5 absolute musts when playing with better golfers than yourself

By: Kellie Stenzel, Top 100 Teacher February 16, 2026

Multi-ethnic group of young men talking on a golf field

Follow these tips to make the most out of rounds with better golfers.

Getty Images

Playing with other golfers can be a lot of fun — but it can also be a little intimidating at times. Any time you tee it up with golfers you don’t know, you might be the best player in the group … or you might be the worst.

Being the best is certainly more comfortable, but how do you handle it when you’re actually the worst?

This happened to me recently. My son was scheduling a practice round for a tournament and asked if I’d like to join. Any opportunity to play with him, I’ll take.

As it turned out, the “regular” golfers we were scheduled to play with didn’t show. So I found myself playing with three of the top juniors in the country. It was a bit intimidating, but still a lot of fun.

Here are a few suggestions if you ever find yourself in a similar situations

1. Don’t play slow

This is rule number one. If you can do this, you’ll be just fine.

You may be hitting more shots than they are, so efficiency is key. Move quickly to your ball. Choose your club promptly. Keep your setup and routine simple and consistent.

You can also anticipate what club (or clubs) you might need and grab them as you return to the cart. You won’t always know exactly what you’ll need, but when you do, this small habit can save valuable time.

2. Know when to pick up

If you’re not in a tournament, keep pace with the group. That might mean occasionally picking up your ball and moving forward to stay in position. There’s no need to hit several extra shots while others are waiting.

The same goes for putting. After your first putt, you might choose to pick up to keep things moving. You may not post a “true” score, but you can still enjoy the experience of playing alongside better golfers.

3. Choose the right times to socialize

One of the best parts of golf is the people you meet. A fun round often comes down to good conversation. Just be mindful of timing. Waiting on the group ahead or walking off the green toward the next tee are great opportunities to connect without slowing play.

4. Keep trying

Throughout the round, simply do the best you can with your own game. Ideally, you have a basic understanding of your tendencies and how to make small adjustments. Use the on-course experience as a chance to improve and self-correct. With the right mindset, you might even finish the round playing better than you started.

5. Use it as motivation

Playing with great golfers can be incredibly inspiring. They often make the difficult look simple.

In my years of teaching, I’ve noticed that the best players are usually the ones who work the hardest. It looks effortless because they’ve earned it.

After my round with my son and his friends, I went back to the range and hit a few more balls. Playing with better players can motivate you, sharpen your focus and guide you toward becoming a better golfer yourself.

TheStack + Stack Radar Bundle

Save over 15% when you combine TheStack + Stack Radar with our most popular bundle. Enjoy personalized speed training with TheStack, gamified wedge practice with Stack Wedging, Tour-caliber insights with Stack Putting, and 60+ instructional videos in the Learning Library – along with our Bluetooth-enabled Stack Radar, which sends your speed data directly to TheStack App for seamless training Stack Radar is a great multi-purpose launch monitor that packs into your golf bag easily, making it perfect for speed training with TheStack, Stack Wedge practice on the range or indoors, and measuring your speeds on the course. TheStack App – Speed Training, Wedging, and Putting Rated 4.9 with over 5,500+ Reviews on the App Store Includes 1-Year Membership to TheStack App Now on iOS, Android (Beta), and Chrome Web (Beta) Adaptive speed training formulated by Dr. Sasho MacKenzie Guided workout timer for reps, sets, and rest intervals Custom speed metrics to track your gains Bluetooth Connectivity to integration devices. Hands-free data entry using voice entry technology for non-integrated devices Membership includes Bundled access to Stack Putting (iOS), Stack Wedging (iOS), and the Learning Library (All Platforms) Train and track up to twenty local (i.e. family) users under one login. App works with Family Sharing so the entire family can train easily on separate devices Connect to any other Stacker using Share Codes Are you a Coach? Learn about our Coaches License TheStack Hardware 5 milled Stack weights enable 30 weight combinations between 0g and 300g Dual-purpose weight case / phone stand Precisely engineered training club – Adult (41.5″).  For Junior sizing, see Fitting Juniors Stack training requires a speed device that can measure swings without ball contact. This bundle includes our own Stack Radar. View all compatible devices here. Stack Radar Measures Swing Speed and Ball Speed.  Calculates an estimated Carry Distance and Smash Factor. Can capture swing speed without ball contact Powers Stack Wedging (iOS), our newest gamified practice feature. Enjoy Seriously Fun wedge practice indoors or outdoors and get accurate feedback regardless of range ball quality or practice environment conditions. Pairs with TheStack App via Bluetooth to enable advanced features. Adjust for temperature and altitude while fine-tuning ball speed and launch angle for the most accurate feedback Set speed trigger threshold at 25, 35, 45, or 55 mph to avoid false triggers from fast backswings Includes a stylized carry case to protect the screen while stored (available exclusively for purchases from our website) Platform Availability iOS: Access TheStack App from the App Store when your order arrives. Requires iOS 15.0 or newer. Access Speed, Wedging, Putting, and the Learning Library. Android & Web (Beta): Install TheStack App from the Google Play Store or access it on Chrome Web when your order arrives. Access Speed + Learning Library today; Wedging + Putting coming in a future update. See our FAQ pages for questions about membership access.

~~$588.00~~ $499.00 from Fairway Jockey