How do you play the game?

[Justin Broderson]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding? walking
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?yes
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?always, unless it is going to damage my club or cause bodily harm, just not worth it
4) At one point is a putt "good?"in the leather
5) Do you keep a handicap?yes
6) Do you generally wager?yes
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?lighting
 Do you take lessons?in the winter
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?always
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?sometimes

[Chris Cupit]

GCA brethren,

In light of some recent discussions on how one plays the game, I thought it would be interesting to conduct a brief survey of GCA member's playing preferences.  

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?  Walk with caddie or ride-I'm done toting although I will use a push cart.
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?  No
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?  Yes.  Sorry about being dogmtic on this one but if your rolling it, you're not playing golf
4) At one point is a putt "good?"  When it has been conceded
5) Do you keep a handicap?  Yes
6) Do you generally wager?  Yes
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?  Unless it's a tournament, if it is below 65 or above 85 I'm out
Do you take lessons? Yes although not nearly enough.
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?  Before a tournament round yes, otherwise maybe.
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?  Nope.

[mike_beene]

1-walk 2-no 3-yes 4-no 5-yes 6-yes 7-lightning,colder than 50F and hotter than 100F 8-yes 9-yes 10-yes

[Ben Sims]

GCA brethren,

In light of some recent discussions on how one plays the game, I thought it would be interesting to conduct a brief survey of GCA member's playing preferences.  

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?
4) At one point is a putt "good?"
5) Do you keep a handicap?
6) Do you generally wager?
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?
Do you take lessons?
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?

1) I only ride when I play in Scotland
2) No, never have either
3) Usually.  Unless my ball has come to rest in water.  Then I always play it as it lies.
4) When it goes in the hole.  Duh!
5) If anyone asks in reference to a bet, I'm a 25.
6) Yes.  Wyatt Halliday is convinced that I'll be sporting an LSU sticker on my truck after our trip to Kingsley.
7) I particularly enjoyed sleet on the 14th tee at PD.
Putting lessons only.  And it shows.
9) If there is one available, no.
10) Solid white showing.  Or crooked Titleist logo.  Or sideways line.  Too lazy to mark and adjust.

[Stu Grant]

Insert Quote
Quote from: JWinick on Today at 03:09:31 AM
GCA brethren,

In light of some recent discussions on how one plays the game, I thought it would be interesting to conduct a brief survey of GCA member's playing preferences. 

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?  Either one - depends on the course, playing partners, whether I'm having a beer while I play, etc.
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?  No
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?  Yes
4) At one point is a putt "good?"  Whenever I can get it since I'm a crappy putter.
5) Do you keep a handicap?  Yes
6) Do you generally wager?  Yes, Small dollars or a beer after the round
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?  Not comfortable with lightning.  Pretty much anything else is fine including snow.
 Do you take lessons?  No but I probably should.
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?  Don't usually have time to.
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?  No.

[Mark Manuel]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?  Walking
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?  No, I am not that good, around a yardage is good enough.
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?  Yes
4) At one point is a putt "good?"  Yes
5) Do you keep a handicap?  Yes
6) Do you generally wager?  Yes, wolf.
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?  Lightening, heavy rain.
Do you take lessons?  Informal.
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?  Yes.
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?  No.

[Brian_Sleeman]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding? Walking - will ride when playing late in the day
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?  Sprinkler heads and my eyeballs.
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?  Yes.
4) At one point is a putt "good?" Typically a foot.  If it's my wife, up to four feet.
5) Do you keep a handicap? No.
6) Do you generally wager?  Yes.
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?  Course closed.
Do you take lessons?  I get advice from fellow pros from time to time.
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?  Typically not.
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?  Absolutely not - can't stand it.

[George Pazin]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding? walking
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance? never
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies? always
4) At one point is a putt "good?" only if I'm worried I'm slowing someone else down - otherwise I putt everything out
5) Do you keep a handicap? not currently
6) Do you generally wager? nope
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play? sub 40ish or heavy rain
Do you take lessons? once in awhile
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round? only at gca outings
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt? not anymore

And of course, the obligatory answer to How do you play? Badly.

[Jimmy Chandler]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?
Walking, but I will ride when a course requires it, or walking will hurt my enjoyment of the game (too hot, I'm too out of shape for the course, I'm playing 36 holes and I'm too out of shape, etc.)
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?
Neither.  I'm not so good that precise yardage matters that much, but I will try to figure out approximately how far I am from my target/any hazards.  I may purchase a range finder some day, and do not consider them inappropriate.  I cannot judge distance visually very well due to my near-sightedness.
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?
Yes, unless I'm playing a round where my handicap doesn't count or I'm already scoring so poorly that cheating doesn't matter anymore.  Exception: last year I played in a 9-hole league where the rule was you could improve your lie anywhere except in a hazard. Stupid rule, but not following it would have hurt my team.
4) At one point is a putt "good?"
Whenever my competitors say so.  If I'm playing alone, within a foot or so.
5) Do you keep a handicap?
Yes.
6) Do you generally wager?
If my playing companions are willing -- small stakes only.
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?
Too cold for my back which will stiffen up to much (say below 45). Too hot/humid; I've played in 99 degrees+ but never enjoyed it.  Rain's ok but will sometimes discourage me.
Do you take lessons?
Yes, 1-2 per year from the same teacher for the past 8 years or so.  Great guy who has helped my swing tremendously.
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?
Yes, but usually not a whole bucket. 6-12 swings is enough to loosen me up.
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?
Not since I learned better from Shivas on GCA. `

