Playing against less experienced players

[mattdabbs]

The guys I play with are good friends and have only been playing 1-2 years and play infrequently. I have a pretty good edge over them as far as score goes and so it really isn't competitive. So we started trying a new way to bring in some competition. One way is to let the two of them play best shot doubles against me being my own partner playing tough shot. That evened things out pretty decently and they managed to edge me out by a couple of strokes.

I am wondering if any of you have tried to even out skill levels and bring unequal competition more in line for a challenge?

 

[zenbot]

How about playing with your weaker shot? If you're primarily a BH player go FH for the round.

 

[mambrose]

Or, you can play pro par (all 3's) and let them play course par

 

[MrFixIt]

There is also the handicapping option.
You can also throw left handed

 

[JTacoma03]

When my roommate got me hooked on the sport he would give me a one-sided or uneven bet on the match. We were playing Kentwood in Raleigh (all the holes are <300') so the playing field was slightly more level for my noob experience.

He won some Subway off of me a few times, but damn I wanted one of his discs so I kept at it.

 

[CaptainAnhyzer]

I just play my game and offer advice when they ask......... if the less experienced players watch you, they'll learn from you & get better.

A couple regulars i play with were 10-15 shots off my score last year, this year they're only like 5 away. And I noticed a some key throws that they use are very similar to mine.

 

[Technohic]

I dont really play against anyone but my own score, but one thing a group I used to play with did was pair up in a way to where we had 2 experienced players each have one of the inexperienced on their team.

This of course happened when I was the inexperienced player of the group back then as I didnt come out much but you get an idea of who would compliment who and be somewhat balanced pretty quick.

 

[Karl]

While you can always "get competitive" with anyone, I like what C.A. has just advocated --- play your game and let others play theirs (while watching you - and thus learning).

Most of all, I believe people want to learn - and they're not going to learn (nor gain real satisfaction) "beating you" if you're handicapping yourself somehow.

Let each man battle himself - and get better at that first!

Karl

 

[Midnightbiker]

Most of my close friends and people I play with alot , I can beat, but we just enjoy playing and hanging out together. Play tournaments if you want some competition. Also, maybe only play with one disc.

We have a guy that is really good we play with, and to even the field, he would let us choose the disc out of his bag for each shot.

 

[sidewinder22]

Golf is really about you vs the course. I played with some legends of the game yesterday and it was pretty casual. Nobody kept score(they probably knew the scores though) and we just called out the score of the last hole to see who was on tee. I shanked my first couple shots being nervous and no warm-up, but warmed up toward the end and beat some of them on a few holes.

 

[bazillion]

I've brought a few people into the game and find that handicapping works great. Beginners play at par = 5 and I play par = 3 and it's generally a close game. Once they're "under" par 5 a couple of times, they advance to par = 4 and then par = 3 where we play head-to-head.

The n00b women I've played with do it this way too and don't get frustrated when they can't chuck the discs more than 200'.

 

[Technohic]

Golf is really about you vs the course. I played with some legends of the game yesterday and it was pretty casual. Nobody kept score(they probably knew the scores though) and we just called out the score of the last hole to see who was on tee. I shanked my first couple shots being nervous and no warm-up, but warmed up toward the end and beat some of them on a few holes.

I need to start invoking the best of the hole going first when my fiances boy is with us and it is a busy day on the course. He always runs up to the teepad then stands on it as he picks out his disc, then gabs, then messes with whatever else, causing a lot of delay to where we wind up letting people play through a lot.

Keep trying to tell him "If you're on the tee, you are ready to throw." but he doesnt get it.

 

[cmcolomb]

When I was up and coming in the game of disc golf, my mentor (the dude that started me playing and that I played with most often) introduced me and another buddy to "Fox and Hound"... Essentially, there is one fox and any number of hounds, in my case it was myself and my buddy, and the hounds get to play best shot. Once the hounds beat the fox on a hole, the first hound becomes the fox (I guess it would have been important to mention the hounds work in rotation)... Yea, I didn't do a good job explaining but you get the idea

 

[zenbot]

When I was up and coming in the game of disc golf, my mentor (the dude that started me playing and that I played with most often) introduced me and another buddy to "Fox and Hound"... Essentially, there is one fox and any number of hounds, in my case it was myself and my buddy, and the hounds get to play best shot. Once the hounds beat the fox on a hole, the first hound becomes the fox (I guess it would have been important to mention the hounds work in rotation)... Yea, I didn't do a good job explaining but you get the idea

Are you guys furries or something?

 

[craftsman]

All depends on what thier goals are.
If strictly casual and fine with just having fun the fore mentioned ideas are good; par 4's, best shot dubs, you with only a putter.

For my first two years I never, ever came close to winning. My friends had been playing 2-7 years and no handicap or any scoring help wasnt an option- either has won this year so far against me

 

[BrotherDave]

Ript revenge is great for this. Or, just use a putter or a mid, like midnightbiker alluded to, it helps your game, the noobs see that you can rock out a putter and still learn something. Everybody wins.

 

[Jukeshoe]

I say crush 'em mercilessly and make 'em cry.

My buddy has Ript Revenge, and we've yet to try it out...it definitely looks fun.

 

[Disc Dog]

Your solution is one of many. It all depends on the people you are playing and what is fun and/or appropriate. If someone had wanted to do that with me when I started I would have told them to stuff it. Playing someone better only makes want to play better. Others may not feel that way.

 

[mashnut]

My gf and I have been having fun lately when I play rounds with a zephyr. It's pretty close to evening us out, and it makes it a fun competitive game, as well as a good form tune up for me. I always throw better after throwing the zephyr, it forces me to throw with good smooth form rather than arm strength.

 

[BrotherDave]

Just get an Ion, the best thing ever made for one disc rounds. You won't even miss your other discs.