Golf Games for Different Abilities?

Question

Does anyone have any ideas on a more suitable game for 4 people with big differences in abilities.

I Play in a regular 4 ball and 3 of us are alright. The fourth player is not so good, we love his company and his higher handicapp in no way impedes our round but we were looking for a game that he would enjoy. Even with Match-play and giving him a 28 Handicapp he struggles to stay in touch and therefore ends up picking his ball up. Don't get me wrong, sometimes he beats us easily it's just that he usually doesn't have a chance in maybe 16 out of 18 holes.

Please don't offer golfing tips as this guy is nearly 70 and is unlikely to change now. I was just hoping someone out there knows of a game or system that would enable him to feel like he's part of the game.

My Handicapp - 12.2

Player 2 - 16.1

Player 3 - 16.9

Player 4 - 28

Thank You in advance

We have already tried putting me + him together, but he ends up trying to play like me and gets frustrated which makes it worse

Answer 1

Wolf would be a good game to play in this situation (with full handicaps).  Each player gets to be wolf on successive holes (you at #1, player 2 @#2, player 3 @#3 etc).  Wolf  hits first and after everyone has teed off he gets to pick his partner for that hole.  Then you play better ball.  If your high handicap buddy hits the fairway and is getting one or two shots on that hole you might want him over a lower handicapper who is in trouble and not getting a stroke.  This makes the high handicapper of great value sometimes and includes him more in the game.  Every four holes he gets to pick who he wants as a partner which puts him in control of that hole.  The last two holes, whoever is down the most gets to be Wolf.  

Another way to play it when you have three pretty close players and one quite a bit worse is throw the handicaps out the window, you three play scratch, and you just give him two strokes per hole except on par threes where he only gets one stroke.  He will stop trying to play up to your games and realize that he is a threat anytime he is putting for bogey/net birdie.  You'll find that you end up with a lot of ties (which carryover) and that makes it fun when you are playing for three or four bets on one hole.  We usually play a buck a hole, but you can make them worth anything you want.

There are a million variations of this game, but pretty universal is that if you forget to pick a partner (before anyone hits their second shot) then you have to go alone against the better ball of the other three.  You can also play a scotch game after the partners are picked, you can let the team not picked press the bet and then you can press them back (presses come off at the end of the hole) it just depends on how much action you want.  We also play that if you are Wolf and you don't like where the other three hit their drive you can go alone, go alone and double the bet, or if you are down or in a wagering mood, you can quad the bet when you are Wolf, but you have to do that before you tee off.

Have fun Oooowwww!!!

Answer 2

You could try changing partners every six holes so he gets to play with everyone as a partner during the round.

Answer 3

Scramble, both players playing the best ball.  

Low handicap with the high handicap vs the middle two.  

Try to get the higher handicap to hit first. If he seems unwilling to hit first, even if you are using your ball, get something from you bag or say something to another partner then say “ready golf” or “fire when ready”. Talk strategy, like “lay up short, trouble long” or “stay away form ______”. Keep him involved, be encouraging.

Consider putting 50 cents a hole on it, motivation may help. I would play scramble skins, with no role over, you will push most of the time, it may cost someone $2.    

Most golfers deal with this situation, playing with people that simply can’t golf, or are no longer able, and it can be very difficult.

Above all golf is a gentleman’s game. When someone hits a very bad shot, don’t give tips, walk or ride to his ball, talk strategy again, change the subject, anything. When he hits a good shot, just say “nice shot”, don’t sound patronizing.

My dad is 76, still a very good player, but he does have trouble, and he gets very frustrated. I ask him what club I should hit, how the putt breaks, he likes to talk about my strategy. We still have a good time.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Play a points game:

Double Bogey = Pick up ball = 0 points

Bogey = 1 point

Par = 2 points

Birdie = 4 point.

Eagle = 8 Points

You would have to pull 24 points

Player 2 = 20

Player 3 = 19

Player 4 = 8 points.

Who ever get the closest or most over their points wins.

Even better to draw names out of a hat in the end and pair off as teams.

Answer 5

You could alternate shots. Say player one hits the tee off, player two hits next shot, and so on... I don't know how much he would like it. I find it very enjoyable and like seeing how low we can get our round.

I hope you find something that works for him, I would hate for him to hate such a enjoyable game.

-Golfer Girl-