[Scott Henderson]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?  I prefer walking, in most cases.
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?  No
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?  Yes, unless "lift, clean and place" is stipulated.
4) At one point is a putt "good?"  When someone else in the group says so, but I usually like to putt out.
5) Do you keep a handicap?  Yes
6) Do you generally wager?  No
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?  Lightning.  Pretty much anything else is fine, although I have never played in snow.
Do you take lessons?  Occasionally, but I probably should do it more often.
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?  Don't usually have time to.
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?  No.

I do have to admit that I agree with George Pazin: How do I play? Badly.

[Ken Moum]

GCA brethren,

In light of some recent discussions on how one plays the game, I thought it would be interesting to conduct a brief survey of GCA member's playing preferences.  

1) Do you prefer walking or riding? I rarely ride...
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance? I have a laser, but try not to use it much.
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies? Pretty much. If a tournament declares L,C & P, I usually take advantage.
4) At one point is a putt "good?" I'm reasonably friendly in match play, otherwise, putt 'em out
5) Do you keep a handicap? Yes.
6) Do you generally wager? Not much any more. Used to have something on every round.
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play? Rain, Wind, 50* temps..... I need two of the three in my favor.
Do you take lessons? Can't find anyone whose swing theories make sense to me.
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round? Mostly, if I can.
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt? Hell NO!!! I agree with Shivas.

[Kari Haug]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?  Generally walk, ride in rain/wind, walk when cold
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?  No
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?  Yes
4) At one point is a putt "good?"  I usually like to putt out, sometimes will pick up less than 6 inches.
5) Do you keep a handicap?  Yes
6) Do you generally wager?  No
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?  Lightning.  Or the 10th outing in a row that it has rained (this has happened in Scotland)  I have played in the snow, my record is January 5th in Minnesota
 Do you take lessons?  Just started taking them after 35 years self-taught
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?  No, but I stretch a lot
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?  No.

[Chip Gaskins]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?  No preference
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance? No
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies? No
4) At one point is a putt "good?" Whenever you are tired of hitting it
5) Do you keep a handicap? no
6) Do you generally wager? No
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play? Below 50 degrees
Do you take lessons? No
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round? No
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt? Never, matter of fact I work to have no line

[Ron Csigo]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?  Walking
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance? No
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies? Not always
4) At one point is a putt "good?" Shortly after it hits the bottom of the cup.
5) Do you keep a handicap? Yes
6) Do you generally wager? No
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play? Below 45 degrees with wind
8)Do you take lessons? No
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round? Only of there's time.
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt? Only if there's one already on the ball.

[Will MacEwen]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?  Walking - will rarely choose to ride
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?  No, but if someone in the group has one I may ask
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?  LCP in competition, occasionally here in the PNW winter when it is truly soggy
4) At one point is a putt "good?"  About 16 inches if I am keeping a score, more generous in matches
5) Do you keep a handicap?  yes
6) Do you generally wager?  yes, often just a beer
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?  I am hard as nails on a trip, less intrepid at home during the cold wet winter
 Do you take lessons?  No - too far gone down my own path
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?  Almost always - just 25 or so balls
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?  No, I do use the logo

[astavrides]

This entire thread is fundamentally flawed because it is based on a false premise - that there are multiple ways to play the Game.

There is only one way to play the Game of Golf.

What this question really asks is:  to which non-Game or alternative to the Game have you migrated?

Remind me who is was who made fun of Matt Ward for 'always being right'?  I think I liked you better when your avatar was Freddie Prinze, Jr.

[John Foley]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding? Depends upon who & where. I will walk with those who walk & ride with those who wish to ride
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance? Yardage Book, sprinkler heads or if the cart has GPS - nothing hand held
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies? Yes
4) At one point is a putt "good?" When my competitor says it is.
5) Do you keep a handicap? Informal not thru a CC or the USGA
6) Do you generally wager? Only with friends
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play? Snow
 Do you take lessons? I have in the past.
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round? If time allows
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt? No

[astavrides]

Well, frankly, I liked me better when I hadn't yet discovered what an avatar even is....

Alex, don't shoot the messenger.  It's the USGA's rules, not mine.  I'm terribly sorry if everybody has a problem with there only being one way to play golf, but that never was - and is not - my decision. 

