Played with a "pro" yesterday.

[Terry Gold]

Also the difference is, a slow marathon runners' performance doesn't impact the leaders in anyway where a 12 handicap trying to compete in a pro event will most likely affect his playing partners who might be trying to grind out a living.

 

If someone can't handle the stress of playing with someone else, then they don't deserve to play well.

 

 

Also the difference is, a slow marathon runners' performance doesn't impact the leaders in anyway where a 12 handicap trying to compete in a pro event will most likely affect his playing partners who might be trying to grind out a living.

 

If someone can't handle the stress of playing with someone else, then they don't deserve to play well.

 

Says the guy who 'HATES HATES HATES playing with strangers'.

 

By the way, I'm printing up 1000 "Marathons are Avant Garde!" bumper stickers if anyone here wants one.

 

Wow.

[ConcentricDimples]

Also the difference is, a slow marathon runners' performance doesn't impact the leaders in anyway where a 12 handicap trying to compete in a pro event will most likely affect his playing partners who might be trying to grind out a living.

 

If someone can't handle the stress of playing with someone else, then they don't deserve to play well.

 

 

Also the difference is, a slow marathon runners' performance doesn't impact the leaders in anyway where a 12 handicap trying to compete in a pro event will most likely affect his playing partners who might be trying to grind out a living.

 

If someone can't handle the stress of playing with someone else, then they don't deserve to play well.

 

Says the guy who 'HATES HATES HATES playing with strangers'.

 

By the way, I'm printing up 1000 "Marathons are Avant Garde!" bumper stickers if anyone here wants one.

 

Wow.

 

Yeah that's right, I hate it. But if I'm playing I a tournament, I suck up my soup and take it like a man.

 

An yep, marathons are for the cool kids.

 

 

If you call what people do in marathons "running," then firing a 90 at a qualifier may as well be good golf.

 

 

Again, the lying man who was beaten by our scratch OP would probably have been equally-obnoxious if he represented himself as an amateur.

 

I do not dispute he allegedly lies, is not maybe a great golfer, is loud, etc. but the fact he calls himself a pro is of trivial significance TO ME.

 

I've also played with (also descriptor being in reference to previous past where I noted I've played with "pros") pros who are probably a +2 at least. Declared pros, one of whom does not make any money.

 

as much as I can try to see this from OP's perspective, my opinion/perception of the +2 not-good-enough-to-make-money-but-still-trying pro and the one who was probably a 15 handicap is not different, as far as what I might think about the representation as "pro."

 

 

Next time a WRXer plays with him, kindly direct him to this thread. Also tell him you don't enjoy his company and would prefer to play alone.

 

Tell HIM about his swing flaws, and tell HIM about your golf resume. Remind HIM he is a liar, and you are better, and that he should quit playing golf.

 

See how that works out. I'm sure it'll be real cordial. You two might exchange holiday gifts for years to come.

[ExProGoingBack]

One word to above... wow

[ConcentricDimples]

Wait wait wait wait wait. Is he fit and handsome? SoCal? Does he drive a cart?

 

 

He may have played through me at the Cascades course in LA in summer of 2003.

 

 

This guy had the vague look of Rocco Mediate (sort of; only briefly saw him with shades on, but kind of darker complexion). Fancy wheels. Clearly wealthy.

[ClintDagger]

I had something similar happen to me at a resort course a couple years ago. I was playing as a single so I took an afternoon tee time during the heat of the day. Starter tells me he's putting another single with me. Guy pulls up with a Nike staff bag (one of those neon yellow jobs from a few years ago) and has his name on it. He birdies the first hole, tells me on the 2nd tee he's a Champions Tour rookie. Also makes a remark about the course we're playing being in nice condition but not really challenging enough for him. The rest of the front side he proceeds to make nothing better than bogey. Duffing chips and raking them back, missing short putts and raking them back. A couple of holes into the back nine he hits about his 7th straight duck hook with the driver and tells me his wrist is injured and he's going to quit so he doesn't make it worse. After the round I'm heading to my villa which is not far from the driving range and I see him and his neon bag out there beating balls. Guys like this are everywhere I think. I remember encountering them in my junior golf days of the late 90s. It's nothing new.

