Unsolicited advice given on the range is something that’s been highlighted on social media thanks to Georgia Ball’s viral post, which in my opinion summed up the majority of my range visits when I was a young amateur. But what if that advice is given on the golf course?
We’ve all been there, your golf isn’t at its best and midway through the round your playing partner starts offering you “helpful” advice on some swing changes. Except it isn’t helpful. It’s what they learnt on YouTube the night before and now you’re completely screwed. Those 12 new swing thoughts are fighting your already confused, and quite frankly, aggravated golfer’s brain, and you now want to scream.
It’s not just about assuming that a golfer wants help. The act of offering advice and that advice being constantly accepted actually breaks the Rules of Golf. If advice continues to be taken and not rejected then the player who is recovering it is under breach of rule 10.2 so that in itself is not a laughing matter. It will result in penalties if you’re playing a stroke play round or loss of hole in matchplay!
The assumption that you want help and need it is the first part of this. I receive unsolicited swing advice whilst I’m giving playing lessons to groups of women by men who aren’t even on the same hole and who have assumed that I haven’t played for long, let alone that I am actually the coach.
Assumption is a huge part of this. Would you offer advice to somebody on what they should buy at the supermarket? No. Why? Because they haven’t asked for it. They may have dietary requirements we aren’t aware of, they may be on a tight budget. We don’t offer advice as we don’t know enough about that person to be helpful and again, they haven’t asked for it.
(Image credit: Tom Miles/Howard Boylan)
So why do people feel it necessary to offer advice to golfers on the course? They don’t know about any physical limitations or injuries that a player may have, which can limit how they move in the golf swing. They don’t know what that golfer has been through personally, which may be a reason behind them playing poorly.
Offering advice can often make things worse for that golfer. So here’s an idea, wait until you are asked. Plus, don’t assume that your advice is correct! Unless you’re a qualified professional coach and have correct and effective advice to offer, just stay quiet. Even as a coach I won’t offer advice to anyone I’m playing with…
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