7 Most Annoying Playing Partners
We showcase the seven most annoying playing partners that golfers can have the misfortune of teeing it up with!
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We showcase the seven most annoying playing partners that golfers can have the misfortune of teeing it up with!
7 Most Annoying Playing Partners
Whether it's the person who's a stickler for the rules or seems to make time stand still with his deliberate pre-shot routine, we're sure these golfers will be familiar to you.
So sit back and enjoy our sub-optimal acting as we run through the seven most annoying golf playing partners. Be sure to let us know if we've missed any!
WATCH: 7 Most Annoying Playing Partners
1. The Early Praiser
Perhaps this is a bit harsh given the early praiser is giving you and your golf game praise in the first place. But it is annoying when you receive a compliment and then proceed to duff it, or the person repetitively thinks you are holing putts when they have no chance. Top tip from Golf Monthly, if it is you who is talking early, then perhaps wait until the person has hit the shot or the ball has come to rest before giving praise!
2. Mr Angry
Playing with someone who erupts at the first sign of a poor shot or bad break guarantees a very long round in which you’re constantly on edge, and always on a self-preserving look-out for low-flying clubs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9O5X03Nygc
3. Mr Oblivious
Whether on the tee or as you’re steadying yourself over a crucial four-footer, there they are, jangling away with keys, rattling their clubs, or even walking right across your line, usually absent-mindedly, but just occasionally on the gamesmanship trail.
Either way, it’s just as annoying, and hard to shut out once it’s got under your skin.
4. The Cheater
Arguably the worst partner to be playing with, the cheater is someone who goes against the very essence of the game and leaves you feeling awkward and tense throughout the round. We recommend just keeping an eye out and dealing with it in the easiest way possible which is usually a quick chat in private during or after the round.
5. The Amateur Coach
We have all played with someone who thinks they are Butch Harmon and with the best will in the world, even though their intentions are good, their swing tips and advice should be kept to themselves. During the round is never the time to give out, or receive advice because then it just muddles the swing up for the rest of the round. Also, perhaps the swing tips should be left to the local teaching professional? Just a thought.
6. The Rules Guy
“I think I overheard you saying to George to keep his chin up and keep trying after that last tee shot,” says the Rules pedant, another worthy inclusion in the list of annoying golf partners. “I believe that constitutes advice and therefore breaches Rule 8-1.”
Cue four hours of fun where you’re afraid to open your mouth and feel compelled to tread on eggshells anywhere near your ball.
Related: 8 Rules Golfers Break Without Realising (opens in new tab)
7. The Snail
We live in tortuous slow play times, but if you’re the one constantly trying to gee people along, it tends to be your game that suffers rather than theirs as you’re forever anxiously looking over your shoulder to see how badly the course is stacking up behind you.

A golfer for most of his life, Sam started playing the game to prove he was the best player out of his father and two brothers.
He quickly became a golf equipment expert and has always been the one family and friends come to for buying advice, and spends a lot of his time putting golf gear, apparel and shoes to the test.
He is a graduate of Swansea University where he studied History and American Studies, and he has been a part of the Golf Monthly team since February 2018. He also previously worked for World Soccer and Rugby World magazines.
A jack of all trades across print and digital formats, Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website. He also oversees all Tour player content as well.
Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five.
Sam is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TS3
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade M5 (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees)
Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚
Putter: Scotty Cameron Circa 62 #6
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