118 replies to this topic

[jurr80]

I really doubt that any of the hackers you mention set out to be such.
I play with guys on Thursday that drink, drive carts, sway like a yard sign in a hurricane, and try to break 100.

They talk about their swings, the latest tip they got on the Golf Channel, and about their lives.
At 33 years old, I have learned a ton about life from these old "hackers".

These guys want to be good. They want to shoot 80 more than anything.
They have limitations in torso separation, knee strength, and overall flexibility due to many years of hard work.
Some just never could get comfy with a 2-3 knuckle neutral grip.
My father in law, God bless him, has never released the club in his life.

In two years of seriously playing the game, replete with study and lessons, I passed these guys up.
It doesn't change the utter joy I receive from being around good people that just want to get out into the clean air.

They take a little longer to find their ball, because they paid good money for that ProV1, which promised them a straighter ball flight despite their swing faults. They stand over the ball a little longer because they want to execute that tip they received off of YouTube.
They screw it up because they are so tense out of an utter desperation to get that one great shot that keeps them coming back.

I agree with the sentiment that we all started at that point. Through diligent work, we got to a higher level of play.
We can take Harvey Penick's "dead aim" because we have faith that we will at very least make good contact with the ball.

To denigrate others based on their lack of game, in my humble opinion, adds a degree of venom to what should really be the most pleasant and brotherly of experiences.

Edited by jurr80, 11 December 2012 - 11:27 AM.

[nbg352]

jurr80, on 11 December 2012 - 11:26 AM, said:

I really doubt that any of the hackers you mention set out to be such.
I play with guys on Thursday that drink, drive carts, sway like a yard sign in a hurricane, and try to break 100.

They talk about their swings, the latest tip they got on the Golf Channel, and about their lives.
At 33 years old, I have learned a ton about life from these old "hackers".

These guys want to be good. They want to shoot 80 more than anything.
They have limitations in torso separation, knee strength, and overall flexibility due to many years of hard work.
Some just never could get comfy with a 2-3 knuckle neutral grip.
My father in law, God bless him, has never released the club in his life.

In two years of seriously playing the game, replete with study and lessons, I passed these guys up.
It doesn't change the utter joy I receive from being around good people that just want to get out into the clean air.

They take a little longer to find their ball, because they paid good money for that ProV1, which promised them a straighter ball flight despite their swing faults. They stand over the ball a little longer because they want to execute that tip they received off of YouTube.
They screw it up because they are so tense out of an utter desperation to get that one great shot that keeps them coming back.

I agree with the sentiment that we all started at that point. Through diligent work, we got to a higher level of play.
We can take Harvey Penick's "dead aim" because we have faith that we will at very least make good contact with the ball.

To denigrate others based on their lack of game, in my humble opinion, adds a degree of venom to what should really be the most pleasant and brotherly of experiences.

THIS!
+1

[nbg352]

mukster, on 11 December 2012 - 10:52 AM, said:

Hacker;
1) Looks like he is goat humping at address, playing a very old small Persimmons 3 wood with steel shaft that he borrowed from his FIL, tees it up 6 inches, connects after 3rd swipe.
2) Still only 160 off the tee playing his 6th
3) 17 or 18 shots to get out of the bunker (yep I was there)
4) Starter tells him at the first tee "So we gonna keep that shirt on today, okay?"   (yep I was there)
5) His idea of keeping score is how many beers he drinks per hole.
6) Rude, obnoxious, inconsiderate

Actually, for me its not really about score, I played with a guy this year that shot 110, but carried himself well and never held up anyone, I thought he had shot a much better number.

If you are the guy in the above post, then you might be a hacker!

[buser699]

I know the course the coach1775 is talking about.  I play it fairly often.  On Thursdays they do have the $23 deal.  but he forgot to tell you all is that the one course is for beginers and the other course is for those with a HC under 22.  He also forgot to mention this is on a Marine Base and they want Marines to get out of the barracks  thats why he said 85% never played before.  I for one have played both courses and i have walked a carted as well.  If the group I'm playing with rides I ride and if the walk I walk.

[golf_bhoy]

People who smoke or people with bronchitis or any other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Definitely hackers.

[MattTheTaff]

Pulls driver on par 3 = hacker

End of

Lock it up

[profsmitty]

jurr80, on 11 December 2012 - 11:26 AM, said:

I really doubt that any of the hackers you mention set out to be such.
I play with guys on Thursday that drink, drive carts, sway like a yard sign in a hurricane, and try to break 100.

They talk about their swings, the latest tip they got on the Golf Channel, and about their lives.
At 33 years old, I have learned a ton about life from these old "hackers".

