Ok, I have to vent... I went practicing today. A guy arrives, and starts practicing in front of me. Pretty good player, from what I saw. But I didn't really pay attention to him, I was busy with my practice session. After 30 minutes, he starts taking to me, telling me that I'm hitting the ball great. Thanks, but actually it's my worst practice session in 6 months :) What is a man to do in this situation? Try to fix the problem of course :)
He started telling me that my swing was really flat and that I was bringing to club too much inside and then making a loop to come down more upright and... Oh boy. Not a way to start a pleasant conversation, criticizing my every move. I told him that yes my swing is flat and that my coach doesn't want to change it (me neither, as a matter of fact). To which he looked at me with pity saying "oh, I understand, because it's grooved..." No, because it works for me. Because every swing is different. Just look at the PGA tour. Some are one planers, some are really upright on their backswing. As for issues with my swing, I'm aware of them and I'm working on them :)
I'm all for chatting with fellow golfers on the range, and we can talk about many things, and our favorite courses and stuff, but the impromptu swing lesson, that's a real turn off... Do you sometimes experience the same thing? Have you ever met a guy who thinks that his duty is to help you fix your swing, which is obviously flawed, especially if you didn't ask him for any advice? I thought I had the issue because I'm a woman, but it happened to my husband as well...
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HIGH_LANDER
7/15/2010 11:11:33 PM NICE READ |
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cogolfer1
7/12/2010 10:59:38 AM Nice read |
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jtap
2/26/2010 7:13:59 PM Nothing wrong with free advice... unless your playing the guy for money! |
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Brando
2/24/2010 3:48:14 PM I agree some players have no right to comment on other swings... and I am no pro but the other week I was playing with a guy that I saw a BIG issue with his swing mechanics... politely I asked if he wanted advice. He said "sure!" and after a few pointers he was hitting the ball 60-80 yards further off the tee and couldn't believe how I "transformed" his game. ;^) I recommend sponging off any player better than you... believe me, if they are better than you... they know something you don't! This game is a long learning process. |
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LindseyM
2/24/2010 10:28:09 AM Right on sister! My husband is teaching me the game, and that's already enough, but he'll go off somewhere and leave me and I'll get swormed with people (men) who want to put their two cents in on how to help me. In my mind I'm thinking, really, cause I just saw you slice it 100yards and you want to give me advice. I'm new but come on. |
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markwenholz
2/23/2010 8:26:41 AM In my opinion there is nothing wrong with free advice. Whether you take it or not is up to you but getting frustrated should not happen. Let me ask you this, would you have the same reaction if you knew the person telling you what you were doing wrong was a pro? The reason I ask is because I have a friend who is better than me. He plays to about a 2 handicapp compared to my 4.1. He was on the range about 4 months ago and a guy came up to him and started talking to him and working on a few things. After about an hour the guy left without saying who he was or anything. I talked to my friend about who he might have been since he himself hit the ball great. My friend saw his picture in a magazine the next day and it turned out to be Hunter Mahan from the PGA Tour. So, guess to make a long story short. Take any free advice you can get whether it is good or bad. You just have to choose to listen to it or not. And hit em good of course!! |
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pjcedog
2/22/2010 2:42:59 PM I basically just ignore people like that. |
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PISC
2/22/2010 12:54:25 PM SY.......I even struggle with feedback from ANYONE other then a qualified professional....to many different theories blah blah blah.....yes our quest is to get better, BUT we are not going to make a living at it, so I say hit your ball with that flat swing chase it hit it again and here is the key, have FUN doing it! |
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bmoody16
2/17/2010 1:19:12 PM Anyone who really knows what they are doing will not try to fix someone's swing like that. The only advice I ever give people are basic principles; things about balance or pre-shot routines (and address position). They are the key elements anyway. If you get those right, the shape of your swing, etc isn't as vital. Someone said something about only taking advice from people who know your game. That is very true. I have a friend I play with a lot. We help each other some (very little, but some), but we both know each other's games. This is especially true with short game and putting advice. No one else knows your line, unless they know how you putt. |
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memike
2/17/2010 11:40:24 AM To the nosy bystander: If I want your advice I will ask for it |
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memike
2/17/2010 11:30:55 AM I agree Sylla. While at the range with my 5 yr. old a gentleman told me that I really need to get him some lessons because in his opinion my son's swing was amazing. I told him that lessons will be made available to him IF that's something he decides in the future. I want golf to be something fun for him and me. Yes....He does have talent but that talent is no good if there is no love or desire. For the time being I will just enjoy every minute we spend together and look forward to making more memories. -Mike |
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DrUtley
2/15/2010 10:18:44 AM remember, those who can, do; and those who can't, teach!!! I use the IPOD method as well. I rarely have the power on, but always have the ear phones in my ears. It blocks out a lot of the ambient noise, and gives you an excuse to ignore meat-heads. |
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cogolfer1
2/15/2010 9:46:32 AM Haven't had anything like that but one time I went to the range and I picked my spot that was next to this Asian guy and when I get set up and made a few swings he just comes right behind me and starts watching me and smiling. WTF? I don't react to him at all and keep swinging but he just keeps watching me. Then he looks at me at different angles until going a few stalls down where he hits balls from there that aren't his. He watches me, goes to his stall, and repeats this odd cycle as I grow more and more insane. |
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greenjacket13
8/28/2009 6:27:48 PM Yeah some people barely say a word but a couple of times while playing these guys would go on to tell me everything they were learning from their pro. I know they had good intentions but I have enough to worry about without their input. Then I just get more frustrated when I need to just tune them out and focus. Some people have no clue and I just chalk it up as them being, what I find, annoying. to worry about without their input. Then I just get more frustrated when I need to just tune them out and focus. Some people have no clue and I just chalk it up as them being, what I find, annoying. |
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phifedawg
8/5/2009 2:31:18 PM I try to stay away from it and talk about the nice courses around NYC, golf trips, equipment, great buys, and the like. That being said, I'm usually the one giving advice, but I never initiate it. If the guy/girl asks me to look at their swing, then I'll say something. And especially if a girl asks, I'll be more than happy to "show" her the correct swing. Otherwise, I shut the hell up.the guy/girl asks me to look at their swing, then I'll say something. And especially if a girl asks, I'll be more than happy to "show" her the correct swing. Otherwise, I shut the hell up. |