golfrewind.com

When I play golf, I usually play with a friend or friends on weekends; however there are times I play with strangers when friends cannot showup to play.
I enjoy both, usually with friends, I find myself laughing, joking, & hitting a few good shots & on some holes being quite competitive for the honor of bragging after the round.
When I play with someone or others I don't know, I find myself more competitive & focused.
I guess it is because I'm trying to make a good impression at that time.
I mean during that time, I not cold or mean, just I want to shoot my best game then.
How about you guys ?

It doesn't really matter to me. That is, I'd rather be playing with my friends, but playing with strangers is OK. You definitely will meet some cool characters. I'm the quiet type on the course anyways, so I don't find myself talking too much. I just hate being paired up with strangers who ignore golf etiquette and play really sloooow.

i would play with friends over strangers anyday. There is too much pressure to impress everyone and make them thinkyou are better than they are. Or at least keep equal with them and not embarass yourself.

I've had very good luck with strangers the past few years, but I KNOW I'm going to enjoy playing with my friends in my regular 4-some ALL of the time. We've all had at least one experience with that walk-on from #@*& which would probably be a good idea for a thread.

Strangers is nice, kind of like 3 blind dates at once. You always have fun with your friends.

I would personally rather play with better players, because it makes me elevate my game to match them. I tend to focus a little more. I don't mind getting matched up with lesser players as long as they don't play slow and have good etiquette.

I've been paired up with some strangers in the past that have completely ruined my day. I've also been paired up with some very nice people. I do agree that I seem to focus a little more on my game when paired up with strangers, but I would always prefer to play with friends.

I cannot seem to play good golf when playing with friends. While it makes for funny times - my mind gets VERY distracted, and unfocused on executing good shots. Some friends of mine have HORRIBLE habits on the course as well (mobile phones, drinking/drunks, etc.).

Playing with strangers often helps me focus better - they're conversing amongst themselves, and I can focus on my shot execution.

Lately - since joining a private club, I play a LOT Of rounds alone, which is the ultimate for great scoring (Yes, I'm honest on my scorecards!), privacy, and solitude. It's very relaxing to me to play like this, after the hectic lives we all lead these days.

Yes, playing with friends [ good friends is always great to play with ]
I don't mind talking during the round as long as it it is done at the right time & doesn't effect anyone's game.
There certainly have been times, I have met some nice people while playing with strangers.
Fun golf to me is having a decent game,enjoying the day, & just being out there playing.
As I mentioned last year, I only got to play several complete rounds, but I 'm hopeful to play reguarly this year.

At the end of the day Im playing golf, So just try to enjoy i as much as I can.

Doesn't really matter to me. Although it is a lot easier to relax and ham it up with your buddies than it is with strangers.

I would much rather play with friends than with 3 strangers. I would probably shoot a lot better if I played with strangers because I could then concentrate solely on my golf game. I'd still rather have good companionship than a better score.

Yeah, I blame my high scores on my "companionship" too!

Sam T pretty much described it for me. Because here in Texas, us folks tend to get a little rowdy. Personally I don't like it when a friend steps up to the tee box and shows little or no effort to at least concentrate in getting a decent shot going. It causes slow play for the rest of us and others that may be trailing. Yeah its funny and we get some good laughs in, but at times it seems that the funny plays after awhile start to rub off on each other making for a hilarious round. It gets old really fast. I play best with strangers and am able to stay more consistent throughout the round. But playing with my old man is best, we pretty much play equally and have great times on the links.

I prefer playing with friends, but it's not as if I'll boycott the round when I'm set up with strangers.
Plus, during tournaments, you're set up with players you don't normally play with, and usually, whom you've never even met. I feel I play pretty well when I'm with strangers, best when I play alone, worst when I play with my brother.

I've always preferred to play with friends, although it's not necessarily best for my score. I used to like playing alone better than pairing up with strangers, but now I find I'm more relaxed and tend to play better when I don't know who I am playing with and it becomes just me against the golf course again rather than me against a friend whom I compete with. Plus the chatter that happens between shots trying to get to know whom you've just paired up with takes my mind of the last shot and I can start fresh on the next one. I don't enjoy playing alone at all anymore, probably the biggest reason I played fewer rounds this year than any other.