I definitely don't want to get into a rules or decisions on the rules, etc. discussion.  But at least 5 of the 10 questions have nothing to do with the USGA rules of golf.  Is there only one way to answer those questions as well?

[Andrew Mitchell]

GCA brethren,

In light of some recent discussions on how one plays the game, I thought it would be interesting to conduct a brief survey of GCA member's playing preferences.  

1) Do you prefer walking or riding? Walking.  I will only ride when required to i.e. my playing partners are all in carts
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?  I have experimented with them on occasions (but never inhaled ). I will use a yardage book/sprinkler head when available
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies? Yes- unless the Rules of Golf permit otherwise
4) At one point is a putt "good?" Yes, when it's conceded by my opponent in match play
5) Do you keep a handicap? Yes
6) Do you generally wager? Yes but only only for small stakes (generally less than £10)
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play? Torrential rain, lightning, snow
Do you take lessons? Yes, on average one or two a year
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round? I will hit a dozen or so balls in a practice net to loosen my swing
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt? No

[Matt Bosela]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding? - Prefer to walk and strongly feel it helps my game
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance? - No, but I'll utilize yardage markers
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies? - Always, even under spring conditions
4) At one point is a putt "good?" - When it's in the hole or when my playing partners/competitors say it's good
5) Do you keep a handicap? - Yes
6) Do you generally wager? - Yes - usually a $10 skins game, a $2 Hollywood and I usually have a $5 match going every round with a couple of guys (straight up, no handicap)
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play? - I was playing a round a week ago at Tarandowah and there was lightning in the distance.  That didn't faze me but the funnel cloud forming behind us got me running off the course faster than you could imagine.  I'll play in almost anything since I don't get the chance to play as much as I like.
8 ) Do you take lessons? - Nothing formal but if the game is suffering, sometimes I'll have one of our pros take a look at my swing to see if anything is wrong.
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round? - I'm allergic to the range - I only have so many good shots in me and I don't want to waste them on the range  
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt? - I'll usually use the logo but not for alignment purposes - more to see if I'm rolling the putt properly after the strike and not putting sidespin on it

[Tom Huckaby]

Dave, he didn't ask how do you play Golf, he asked how do you play the game?  

So I find this interesting.  Note my answers pertain to what he asked.. that is, how do I play the game.  Such will be different if the question is how do I play Golf, as defined by Dave Schmidt (and in which case, all answers should be damn well the same for everyone).

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?
I prefer to walk, but given a mountainous course or one otherwise with huge green to tee distances, hell yes I'll ride.  Also prefer to ride when carrying beer is part of the deal, which is often.

2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?
Not me, but I am happy to accept the readings of others.

3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?
Are you freakin' kidding?  No way.  There are times to do so (most times) and times to lighten up.

4) At one point is a putt "good?"
When it's inside the Circle of Friendship.

5) Do you keep a handicap? - Yes

6) Do you generally wager? - No.

7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?
Damn near none.

8 ) Do you take lessons?
Not in 30 years.

9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?
Yes.
 
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?
No - tried it, didn't help.

[Mark Pritchett]

GCA brethren,

In light of some recent discussions on how one plays the game, I thought it would be interesting to conduct a brief survey of GCA member's playing preferences. 

1) Do you prefer walking or riding? Prefer to walk
2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?  No
3) Do you always play the ball as it lies? Yes
4) At one point is a putt "good?" Holed or conceded
5) Do you keep a handicap? Yes
6) Do you generally wager? Sometimes
7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?  Will play just about anytime
Do you take lessons?  No
9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?  Yes, but not necessary.
10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?  No

[Jason Topp]

1) Do you prefer walking or riding?

Walk

2) Do you use a rangefinder/GPS device to judge distance?

yes

3) Do you always play the ball as it lies?

yes -

4) At one point is a putt "good?"

When the opponent says it is.  I generally try and use the same standard as my opponent.

5) Do you keep a handicap?

yes

6) Do you generally wager?

yes - small amounts

7) Under what weather circumstances will you not play?

Not many - lightning

Do you take lessons?

yes

9) Do you generally hit practice balls on the driving range before a round?

yes

10) Do you use a line on a golf ball to align your putt?

no - I have tried it but it hurts more than helps

[JC Jones]

I definitely don't want to get into a rules or decisions on the rules, etc. discussion.  But at least 5 of the 10 questions have nothing to do with the USGA rules of golf.  Is there only one way to answer those questions as well?

Of course not. 

So the entire thread isn't fundamentally flawed?

[Peter Pallotta]

Shivas Schmidt:

Tenaciously consistent, consistently tenacious.

The lover of lost causes and cold cases, especially if frozen solid.

Any sport with a rule book the size of a toaster oven demands such a man.

Most fall by the way-side. Not Shivas:

He'd rather suck at playing the ONE game than excel at playing HIS game.  (THIS I understand.)

Peter