[Richardcabeeza]

I was paired up with a "pro" once at a course with a 76 course rating. He was a "pro," not really a pro.

 

He was getting ready for a (then) buy.com Monday qualifier.

 

Whatever, ya know. Everyone's gotta do what they want to try in life.

 

To me, it's no less lame than the fad of competing in marathons, finishing whatever 2 hours behind the leaders, getting a participation medal and posting that and your marathon photos on Facebook like it's all noble and cutting-edge.

 

Both are actually pathetic, but yet since one is considered edgy, we have to give aspiring golfers the same level of respect and praise their often failed pursuits at their dreams.

 

I'll be contrary on this one. No we do not. Not at all. If you claim to be a pro and a decent (+1-3HC) golfer spanked your behind playing his usual par game on easy courses, you deserve to feel a little heat. Especially if you're sitting at plus 8 at the turn. Those rounds can happen, don't get me wrong, but to watch one where you know the guy is much more capable is entirely different than to watch someone that has no clue how to score claims That they're a "pro". I see if it way too often, usually laughably so. If you're a pro, great! Play like one. If you're not, don't tell me you are then proceed to give me advice for the next four hours when I beat you by 12 (without cheating). I'll go on record and say that a credentialed pro will not lose to me more than one every blue moon. When that happens I can see they are having a bad day. The usual "pro" that I tee up with has no chance of being within five of par. Easy courses too. The few I've played with, my jaw is generally creating divots. The ones that claim they are that can shoot 90, I'd rather they just introduce themselves on the first tee and state "I usually shoot 90 but can have a decent round". I feel a lot better and I bet if they'd say that one the first tee, they'd play better. Doh!

 

So for you someone representing themselves as a pro is more noxious than someone running a marathon and posting their participation medal?

 

You seem to be just responding to the golf part (which is fine) but on that note would you be any less ticked off if someone representing themselves as an AMATEUR was giving you unwanted advice, while you were beating them on the course?

 

 

It seems we all take pride in beating someone on the course, and nobody likes unsolicited advice about really anything, on or off the course.

 

 

But the question is if callling yourself a pro, isolated from bad golf and unsolicited advice, is especially vexing? Why is one person's description of them self especially upsetting to another person?

 

Is it more rewarding to know you beat an amateur, or a wannabe pro?

 

 

Should it be rewarding to beat ANYBODY, anywhere, if you didn't hoist the Claret Jug today?

 

 

 

 

Sentiment like this is why I HATE HATE HATE playing with strangers. Just no.

 

Not sure what sentiment you didn't like. I simply don't like liars of any size shape or form and presenting yourself as a pro golfer when you clearly aren't is lying. Plain and simple.

 

I don't care how good or bad a golfer is when I get paired with them (to a point anyways, if you're going to shoot 150 I'm pretty sure my round would be ruined trying to help them look for balls all the time and waiting, but I've had great times with golfers that have shot in the 100's before. I would rather play with someone that tells me they stink and shoot an honest 110 then to play with someone who announces that they're a pro and shoots a 90. Unless it's Club Pro or Assistant and then that's another thing entirely. I'd even be more apt to listen to advice from them even if I was beating them since they at least generally know what they're talking about. Why present yourself as something you're not?

[JumboJack]

I want to meekly point out that I just found the whole situation odd. It doesn't effect me one way or the other and I really don't care how good or bad the guy was.

[PostandGhost]

I played with a scratch golfer this weekend and he shot a 89, guess he had a bad day.

 

Wait... Is your name Doug by chance?

