I do think that playing with better players has an impact on your game.  Not only do you benefit from watching how they manage their game around the course, but the pace of the round is usually quicker, so you're not standing and waiting to take your next shot.  Nothing kills your tempo/rhythm quicker than taking a shot and then waiting for your playing partners to potentially play a couple shots each to catch up with you.

On the flip side, we've all been there.  So when you do get paired up with less skilled players, try to relax and focus a little more on your shots rather than the slow pace and be pleasant (no one likes a grumpy playing partner).

As for finding better players I would suggest asking the clubhouse staff at the courses you play.  Typically, they probably know who some of the better players are that either belong to, or frequent, the course.  Watch players that are practicing, you can usually learn a lot about a player by the way they practice. 

As a lower handicap player I would say it does make a difference no question that it motivates one to play better and raises the bar on one's game during the round.  IMHO

When I play with better players I usually push myself to play my best golf - and a lot of times I do - but when things go south it also means that I might beat myself up a bit more about it. I don't like to be the player that's holding up my group. All in all, I'd much rather play with someone who's better than me because it keeps things moving and I can usually pick something up along the way.

I personally think that playing with players better than you makes you focus more and therefore score better.  It is not so much of watching them, it is just knowing that you want to perform well in front of them and you push yourself to do it.  Like you, if I am playing with guys that are much worse than I am I seem to play down to their level.  It is annoying for sure, but it is something that I am trying to work through.  

Moral of my thoughts... play with folks that are better than you and it will help your mental game.

I love playing with players that are much better than me..  It only pushes to try and play better..    And most of the "better" players I play with are awesome to play with.  A lot of fun and a lot of encouragements.    All you can ask for.   

As for breaking 80, i'm with you.  I've only broken 80 twice in my life (been playing for 25+ years) but the problem is i don't get out enough.  With a family it's tough so i take what i can get.   And when i'm playing, I try not to think ahead about my total score, just thinking about the hole i'm playing and making par or better.  One hole at a time. 

I'll admit I've played with some players who shoot in the 100s and I feel at time it does slow me down, takes me out of my rhythm you could say.  But ya know, we've all been there so I try to encourage them and most importantly just have fun...  Life is too short to let things get in your way...  Would I love to play great and go low, absolutely but at the same time with my situation I'm just blessed to be able to play the game when I can..  

Best of luck with your game and just keep having fun!  You'll break 80 soon bud :) 

My biggest gain in hdcp, other than the after the first year I played, was when I joined a group that they were all 7 shots, at least better than me.  I've known all these guys a long time, and have been in the group for about 15 years now.  I'm now about equal to them, minus the top 2 guys, who are a 0 and 2.1 index.  Just being around better players helps a lot, I've learned how to manage my game much better, learned shots, escape shots, lol.  When they hit bad shots, they know how, where, when to take the risk or take the lump.  I joined them as a 13.7 index and currently am a 6.0, and fluctuate between 4.5-7.0 since a couple years after being in the group.  They each offer different strengths of there game, which is good to learn and if it applies to your game, a good visual and easy to try and add it too your own game.  When I do round with much higher hdcp guys, I try absolutely to not think about golf, my swing, or anything related to it.  I don't offer advice unless asked, and then I keep it simple.  I do chat more about anything else tho, just to pass the time and keep things moving.  I also spend more time helping look for balls for them, which is OK.  Good luck.

Playing with better players helps, but competing and practice is what makes you better. Even if you're a 13 and I'm a 5, if I'm giving you 8 strokes in a match, you better believe I'll be pushing to make birdies all round. Playing with purpose is the fastest way to improve (that and a lesson from a PGA professional).

I had the opportunity to play a round with a gentleman that won the Jackson Masters (local tournament).  He was very strong and an extremely aggressive golfer.  When playing with someone on this level, it really challenges you to play to the best of your abilities.  It shouldn't make you feel the need to "hang" with the better player, in which most cases you won't if they routinely shoot 3-5 under par every round.  I had a great experience with him and asked him a lot of questions to which he kindly responded to all of them.  In my opinion, playing with better players greatly improves your mental game.  If you happen to be the best player in a foursome...be humble.  Let them look up to you and your abilities as a golfer and that will make the round that much more fun.

~Matt

I feel for you. I usually walk on as a single too. Nothing kills my momentum more than walking up an down a hillside helping to look for a ball in tall grass.

In regards to finding better players, if you have the patience, try getting a regular golfing partner and help them to become a better player (Growing the game and all that). I'm trying with my brother, but he doesn't put in as much time practice as much as I do. Also consider the time of day that you play. Some of the best players you will find are walking onto the course before the maintenance crew has finished with the back nine. I mean, with that kind of dedication, they better be good.

I hear you on developing playing partners. My dad and I play golf somewhat regularly. I'm not that great at an 18 handicap, but he regularly shoots in the 100s. I can rarely get him out to the range, and he doesn't ever seem to want my advice. I had scheduled a golf lesson for both of us, but he bailed on me a couple days before.

I do have a buddy that seems to have goals similar to mine, so I'm hoping we can get out a bit more and build each other up and encourage each other on the course. I think that will help both of us make steady improvements.

