How to make rounds more interesting/competitive with beginner?

[Sanman]

My main playing partner is my wife, and was looking for different ideas to make our rounds more interesting/competitive. I usually always beat her by around 15-20 strokes, so other than just giving her a handicap, is there other ways we can spice things up.

I read the other day about having her play my drive, and I play hers, which is a great idea and we will be trying that this weekend for fun. Just looking for any other cool ways of shaking things up. And not just with her, but maybe friends that come play with us that are very new to the sport to make it less discouraging for them.

 

[DannyThunders]

Only use putters , only throw sidearm ( or backhand depending on which is better) , throw with your off hand, there are tons of ideas to level the playing field

 

[Sanman]

Only use putters , only throw sidearm ( or backhand depending on which is better) , throw with your off hand, there are tons of ideas to level the playing field

Thanks Danny, will have to try some of these to mix it up.

 

[Leroy]

I was playing a guy who just started and he told me his goal was to beat me on only one hole. Thus any hole lost would be a complete loss. It took him 38 holes and three rounds to do it but I felt him breathing down my neck on every bad throw.

 

[Ricta]

I've been thinking about this a little too... I was thinking that it might be fun to play a modified Cali round. You both throw 2 shots off the tee. She takes her best drive, you take your worst.

 

[joecoin]

You play with a mini.

 

[filobedo]

I've been thinking about this a little too... I was thinking that it might be fun to play a modified Cali round. You both throw 2 shots off the tee. She takes her best drive, you take your worst.

Agreed. I have played worst disc doubles before and sometimes practice by throwing 2 discs on each hole and play the worst throw until the hole is completed.

 

[davetherocketguy]

is there other ways we can spice things up.

I could make some suggestions but *AHEM* I might get banned.

 

[Peter 127]

I played with a guy occasionally who has quite a bit more skill. So partly to develop our games and to have a bit more competitive fun, we mix up what can be thrown the entire round. The round gets called before the first hole. Very similar to using only putters and the like, we included rollers, thumbers, weak hand forehand, only stand and deliver (I am right handed, so I throw a left handed forehand)...etc. There is a designated area where a putter can be pulled out, usually at 15 foot to the basket.

 

[disctildeath]

A deck of RIPT cards can be fun. Give her like 9 to start and she can play one per hole, and make her draw another if she misses mando or goes ob with the condition that any cards not played adds to her score unless it's one specifically made to be used at the end. That way most cards will help her by forcing your shot selection or putter/driver switching (she will get double help because most don't use overhands, rollers, grenades, etc but seeing them in action can help her learn new shots that can make up for not having much distance), but still add some random fun for you both.

 

[spicybird6]

You should putt with a nuke os or stilleto.

 

[brian j]

... is there other ways we can spice things up...

play naked.

 

[Broken Shoulder]

All of these things, plus "bedroom" favor bets. Even the loser wins. :hfive:

 

[Timeetyo]

play naked.

On the right track - but just make it a strip match play round. Sure, you may start out ahead, but after a bit the distraction level will even things out...

 

[Dthunderchicken]

"is there other ways we can spice things up."

Call your shots.

 

[jrawk]

Try playing match play instead of total throws.... and give her a 1 throw handicap per hole.

So if you throw a 3 and she throws a 4, that hole is a scratch.
If you throw a 3 and she throws a 3, she wins that hole.
If you throw a 2 and she throws a 4, you win that hole.
If you throw a 2 and she throws a 3, another scratch.
etc.

I do this quite frequently with people, including my fiance, and it makes for a very fun, competitive and challenging match.

 

[kenjiac]

Is there a local course with 2 tees? You play longs against her from the shorts. If not just develop some short tees at your home course for her to throw from. Keep them the same so she can learn the holes. You could customize the shots for her strengths and weaknesses. You dont have to mark them just know where they are and throw a couple putters down to define the tee each time. Make it so she scores roughly your score from the longs and adjust as her skill increases.

 

[Steve West]

Is there a local course with 2 tees? You play longs against her from the shorts. If not just develop some short tees at your home course for her to throw from. Keep them the same so she can learn the holes. You could customize the shots for her strengths and weaknesses. You dont have to mark them just know where they are and throw a couple putters down to define the tee each time. Make it so she scores roughly your score from the longs and adjust as her skill increases.

A good rule of thumb is to find a tee about 1/3 of the way down the fairway. Or, just past the first trouble if there is any.

(Shhhh...Don't tell her I told you this, but whatever handicapping method you use, make sure it is one that always lets her win.)

 

[Sanman]

Thanks everyone for all the input so far, so many great ideas. :clap:

 

[Sanman]

I've been thinking about this a little too... I was thinking that it might be fun to play a modified Cali round. You both throw 2 shots off the tee. She takes her best drive, you take your worst.

This is a great one, adds practice to the game and also gives her an advantage.

I could make some suggestions but *AHEM* I might get banned.

On the right track - but just make it a strip match play round. Sure, you may start out ahead, but after a bit the distraction level will even things out...

I like it! :hfive:

Try playing match play instead of total throws.... and give her a 1 throw handicap per hole.

So if you throw a 3 and she throws a 4, that hole is a scratch.
If you throw a 3 and she throws a 3, she wins that hole.
If you throw a 2 and she throws a 4, you win that hole.
If you throw a 2 and she throws a 3, another scratch.
etc.

I do this quite frequently with people, including my fiance, and it makes for a very fun, competitive and challenging match.

Good alternative to just giving her a -15 handicap to start, I like it.