Gamesmanship? Is it OK, or non-pc?

Question

Okay, one for ropehater.

Is the fine art of psychological manipulation of your opponent still a viable tool, or are we expected as competitors to refrain from getting into the other guys head?

Answer 1

True gamesmanship should not be noticed.

If you can psychologically get in someone's head, and they can't even tell its going on, that is the best kind of gamesmanship, and the most effective.

You can't come across as a jerk, condescending, arrogant, or anything like that.  It has to be very smooth but psychologically devestating.

An example would be, let's say your partner hits it in the woods.  If you say, "Hey, I think I saw it kick out...but I'm not sure"          Man, that'll disappoint him when he finds that thing deep in the woods.

- Or imagine if he has an uphill shot to the green.  He has a great line, but you KNOW it is probably long.  Say, "dang, that should be Tight!"          Once again, he's going to be disappointed.

Answer 2

If you can't beat the other guy fair and square and have to resort to it you shouldn't be playing.

Having said that Seve (who I love) was a master of gamesmanship at the Ryder Cup.  For example he used to develop a cough when the other guy was hitting, and once questioned Azinger's type of ball in the fourballs (you must use the one type) in order to put him off.

Answer 3

I think it depends on the situation and your goals. In a friendly round with your regular foursome, you probably have to exercise some restraint -- especially if you want to keep getting invited back. And you probably don't want to do it to a group of strangers.

On the other hand, in a competitive environment, it's not only ok, it's expected. Golf is a mental game, and being mentally tough is part of the competition..

Answer 4

Gamesmanship is alive and well and I also find it fun to be the recipient of the subtle art in a well played match.  That being said, if you are going to engage in it make sure you have the game to back it up.  Nothing is more tasteless than hack trying

to go mental while he looks for another ball gone o.b.

Answer 5

Gamesmanship is a definite part of playing golf for money. Just keep it subtle and non-personal. To be overt is not gentlemanly.

Answer 6

Personally I think that gamesmanship is great as long as it is done with integrity. I.E. the trash talking that is displayed in basketball and football has no place in golf. However, I have a friend that I play with alot and we are fairly close in skill level, sometimes we have a little match going and its close and we both may make offhand comments to fluster the other. A great example would be to say something like, you have really hit your drives good today, usually you slice a couple but I see you have that figured out. Now more often than not his next drive will slice because you have planted the seed of doubt. Mentally, watch the pga, the guys that play with tiger are behind the 8 ball from the beginning as the crowds are huge around him, and he is all business, which un nerves most of them.

Answer 7

It has and probably always will be part of the game - especially in match play, but you must remember that golf is a gentleman's game.  Trash talking is in very poor taste, but conceeding three footers through the first 12 holes or so and then making them putt them at the end of the match is all part of the game.  No cheap shots though like making noise etc.

Answer 8

Gamesmanship is fine, but there is definitely a line.

Answer 9

Still and always will be viable.  Its an art form.   You must know your opponents' psyche (I see Sean Connery in a movie I cannot recall where he's an old guy teaching a protege' here).

Answer 10

I learned at an early age that I was not going to be physically intimidating. I also learned that most of those that could be physically intimidating will do that. Therefore, I developed my own subtle source of gamesmanship. Just simply plant a seed and let it grow. It's beautiful when it comes to fruition and the big guy never gets it.

Answer 11

This is still very much a part of the game. Whether ametuer or professional, it still goes on. I see it all the time when I am playing with others. I still use it on my buddies as well.

It could be a simple comment before they get up to swing or it could be in a style of play. Opponents see when you are taking an aggressive shot or not.