[Blues Golfer]

I was paired up with a "pro"...(edited)

 

To me, it's no less lame than the fad of competing in marathons, finishing whatever 2 hours behind the leaders, getting a participation medal and posting that and your marathon photos on Facebook like it's all noble and cutting-edge.

 

Both are actually pathetic, but yet since one is considered edgy, we have to give aspiring golfers the same level of respect and praise their often failed pursuits at their dreams.

Running marathons to finish a marathon is not lame. The training and preparation are arduous, and to anyone who can complete 26.2, in any time, congratulations.

 

I agree playing in a professional tournament you can pay your way into is hardly notable.

 

The difference between them is that everyone who got a marathon finishers medal COMPLETED 26.2 miles - they didn't pay for the medal.

 

Please be careful about denigrating what most people don't even attempt.

 

[ConcentricDimples]

Same goes for half-marathon participation medals.

[BeerPerHole]

Interesting thread worth a total read.

 

I once got paired w a pro bodybuilder (Mr O contender). He opened up about the steroid business and I learned about the NBA... Once got paired w a retired bull rider and he had some great advice about neck injuries.

 

Never paired w a pro golfer though. I have met a couple infamous local golf hustlers, though. Pretty funny...

[dcfas]

I think Kevin Streelman ? said right here on the wrx that many guys he plays with just don't seem all that impressive, with one caveat: they can get up and down from ANYWHERE. I have played with some mini tour former pros who don't hit it a mile, don't use blades, don't even have impressive ball flights. But I could not hang with them because their short game put me to shame. They just seem to get the ball in the hole, quickly. Lol.

[ConcentricDimples]

Same goes for half-marathon participation medals.

 

And 5Ks.

 

What is impressive to one is not impressive to another.

 

Don't defacate on one's pursuit of a passion and/or dream.

 

I respect marathon runners for following their dreams, despite the fact it is horrible on the body and repeated marathons can lead to cardiac muscle damage.

 

Some collapse from dehydration. Some convulse. Some die trying. I don't respect that, doing an activity with zero purpose.

 

But I do respect playing tournament golf, both for Tour players and 36-caps alike.

 

Playing golf as a wannabe pro should not be denigrated either, and is no less noble than subjecting yourself to pain just to finish a 26.2 mile long nonsensical exercise of energy expenditure and burning of body mass to fuel tired muscles in celebration of something early man NEVER did (run for four hours straight).

[Richardcabeeza]

Same goes for half-marathon participation medals.

 

And 5Ks.

 

What is impressive to one is not impressive to another.

 

Don't defacate on one's pursuit of a passion and/or dream.

 

I respect marathon runners for following their dreams, despite the fact it is horrible on the body and repeated marathons can lead to cardiac muscle damage.

 

Some collapse from dehydration. Some convulse. Some die trying. I don't respect that, doing an activity with zero purpose.

 

But I do respect playing tournament golf, both for Tour players and 36-caps alike.

 

Playing golf as a wannabe pro should not be denigrated either, and is no less noble than subjecting yourself to pain just to finish a 26.2 mile long nonsensical exercise of energy expenditure and burning of body mass to fuel tired muscles in celebration of something early man NEVER did (run for four hours straight).

 

I guess my thick noggin finally gets your point and I think we're arguing two different things. I think. I don't take so much exception with them presenting themselves as a pro, I might have (probably even so) read into what wasn't there and assumed that they were lying about being a pro. Since that's been my experience. Kind of like the guy that shot the 127 in the US Open qualifier. He checked the "pro" box so he wasn't required to present a valid handicap and the club he listed being a pro at had no record of him. That's the kind of situation I was envisioning.

 

I would hope that you wouldn't hate to be paired with me, although there's days I can't even stand myself... :) Have a pleasant evening.

[rangersgoalie]

I remember Alberto Salazar commenting after one of his victories.

He was shown people on the course that still had many, man miles to go, and he made a comment to the effect

of, they deserved credit. He was going full out for just over 2 hours, and they were going to have to run a lot longer.