These guys want to be good. They want to shoot 80 more than anything.
They have limitations in torso separation, knee strength, and overall flexibility due to many years of hard work.
Some just never could get comfy with a 2-3 knuckle neutral grip.
My father in law, God bless him, has never released the club in his life.

In two years of seriously playing the game, replete with study and lessons, I passed these guys up.
It doesn't change the utter joy I receive from being around good people that just want to get out into the clean air.

They take a little longer to find their ball, because they paid good money for that ProV1, which promised them a straighter ball flight despite their swing faults. They stand over the ball a little longer because they want to execute that tip they received off of YouTube.
They screw it up because they are so tense out of an utter desperation to get that one great shot that keeps them coming back.

I agree with the sentiment that we all started at that point. Through diligent work, we got to a higher level of play.
We can take Harvey Penick's "dead aim" because we have faith that we will at very least make good contact with the ball.

To denigrate others based on their lack of game, in my humble opinion, adds a degree of venom to what should really be the most pleasant and brotherly of experiences.

My friend I give you the biggest compliment I can give a person on this site. You get it.

Thanks for joining our community.

PS You have the second classiest avatar on the site as well. The classiest avatar, you'll have to find it for yourself.

[mukster]

Some people are taking this far too seriously :P

[BigDave11]

I know 'em when i see 'em. And i see 'em a lot.

[DrunkenTiger]

I am a hacker !

[HackerVance]

I was going to write something self-demeaning.  After I read the other threads, I think that is bad idea.  One must have positive thoughts and never put oneself down.  Therefore, here goes.  I am not a hacker.  At times I play and act like a hacker, but, I am definitely a non-hacker.  It doesn't matter what your score is or how fast you play.  It is damaging to people for the rest of their lives if negative terms are used.  Everyone should be a winner, score cards should have preprinted scores of par or better, and everyone should get a trophy everytime they play.

[esketores]

The drunk who plays three or four times a year and those with total disregard for decorum and etiquette on the golf course.

[MarkFromTheUK]

A NZ Maori war dance?

Edited by MarkFromTheUK, 13 December 2012 - 05:10 PM.

[Flykixz23]

A hacker is some one that hacks there way across the course on each whole only moving the ball 50 yards per hit playing 6 hour rounds. Carts having nothing to do with it! I know guys who ride in carts and would trash most on the course...it makes their play a little faster as they may need that extra cut time to get more done in their day! Besides I play private courses so carts until 3 are usually mandatory except on mondays or a day of the week depending on the club! I still walk though and can play a round by myself in under 4  hours if the course is flowing well!

[Jericho]

LOL another poster who thinks walking is faster. Anyone that shoots 90 or below with 40-ish putts (your typical high handicapper) will DEFINITELY be faster riding than walking.

Down here in S. Florida I think in the last 2 years I've only come across 2-3 groups that were walking.

Hacker = someone that doesn't know how to play and hits ground balls every which direction.

[Huskypride28]

I play with a group of guys that most on this site would consider hackers.  Their skill level is low but they know their limitations so they pick up when needed to keep the pace of play.  Would I call them hackers.  Abosolutely not.  They play because they enjoy the game and most importanlty we enjoy each other's company.

On the other hand, I play with a friend of my dad's that is just as bad but has no consideration for the others he plays with or the others in front or behind our group.  He plays his shot out of turn, talks in your backswing, walks in your putting line, and proceeds to drive his cart just about anywhere he pleases even if that's up to the green.  He buys all the latest and greatest equipment every year thinking it will improve his game but refuses to take a lesson.  He pulls out his GPS on every shot so he can get the exact distance even when he's 300 away on a par 5.  And finally after seeing 1 sliced tee shot into the woods, a foot wedge from behind a tree, 2 duffs, and a 3 putt.... he insists he got a bogey.  This man, is what I call a genuine hacker.

[Terp]

DevilDog, on 11 December 2012 - 11:04 AM, said:

What I would call a hacker is the bozo that is putting for double bogey or worse and is crouched down reading the putt from both sides of the ball like he is putting to win the freaking Masters.

Well, that makes me a hacker. I am going to read the putt if I am putting for double just so I don't make triple.  Now, I will probably read the putt as you are lining up for your 18th birdie putt so I don't keep you waiting.  To me, making that putt for double is as important as making a birdie putt.  I thought it was counted as 1 stroke.

[MattTheTaff]

MarkFromTheUK, on 13 December 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

A NZ Maori war dance?