I usually shoot in the high 90's to the low 100's. In my foursome there is one other guy who plays around the same as i do but the other guys are better players usually around low 80's. I find my game has become better playing with them, (better game management). A lot of my score is penalties. 

The foursome I play with during my weekly games have various handicaps.  When I started playing with the mens league after retirement I quickly found out who the better players were and positioned myself to get with the better players.  Has it increased my skill level.  Absolutely.  Anyone in my group can shot even par on any given day.  Most of us in the group are around a 10 handicap and under, but the best in the group is a 3 and can throw a 69 easily at us.  He is our target and he hates it is one of us beats him. We do have our little games we play within the group and will test our skill level as well.  If you are at a course by yourself go to the driving range and watch players warming up and see if they are by themselves and see if they mind if you join them.  You always pick up something new at the golf course to improve your game by playing with others.     

I play with my dads golf society, an theres a few lads off single figures an i seem to play alot better with them as i try to match them or better them on each hole, plus they give me good advice an shot decisions.

If you play tournament golf, you will not always play with a better player. You have to play your game and stick with your routine. I play with people have handicaps + 10 or more than mine. Learn to pace yourself, and be patient, and focus. You will learn a lot about your own weaknesses!

I learn a lot from playing with better players. I've even gotten into some money games with guys I new I couldn't beat, just so I could  watch how they handle themselves, play different shots, and manage the course. It's kind of like paying for a lesson in  my mind. A few of them have been really cool with taking me under their wing and offering some advice on how to play certain shots on a tough course when I had a tournament there the next weekend. Worth it in my mind. 

I think you learn a lot about your own game too. When you play against better players, and hang with or beat them, thats huge for knowing what you are capable of and you can take that confidence with you for months. 

play well,

al

Of course playing with better players is only going to help your game.  Whether its watching how they handle certain shots, strategy,mental part of the game of just a flat out tip from someone who see's something simple that your doing and points it out can be a huge stroke saver.  Im a 6 handicap and usually help most of my playing partners who are not as good quite a bit on the golf course.  Things like what clubs to use out of certain lies, or the outcome of a shot they are about to take etc....

Joe

Generally I prefer to play with better players.  I usually play a better game than normal as long as I just play my own game and don't try to compete too much with someone far better than me.  I can't say that I have learned much from better players.  When I play with lower skilled players who are struggling I tend to turn things on and show off a little especially with approach shots.

I currently play with both better players and those of around my same standard. I always want to impress. However when i'm playing against a handicap 18 I play harder than when i play with a fellow 28. So i do believe the quality of your opponent dose change your performance. This is because you naturally relax when you do not have to play your best to win. So being the best is not always the best for your handicap.

I believe that if you want to improve then it is very beneficial to play with and observe better players. You can learn many different things from them by watching them on the course and in preparation for a round of golf. Try and watch better players warm up for their rounds and watch them on the course. If you can sit down with them after the round and ask them questions, you would be really surprised on what you can learn. Ask them about set up positions and targets and what they look at when starting to attack a hole. 

HELL NO. It is only my opinion (REALLY!) but I don't buy that. I don't need better players to push me to play better. I play up to my skill and once I started focusing on better course management I started shooting lower 70's. We all know what a stupid shot is and the risk of taking shots we know the percentages are against us, but we still take and shoot bad scores. I believe you are playing the golf course and if you get it in your head to worry about the other three players, you screwed yourself. I know it cheese to say it, but I will, focus one shot at a time. Who cares what Waldo the lawyer did last hole or what he did with his tee shot 10 seconds before you, its irrelevant and no one should care but Waldo. Go play golf and don't worry if you are teamed up with Adam Scott or Tito the weekend player, play your game, that's it. No one can make you play better or play worse, other than your own head.

My opinion is stupid but its mine, just like my game, it's full of bogeys but it's mine's, and I love it.

If my spelling and grammar offends you, too bad. I'm stupid, but smart enough to feed my family.

I'm not convinced I will learn much from just watching a playing partner who is better than me.  I'm more concerned with the speed of play.  Typically better players play faster which is good for me.  However, if it's a player that takes 20 practice swings, lines up every putt from every possible angle, and generally plays slow, I don't care how good or bad they are, I'm probably going to play worse.  

Even though my handicap is in the 20,s I too have a GPS, arrive at the ball knowing the club I am pulling, walk up and hit it.  I know the distance for all clubs in my bag.  I share your feelings about players who sit there and figure it out while staring at the ball and take three practice swings.  Slow, slow, slow.  

Playing with better players can only help.  Usually they are more consistent and have a better short game.

"When your surrounded by scum you become scum"-Kathy Wakile (Real Housewives Of New Jersey)

i find this quote to be true for all aspects of life other than golf! i have found that even though i can see players that are better than me and copy what they do i also fond that players who are not as good can help me learn from there mistakes and improve them in my game. however i do think the best players to play with are the ones who have the best time with me in the club house having drinks, as apposed to shooting bellow par on the course.

I'm the worst in my group with a 9. If you join us be one of the following: funny,fast or good