He actually commented with a mix of amazement (maybe a little pity) at being happy he was done while they were still out there grinding!

[Mob]

A guy at my club played with Brooks Koepka at the BMW Pro-Am at Crooked Stick a few years ago. This guy is a hot or cold golfer and putts with his wedge. He asks Koepka if he wants to play for $50/hole (can't remember if strokes were involved, but I think not). Koepka did play the back tournament tees and the guy played the normal member tees. On the first hole, the guy sinks a 25 footer with his wedge, and proceeds to light it up. He beats Koepka by 6, and at the end of the round, asks Koepka for his $300; Koepka ignores him and walks to his car and leaves. Koepka even tweeted an acknowledgment of the bet when the guy sank the 25 foot putt on the first hole.

[beezer10]

Same goes for half-marathon participation medals.

 

And 5Ks.

 

What is impressive to one is not impressive to another.

 

Don't defacate on one's pursuit of a passion and/or dream.

 

I respect marathon runners for following their dreams, despite the fact it is horrible on the body and repeated marathons can lead to cardiac muscle damage.

 

Some collapse from dehydration. Some convulse. Some die trying. I don't respect that, doing an activity with zero purpose.

 

But I do respect playing tournament golf, both for Tour players and 36-caps alike.

 

Playing golf as a wannabe pro should not be denigrated either, and is no less noble than subjecting yourself to pain just to finish a 26.2 mile long nonsensical exercise of energy expenditure and burning of body mass to fuel tired muscles in celebration of something early man NEVER did (run for four hours straight).

 

Did your girlfriend leave you for a runner? I don't understand your frustration. I do understand your argument, but as someone who has run the NYC Marathon (in 5 hours...gasp!) and also competed in 4 US Mid Ams I can assure you that you are completely off base in comparing the two. To the point of being offensive almost. I am as proud of my finisher medal for NYC as I am my USGA Medals. My wife has a real corny shirt that I think was written for people like you. It reads "I'd rather be crazy than lazy"

[Jasonic]

How delusional do you have to be to think people are here to impress you? Weird

[Richardcabeeza]

How delusional do you have to be to think people are here to impress you? Weird

 

I'm very impressed by your post sir! I also remember reading somewhere a ways back that you were seriously jacked, and of course I'm super impressed by that too! :)

[playa]

I was paired up with a "pro" once at a course with a 76 course rating. He was a "pro," not really a pro.

 

He was getting ready for a (then) buy.com Monday qualifier.

 

Whatever, ya know. Everyone's gotta do what they want to try in life.

 

To me, it's no less lame than the fad of competing in marathons, finishing whatever 2 hours behind the leaders, getting a participation medal and posting that and your marathon photos on Facebook like it's all noble and cutting-edge.

 

Both are actually pathetic, but yet since one is considered edgy, we have to give aspiring golfers the same level of respect and praise their often failed pursuits at their dreams.

 

I'll be contrary on this one. No we do not. Not at all. If you claim to be a pro and a decent (+1-3HC) golfer spanked your behind playing his usual par game on easy courses, you deserve to feel a little heat. Especially if you're sitting at plus 8 at the turn. Those rounds can happen, don't get me wrong, but to watch one where you know the guy is much more capable is entirely different than to watch someone that has no clue how to score claims That they're a "pro". I see if it way too often, usually laughably so. If you're a pro, great! Play like one. If you're not, don't tell me you are then proceed to give me advice for the next four hours when I beat you by 12 (without cheating). I'll go on record and say that a credentialed pro will not lose to me more than one every blue moon. When that happens I can see they are having a bad day. The usual "pro" that I tee up with has no chance of being within five of par. Easy courses too. The few I've played with, my jaw is generally creating divots. The ones that claim they are that can shoot 90, I'd rather they just introduce themselves on the first tee and state "I usually shoot 90 but can have a decent round". I feel a lot better and I bet if they'd say that one the first tee, they'd play better. Doh!

