Better partner, more likely to improve?

Hi,

I started playing golf this July and have only a handful of rounds to my name. I am in my late forties so have left it a bit late to start but I have fallen in love with the game so............................

I have not got a playing partner as such but I have been out with a work mate who plays about 8-10 shots worse than me (I am averaging about 105) but I have had a couple of invites from people on this site. If I played with my work mate or people from here I would enjoy it just the same but I was wondering weather I would be likely to improve slightly quicker with a more experienced golfer or weather it would not make much difference? As an example I find that being 8 shots in front with 3 or 4 to play I don't consentrate as much as I do early in the round, if I was behind maybe I would put more into the whole round?

Any thoughts?

Thank you.

Steve

Steve, it would be better for your game if you could play with other golfers who are better than you.

I find that when I play with better golfers than me I up my game.

Maybe I concentrate more because I don't want to make a complete fool of myself, who knows!

In every sport that I've played during my life I've only got better by playing better players than myself, so it should be the same with golf.

Russ

Yes it would benefit your own game to play with different people, not just better people. But if you want to continue playing with your workmate why not play matchplay. You'll find that although you may be 8 shots up with 3 or 4 to play you might only be a couple of holes up...

There's no doubt that playing with people better than you gives you a focus (even the lesser competitive of us still have that competitive streak in our subconcious) and you give each sht that little extra thought. Conversely there are lower handicappers who do not like playing with higher handicappers which I find a bit annoying.