Most golfers play in scramble golf tournaments. In this multiple player event, the shooter is allowed to receive and give advice before the shot. Sometimes after much debate, no real decision on how to play the shot is reached, so the shooter swings away at what they think is the best. Sometimes it works and other times, not so much!

I play most of my golf these days with Blair and Rick. If I am able, we enter team events and to day have been moderately successful. Playing around in a scramble event plays offers more opportunity for discussion on how to play a shot and where we would like the ball to finish. Of course, this discussion varies on the situation, however there are a couple of truths that always seem to be at the surface of all our discussions. When there is a disagreement, it always boils down to one issue I will discuss in a minute.

I will say that most of the time the advice is helpful except on the greens. All three of us have different styles and as a result read the green differently. During these times, I do not find anyone’s advice helpful, but they are rare. So, the short of is that while playing a team event, team advice is both helpful and a distraction. Others seem the think the same way:

Now, back to the other challenge the three of us have when giving advice on the golf course. Believe it or not, it has nothing to do with our skill level. It actually is centered around course management. Blair, Rick and I (especially Blair and I) play golf differently. We sometimes approach our shots from opposite ends of the spectrum. When he wants to press, I want to play cautiously. The fact that our course management styles are different drives the diverse advice we give to the team. I am sure you can see how this could cause challenges to the outcome of some shots.

For the most point, I am not surprised we experience advice challenges. This is would be the same for players and caddies sometimes as well. As a matter of fact, one Grateful Golfer fired their caddie because they were having a heated argument about whether to use an 8 or 9 iron for a shot. Not cool and the player was a bit embarrassed; I can see that happening more often than reported.

How we manage our game will drive the advice given to anyone. I know this is an issue that keeps rising, so I try to temper my advice to match as many factors as possible. This also poses other challenges, but at least is helps the team manage the round more effectively and with more cohesion.

Do you have challenges giving or accepting advice during a team golf event?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!