 

So for you someone representing themselves as a pro is more noxious than someone running a marathon and posting their participation medal?

 

You seem to be just responding to the golf part (which is fine) but on that note would you be any less ticked off if someone representing themselves as an AMATEUR was giving you unwanted advice, while you were beating them on the course?

 

 

It seems we all take pride in beating someone on the course, and nobody likes unsolicited advice about really anything, on or off the course.

 

 

But the question is if callling yourself a pro, isolated from bad golf and unsolicited advice, is especially vexing? Why is one person's description of them self especially upsetting to another person?

 

Is it more rewarding to know you beat an amateur, or a wannabe pro?

 

 

Should it be rewarding to beat ANYBODY, anywhere, if you didn't hoist the Claret Jug today?

 

 

 

 

Sentiment like this is why I HATE HATE HATE playing with strangers. Just no.

So you would be ok with someone who failed and dropped out of med school calling themself a doctor?

[Scooterboy59]

I played with a guy the other day and he was 8 under thru 7 holes and finished at 10 under. I have also seen him shot 72 and even then you wonder how a guy that talented could shoot 72.

[ExProGoingBack]

The posts in this thread are getting weirder and weirder

[playar32]

What's the #1 thing you need to turn pro in golf?

 

Money.

 

What's the #1 thing you need to run a 5k/half/full marathon?

 

Money.

 

Point is, if have money you can do both of these things (I know you need certain times for certain marathons.) We probably all know "someone" who turned pro and can't break 90, and we all know "someone" who walked a half and has the medal. However, vast majority of people who do these events have some skill and that's at least an achievement.

 

This happens in a lot of other sports, i.e. bodybuilding was mentioned earlier, a lot of ppl compete in bodybuildng to see what kind of shape they can get into, doesn't mean they can all be Phil Heath (Mr. O).

 

Difference between golf and most other sports is someone tells you "no, you're not good enough". How many pro football/basketball/baseball players do you know who aren't on a team?

[Boricua Golf]

I've played with PGA, LPGA and Champion Tour pros and I have to say these guys and gals are the truth, their short game is just amazing, I can move it out there with them, but their proximity to the hole is that much better than mine, not to mention that if they miss the green, about 90% of the time they will get up and down, me not so much, the closest I got to any of them was 3 strokes back (LPGA)...

[MattyO1984]

I tried to catch up on what was going on in this thread...I'm giving up. If this is the first post you are seeing on it, trust me, don't bother, it's not worth it.

[Jasonic]

How delusional do you have to be to think people are here to impress you? Weird

 

I'm very impressed by your post sir! I also remember reading somewhere a ways back that you were seriously jacked, and of course I'm super impressed by that too! :)

 

Thanks! Squat 1200 times my body weight now, almost look like a linebacker like Rory

[rangersgoalie]

First thing you need to turn pro?

Just turn pro....he'll enter a qualifier as a pro....poof you're a pro. Congrats.

 

Wanna get really frustrated?? Read bios of some teachers in your area. You will likely find some,

And some good teachers too, who will state in their bio they played one tour or another, when they never

Qualified for those tours. Saw one, where the coach implied he played the PGA tour because he got in an

Event as a section qualifier.

There, now I've contributed more disagreeable to this thread!!! Work completed

[nix]

"Saw one, where the coach implied he played the PGA tour because he got in an

Event as a section qualifier. "

 

So he claimed he played the pga tour when he played the pga tour? How dare him.

[rangersgoalie]

"Saw one, where the coach implied he played the PGA tour because he got in an

Event as a section qualifier. "

 

So he claimed he played the pga tour when he played the pga tour? How dare him.

 

I would try to find the bio, but what's the point....in a thread trending absurdly, I was having fun....hope you played well

[ChrisSP]

I think the real question that this thread raises is ... how did ConcentricDimples ever amass 206 likes?