x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
3 things good golf teammates always do (even when they’re playing badly)
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Over $140 of value - Just $39.99

InsideGOLF
Instruction

3 things good golf teammates always do (even when they’re playing badly)

By: GOLF Editors
August 25, 2020
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Shadow of golfers

When you’re deciding on a match at the start of the day, you never envisioning yourself playing poorly. Yet even if you do, you can’t toss in the towel. You still need to figure out how to be a good teammate. Enter GOLF’s resident mid-handicaps, who are here to offer some helpful advice, golfer-to-golfer.

1. Play Fast

Tim Reilly (11.4 handicap): Even when I’m playing poorly I try to make sure I’m keeping pace with the rest of the group. At the end of the day, that’s all anyone really wants in a playing partner.

I have low-handicap friends that drive me insane when they keep me waiting even when they’re scoring low. Just keep your pace of play up and you won’t be bothering anyone with subpar play.

2. Keep Their Temper Under Control

Josh Berhow (17.1 handicap): This is something I’ve sometimes struggled with because I always think I’m better than I am (sigh), but it’s important to not ruin everyone else’s round just because you are frustrated. Let out some of that rage, fine. But as soon as you cross that line everyone else starts walking on eggshells around you. That’s not fun for them either. Play fast, keep your head up and don’t let the game get to you. It’s always better than a day in the office, anyway. People might not always remember what kind of golfer you are, but they will remember your character.

3. Never Give Up

James Colgan (17.2 handicap): I think the key is to have the right mindset. If you’re locked-in and competitive, it’s going to be fun, even if you play like garbage. The worst people to play with are the ones who give up on the round or the match when they start to struggle.

If you stay in the mix (or if you don’t), keep your head in the game. It’ll be worth your time and that of your teammates, and maybe you’ll even win back a few bucks on a late-round press.

Latest In Instruction

12 hours ago

Why this common putting strategy is actually the 'worst advice in golf'

14 hours ago

The 4 keys for pitching off wet lies

17 hours ago

The nerdy tech behind Bryson DeChambeau’s resurgence

22 hours ago

Find the center of your stance for better contact with your irons

generic profile image

Golf.com

Related Articles

Approach Shots
Max Homa pitching from a wet lie

The 4 keys for pitching off wet lies

By: Maddi MacClurg
Instruction
bryson dechambeau hits a tee shot during a practice round for the 2025 pga championship

The nerdy tech behind Bryson DeChambeau’s resurgence

By: Zephyr Melton
Instruction
How this drill helped Sepp Straka at the Truist Championship

This simple drill helped Sepp Straka at the Truist (and can help you too)

By: Maddi MacClurg
Instruction
golfer hits balls on driving range at night

How long should your practice sessions be on the range?

By: Zephyr Melton
Driving
5 keys for longer, straighter drives

5 keys for longer, straighter drives

By: Kellie Stenzel, Top 100 Teacher
Driving
Smooth out your swing with Rose Zhang’s tempo keys

How Rose Zhang’s simple tempo keys improved my swing

By: Maddi MacClurg
Driving
a golfer swings

How far golfers actually hit their drives, according to data

By: Zephyr Melton
Rules
golfer hits ball from bunker and then places ball on the green

This genius use of stroke-and-distance rule has been viewed 2.4 million times

By: Zephyr Melton
Putting
The putting trick pros swear by for reading grain on bermuda greens

The putting trick pros swear by to read grain on Bermuda greens

By: Maddi MacClurg
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version