I see what you did there

[yoshiod9]

I don't think I've ever played with someone and thought, "Damn.  That dude's a hacker..."  Mostly because I remember being a beginning golfer just a few years ago.  Just because someone shoots worse scores, plays low percentage shots, reads/re-reads putts, etc. doesn't make them a hacker.  Just means that they might need someone to help them with their game a bit more.

The only time I get annoyed with people I play with is if they're oblivious to what's going on around them (taking too long to hit shots, waiting for a partner to hit before driving their cart 15 yards to the side to get ready to hit, walking on your line, etc.).  However, you can always just tell people (in a nice way) how to do things.  I've never had anyone react negatively.  But, I also don't think I'm a great golfer (6 capper here)... maybe that's why I look at things differently?

[EzDuzIt]

Hacker- Somebody who hits the ball from left to right crossing over every inch of each hole to get to the green and maybe hitting 150+ yards on their best shot , taking up time and backing up the course. I like private country clubs because of this reason and hackers should always let you play through, also cannot stand beer drinking 4 somes making noise and holding up pace of play! My 2 cents! Although some people have to learn the game somehow so sometimes hacking may be the way they play for awhile so I do not hold it against them, just be kind and let others play through!

[Dead Solid Perfect]

Hackers are the guys with a 30 + yd slice giving lessons to their buddies on the range and have a 12 inch staff bag!

Edited by Dead Solid Perfect, 20 December 2012 - 09:32 PM.

[SurfDuffer]

Can't break 100.

[4thand11]

I think a hacker is often defined, for me, as someone who has been playing for a while but is obsessed with the "long ball" - so he swings out of his shoes, and tops/chunks the ball in his quest for big yardage. Often these are big/muscular guys used to playing football etc.

Many of these players have little/no interest in changing or listening to advice, as they are convinced that there is little wrong with their swing and love to talk about that one time they crushed it 320.  They just need to "keep their head down", etc.

Someone who is just starting out is not a hacker in my mind, as we've all been there.  It is the ones who refuse to accept that their approach is not working for their entire playing life, who are the true hackers.

[llamont]

At the range today, a man and his wife occupied the two stalls to my right. She had her own bag and he had a bag and a partially unwrapped box (new club box with wrapping paper still in tact). She gave him his present early, a new set of MP-64 irons. The range has mats down while the turf is being seeded. He says, I'm going to hate scratching these babies up. Then he rests the heads of four of his new irons on the bare concrete.  Now, in his defense, he seemed to be a decent ball striker. But to desecrate the new and soft forgings of those clubs was just wrong.

[GolfinGal87]

My boyfriend would say me in the old days,lol but that's fair to be if your just learning right?

[chirotennis]

There are 2 kinds of "hackers", Unless you are on the pro tour or scratch golfer technically you are a hacker.  The first kind I don't mind playing with at all, the guy out there trying to work on his game, but being respectful of others (time, safety, etiquitte, etc).  I try to be that kind of guy, I'm not the worlds greatest golfer, but I'm not going to let my game affect someone else's round.  By all means, you are better than me?  Play through buddy...

Then 2nd kind is the traditional "hacker"  the guy out to drink more than play golf, hit 12 shots on a par 4 then hoot and holler like he just won the masters.  I think "hacker" is more of a attitude we have a problem with, not an actual skill level.  I have played with many people that shoot well over 100, and had a perfectly fun time, at a decent pace.

I've also played with the other guys...

[NickPhillips]

For me a hacker is not a negative connotation, it simply implies a new person to golf who tries, but are simply not that good. Some days are off for me and I shoot high numbers and I feel like a hack, other times I feel like I should be on the pga tour.. Sometimes I walk, but sometimes I'm too lazy and ride in comfort. To me, none of those things implies someone should 'get off the course' just because they are relaxing or driving or just not very good, as long as they let me play through there is no issue.

[stixman]

There are two types of people who play golf, players and the rest of us.
A player will get round any course off the tips, any time, any conditions in par, on good days he/she will go low.
The rest of us are hackers.
And there are two types of hacker, thems as plays golf,..and thems as plays at golf...there's a difference!
Keep loving it.!

[profsmitty]

stixman, on 11 February 2013 - 01:04 PM, said:

There are two types of people who play golf, players and the rest of us.
A player will get round any course off the tips, any time, any conditions in par, on good days he/she will go low.
The rest of us are hackers.
And there are two types of hacker, thems as plays golf,..and thems as plays at golf...there's a difference!
Keep loving it.!

Pulitzer material. Brother, you got it. That's the biggest compliment I can give anyone. Very few people get it. You got it. Keep on keeping on.