a liar or were not forthcoming yourself, usually through some sort of passive aggressive or dishonest means.

[mshills]

9 minutes ago, jda said:

 

If I ever write a book, I am going to have a chapter devoted to the idea that you can say anything that you want to people as long as you are 1). direct and 2. honest.  I also agree that passive aggressive, hyperbole, saying things for effect and all of that is what gets most people in trouble.  Just honest and direct nearly never seems to make people mad.

 

So many people screw up the direct part and then compound it by saying some hyperbole or other backhanded stuff.  "Are we the slowest group EVER, or what, Guys?" is about the worst thing that you can say and many prefer this approach since they feel like it lets them off the hook... never works.  I usually go with "We need to speed this up..." no questions, no ambiguity, no anything... then take the lead.  If dude responds with a selfish comment, he gets another direct retort along the lines of "You don't get to enjoy the day at the expense of everybody else.  Let's get moving."  Told a guy once that "you be you" only works when nobody else is getting impacted - he was amazed by this idea and said nothing back, and did speed up.

 

Back in the days of "gentlemen," they used to give honest and direct critiques of each other and it was all OK.  Hard truths, if you will.  You only insulted them if you called them a liar or were not forthcoming yourself, usually through some sort of passive aggressive or dishonest means.

Great post, one of the best in a while. 👍🏼
 

There have always been the types of people who have no social skills, low EQ, and cannot communicate. So, they cause offense and unnecessarily escalate situations, or if they are more self-aware they just stop communicating because it is obviously ineffective. 
 

The hyperbole and exaggeration and righteous indignation is what pisses people off. “We are behind the group in front and need to speed up. Please play faster.” Totally fine, and likely to get your slow partner moving.
 

“Those idiots are playing so slow, they must love being out here for 5 hours, the dolts don’t even know how to use a cart.” Not fine. Say that to the wrong guy who wants to throw hands and you might eat your Vokey. 
 

The slow player isn’t an idiot. He’s playing slow. Keep it factual and direct and you stand a chance of him playing faster, and isn’t that what you want?

[jda]

The next chapter will be about how leading by example does not work - those who need the example nearly always lack some skill where they will not notice what is happening.  The ones who can/will notice somebody leading by example do not need you do do it... they get it already.

 

It is OK to head to the next tee, go first with a fast/quick routine and hit a shot.  "We are behind, I am on ready golf" is totally fine even if somebody had a birdie.  I do it on the greens too when I will go ahead and putt if somebody is taking too long with their routine and say "I am going to play why you work on that since we are behind."

 

You have to BOTH lead by example and also teach it with words - don't just expect others to notice.  Again, I have found that nearly everybody is OK with this and can be led... if you are direct and honest.

[Bad9]

13 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

The funny thing is when you inquire of the guy who takes 5 practice swings he tells you he doesn't want to make the real swing until he's made a good practice swing.  Odds are if he chose to take the real shot after a bad practice swing he'd probably hit a great shot.  He ain't executing two good swings back to back.

 

I don't take practice swings as I don't have many good swings in me and I don't want to waste one.

[chippa13]

As much as I enjoy watching the Masters, I can't stand the pretentiousness of Augusta National.

Spoiler

 

Edited May 17 by chippa13

[bcjim]

On 5/15/2025 at 4:36 PM, mshills said:

Practice swings are not only unhelpful, they are actively harmful. 

Breed, the other day was going on about practice swings vs rehersing your swing.  He seemed OK with the latter and I agree.  On chips and pitches, i find it absolutely useful to rehearse the motion and get the ground in the right place before hitting the ball.  Full practice swings are not that useful,  i will agree there. 

[Haroputt]

Focus on closed fist or open palm grip for good striking in the long game.  Concentrate on the Vs or knuckles is gonna cause hand pain unless the intentions are for hooking or punching the ball 

Edited May 18 by Haroputt

[DJDJ]

21 hours ago, bcjim said:

Breed, the other day was going on about practice swings vs rehersing your swing.  He seemed OK with the latter and I agree.  On chips and pitches, i find it absolutely useful to rehearse the motion and get the ground in the right place before hitting the ball.  Full practice swings are not that useful,  i will agree there. 

Agree. I assumed he meant full swings. Practice swings for distance feel on chips, pitches and putts are helpful imo.

 

i don’t take them on full swings 

[mshills]

Yep, I meant the full swing practice swing. It’s not a PoP thing, it’s a myth buster thing. “I have such a great, perfect practice swing!” No you don’t. If your sequencing is no good in your golf swing it’s the same in your practice swing. Furthermore, you take most who think they have an awesome practice swing and put them on Trackman…..you’ll find clubface open 30* right and low point all over the place swing to swing. The full swing practice swing does no good. 
 

On wedge play with uneven stances and different lies, the practice swing is totally helpful, that’s a different situation. 

Edited May 19 by mshills

[DJDJ]

I play with an older guy that takes a full practice swing on all shots. After 9 he gets tired and falls apart. I pointed out to him if he stopped the practice swings he wouldn’t get tired after 9. Tried it once and shot 5 better than average on the back….but of course now he’s back to the practice swings