[arindiruppyr]

I always seem to play worse when I play with my dad. I like to impress him and then I go and shoot 81 when I shot 74 a week ago. It probably comes down to pressure but it's not a good excuse.

[fetesiceWaist]

I usually play by myself and have way to much time to focus on the past shot or the shot at hand and just don't focus as I should. I enjoy getting paired up with some random golfer because I feel you get in a better rhythm. My only round under 80 came earlier this year playing with a good friend. We talked sports, women, beer more than golf. When I arrived at my ball, I focused for that 30 seconds to hit and then back to the BSing. I never looked at the scorecard or was concerned how the round was going. Conversely, I played with work buddies for the first time last week and pressed so hard to score good that I shot the worst for the year and totally embarased myself. Funny thing is I hadn't beat my first friend in 10 years and I layed it to him and the guys from work who I wanted to beat kicked my arse.

[Oberjej]

I've lost my regular playing buddies (mostly by choice) because one has absolutely no golf etiquette, and the other likes to gamble and doesn't play well unless something is riding on the outcome. The "no etiquette" guy follows internet sports betting on his smart phone during rounds, and I've caught him building a freaking sand castle in a trap in order to improve his lie - nothing better than teeing up your ball on a turret. I just tossed him a tee and told him it would be easier. No sense in telling him what he was doing was a 2 stroke penalty.

So I've taken to playing alone or just going out and meeting up with another group that needs a 3rd or a 4th. I like to play rounds that are fun and where people encourage one another. My game is maddeningly inconsistent and I can shoot anywhere from 40 to 57 per nine holes. But give me someone who's somewhat conversational, is serious about their game, even if they aren't that great a shot maker, and who is courteous and knows golf etiquette, and I'm good.

[NumDusthouh]

Used to golf with one guy from work regularly but he suddenly gave up golf entirely. Then last year I had a couple guys from work I went out with but they have not picked up their clubs yet this year so I have been booking on as a single and golfing with whoever.

One thing I always do is keep the golf talk on the course as positive as possible. The first way is calling a good shot a good shot, no matter who makes it. Apart from that just let the other guys play their game. Everyone I have been paired with so far has been pleasant and enjoyable company and we have had a good time during our round. The most fun i ever had was with my old buddy. We got paired up wit a couple of older guys one day and showed them how to play the course we were on. Both of them played one of the best rounds they ever played and we had a really fun round because of it.

I try hard to stay positive and relaxed and help keep my playing partners positive and having fun as well. I also try to maintain a routine and find that helps me get focused and ready to play the next shot. I try to have a focus for each round - right now it's on making good decisions and reducing/controlling blow up holes. I did that well in the last round. Once I have that down its on to making more 1 putts. Shouldn't be too hard, I am pretty good with a putter.

[LillyPlay]

I couldn't care less how good or not my playing partners are, one day I'll shoot 90 and 75 the next. I do get nervous playing with complete strangers who are much better than me though, I feel like I'm holding them back and end up playing terrible because of it.

[DuesTyr]

I find I play a lot better when I play with people a lot better than I am. I also play better when something is on the line, even if it is only a dollar or a beer.

I think that is just the competitive drive that I have always had in other sports growing up.. (Only been playing golf for a few years).

[Endatrybeeddy]

I do my worst when playing with younger guys that can hit a lot farther than me. I try to kill it and put it in the woods or do the 5 step walk of shame to get the ball I just hit.

[affewheillMapew]

saturday i played 18 with my one friend who is just getting into golf. he is really driven and is really starting to improve and is open to any/all help. he never gets all that worked up or frustrated over much either, which is a great quality. his average now is probably 55-60 per 9 holes. i have no problems playing with him. he can be a little slow at times though. our round on saturday was fun, i shot well and it took about 4 hours...which is still too long for 2 people IMO.

sunday he wanted to meet up with his friends and play a different course. his friends were worse than he was, but i didn't know this going in. he said he wanted to see me kick their arses, so i figured maybe they were good. wrong. it was awful...the round took a grueling 5 hours that felt like 8. there were times that i'd hit my drive and not get to hit my approach shot for another 10-15 minutes. if i told you it didn't affect my play, i'd be lying...but only a little bit. i still tried to stay within myself and play my own game. i ended up not playing all that great, but shot about to my average, but man was it rough to watch and witness. never again...

[XVzrlWIv]

Like it was said elsewhere, I am too old to care about the ability of anyone playing with me. I try to focus all ,my attention on my game. That being said, the best rounds I have is when I am out with my younger son. He's 24, plays to a 7 or so and just just hits the ball a mile. It is totally relaxing, we give each other tons of crap, although lately he dishes it out a lot more than me. On a recent round, on a 145 yd par 3 he asks, dead face serious..."So old man, driver on this hole?"

[ådrrraj]

I've noticed that I play much better when I am with my friend jason but when I play with my other friend Tim and the bosses, I get really nervous and suck. Last week I didn't find but one fairway. I don't know if it's the competition or what exactly but it's hard to play with some people and when I play with people I don't know it's even worse!