How do you deal with people who try to s***w with your head while playing golf?

Question

We all have had this kind of person in the past. People who would comment or do something that can really break your momentum.

What do you do?

Answer 1

Golf is not really a game against other people is is a game against yourself. This is where the pre-shot routine comes in handy.

If someone has made a comment to disrupt you. Start your pre-shot routine again. Part of the routine should include a focusing exercise of some kind during which you see the shot you are about to make and you start to block out the external sounds and influences, if someone interrupts this then start it again.

In the final analysis is is you against the course so anyone else who is there should not even be part of your playing.

Answer 2

there is two ways to deal with this situation. 1) used this kind of behavior as your mental test. when they said something negative that you can't make this 4 foot putt. You tell yourself that you can make it and sink  it. This way you can stay focus on what you doing and not what they're saying too you. When a person say something to you as set up to putt or hit your next shot. Always back off and clear what ever they said from your mind and step back up to putt or hit your shot. Just remember golf have alot to do with your mental ability to play the game.

2) simple solution is not to play with them again. since you like to relax and enjoy the game.

Answer 3

As normal as this sounds,I've found through personal experience that usually if ask this person to stop they usually do. If however they don't stop,and if you are strong enough mentally then you can block out this person's comments or actions. For some reason neither of these work for you then find a another playing partner,or take up another hobby such as needlepoint so you don't get distracted.

Answer 4

You have to learn to block them out and not let them get to you.  Try to ignore them and not be available to receive their comments.  Like if you hit first off the tee, as soon as they hit their ball start walking to your next shot and get out of ear-shot ASAP.  Don't look at them - they will find it difficult to speak to you if you are twenty yards away and not looking at them.  But when they hit a good shot always be the better person and compliment them by saying "Nice shot" or a simple "shot" and then move on again right away.

Another thing  you can do is politely ask them to be quiet.  One of the better players (2 handicap) at my club is a chatterer.  He doesn't do it on purpose to rattle anyone, he just never shuts up - it is his nature whether playing golf or anything else, he just talks constantly to hear his own voice.  Before an important round if I know I am paired with him I will just simple say - this is an important round to me and I really need to concentrate so please don't think I'm being rude but could you not talk to me today?  I really appreciated it.

As far as trash talking goes I am old school and find it extremely poor sportsmanship in any sport, but particularly offensive in golf.

Answer 5

Since you know its coming, practice for it.  Your on the range, they just said something to you when you were preparing to hit a tee shot or make a key putt.  Can you hit your shot anyway?  Get some of your real friends to razz you as practice, and work through it.  There is no better way to silence them than to hit a drive straight down the middle or to sink that key putt.

Answer 6

Personally, I can't stand trash talkers who pull B.S. like that.  I'd ask them nicely to cut it out.....the first time.  If they keep it up, I'd tell them to S.T.F.U. and then I'd never play in a pairing with them again.  I never would've been able to play a round with Lee Trevino.  =)

Etiquette is a part of golf that some people just don't seem to understand.

Answer 7

I personally use whatever comment or action that is distracting as motivation to strike the perfect shot. When it works out, I just give them a smart alecky look and move on.

Answer 8

hit them with a nine iron

Answer 9

Actions speak louder than words ever can, just go out there and kick the tar out of him/her on the course.  It's pretty hard to talk trash when you are losing by more than ten strokes.

Answer 10

Ignore them.  Golf is a mental game where it is important to tune out all distractions and focus on what you are doing on the course, not what they are saying to you between shots.  These people are trying to apply undue pressure on your game...and it sounds like they have accomplished their goal.  Focus on what you are doing, not what they are saying.

Answer 11

Develop a pre-shot routine and it doesn't matter what anyone else does.  You do the same thing each time before you hit any shot then it's all on you.

Answer 12

You just simply ignore them and only listen to the nature sounds

Answer 13

Step on their ball when they're not looking.

Answer 14

Apparently there are more saints in golf than I ever realized. If you don't have a certain level of competitive conversation in your weekly four ball, you're there for the scenery. I don't buy all of these responses. Man's ego, his competitive nature, does not allow for this casual complacency in golf. Intentional coughing, intentional flatulence, intentional movements, intentional rolling of change in the pocket, are all unacceptable. Conversation is part of golf.

Answer 15

People will only do to you what you let them do to you.

Concentration is very important in golf.  Competitively, I have had people rip their golf, slam their club in the bag, clear their throat, rattle change or walk on dry leaves as I start my back swing.  It use to upset me and it took me a while to get past it.  I knew most were doing it because that was the only thing they could do to sidetrack me.  It normally starts happening when I am hitting fairways, greens, and putts.  I turned the negative into a positive, now I take it a a compliment.  Before I approach the ball, I remind myself to put the "Rabbit Ears" away.  It's me, the ball, and my target.  It doesn't work all the time, but it work more often than not.

After it's all over, I take off my hat, shake their hand, and comment about their distraction in a polite way.  Basically says, I noticed, it didn't work, get a game.

Mind over matter.  Good luck.

Answer 16

dont play with them  and if you do you have to learn to tune them out

Answer 17

Not play with them again. If you do then it's your fault!!

Answer 18

Play as much golf with them as possible.  Eventually, you will become immune to the distraction.  Psychological manipulation is a valuable tool for any athlete at any level, amateur or pro- anyone that tries to tell you that it has no place in golf is someone that can't deal with it themselves.

If you want to take your game to the highest level possible, distractions like this are something you will have to recognize and overcome.  Golf is 90% mental, 10% physical- if you can be beaten by an opponent mentally, any physical talents or gifts you have won't save you.

Answer 19

I must admit that I am quite naughty when it comes to doing this. My regular playing partner is a 14 handicapper but has the potential to play off 4/5.

On the odd occassion when he is hitting the ball really clean and I know i'm in for a tough round i'll start off by just passin the odd comment like

"Oh, I hate these 4 footers, you can never quite judge them"

or

"I'm suprised by that last shot, I was expecting better"

These invariably p**s's him off which knocks him out of his stride.

I understand that what you want to know is how to combat these types of players (Me included!!)

Well my playing partner always says that once he hits a great shot, he turns to me and says stuff like

"Come on then big mouth, beat that"

I normally fail, which leads to him reversing the roles and ribbing me.

So my advice is to turn the tables and start trash talking back. Your opponent will either shut up or they will crumble, either way you have won.

Answer 20

Ignore 'em, or give it back.  Most people who needle their playing partners are insecure about some part of they're own game.  

Here's a tip: if someone is giving you c**p, on the next tee box say "Do you always take your club that far back when you swing?"  That'll make him think about it, possibly s******g him up.  Just ask it nonchalantly.  Or you can give 3 footers for a few hole until you're tied or winning, then stop doing it.  That'll rattle the person when it's important.  

Don't feel bad about it, either.  It's called "gamesmanship".  If they wanna give, but can't take it, they aren't worth playing with, anyway.

Answer 21

if  people use these tactics  , ignore it . they dont have the mental or physical skills to play without cheating . which is what it is , they cant play the way they want , envious of other people abilities . but all you here is about the great imagined score  or shot they  may have been lucky . they ruin your game through thier own inferiority . try not to play with people like this . if you have to play with one . carry a mp3 player  or mutter under your breath in some non langauge  this works