Dumbfounded About Online Playing Etiquette

[jhendricks316]

I didn't know where else to ask this, and I’ve got a little story to tell first, but basically, I’m trying to determine if I was in the wrong tonight or if I was being masterfully trolled.


I played my first private alt shot match ever tonight, and it was awful lol. Not my play, since I won 3 & 2, but the overall experience was so stressful that I would honestly be fine never doing it again. I barely have enough free time for video games as it is, and I should be enjoying it when I play, right?


Anyways, I was practicing putting before my CC-E rounds when I got the message, but I joined the party anyways.


We were playing Oakmont CC Lidar, and I teed off on the even holes. I took a moment to read the green (so much yellow and red, by the way) before addressing my approach shot at the 1st.
 

Just before my backswing, one of my opponents is like: “He probably sucks anyways,” or something like that. I don't remember exactly. I didn’t care that he said it, just when. Because for practically the entire round, if someone wasn’t talking before/during their own shot (which of course is your choice), it was always during mine.


But what really threw me for a loop was getting absolutely berated for taking practice shots. Was I wrong to do this? Maybe 1 or 2 quick ones before most putts and a couple chips, but this guy is literally screaming through his mic at me all kinds of obscenities, telling me to “take practice shots on my own time,” and saying that I’m completely “ruining his tempo.”


I also didn’t hear the end of it on the long par 3 8th: 290 yards or so? Tons of super-sarcastic but serious questions about what’s in my bag. Of course, I didn’t answer. (Driver, 2 hybrid, all irons from 3 to 9, and all wedges, if you actually care.)


There was a slight headwind, but since my longest two clubs were driver and 2 hybrid, my choices were a lofted driver that still flies way past the hole and a 2 hybrid that leaves the longest flop too short and the shortest pitch too long. My teammate isn’t mic-ed, but since he had a couple amazing sand saves already, I took driver and ended up in the bunker behind the green. (Can you believe we eventually won the hole?  )

By the way, if the 8th wasn’t my favorite hole, it was definitely watching the guy drive a tee shot into the church pew bunkers, which he also blamed… on me.
 

Am I crazy? Am I overreacting? Was I wrong to take any practice shots?
Should I never play a private match again? I have no idea.

[Doyley]

I'd say practice swings are a bit much in an online game like alt-shot. Most guys just want to get in the round fairly quickly so at most I'd say 1 or 2 practice shots per round. I haven't taken a practice swing since the first month.

Other than that, as long as your pace of play wasn't super slow I don't have any issues with what you did - but I'd suggest leaving the practice swings out of online play - especially with strangers.

[donkeypuncherben]

It would help to know how long the whole match took. If these guys are used to finishing a 9 hole alt shot match in like 20 minutes and it took longer than 30 with your practice swinging and pre shot routine then I understand why they were starting to get frustrated. As in real golf people are going to have different opinions on pace of play.

Unlike real golf people who play video games are not looking each other in the face and are often more immature people and also using the anonymity of online gaming to be their most immature selves. Sucks, but it is what it is, you are not going to get the same etiqutte that you would in real golf. Some people are obnoxious and you can just decide not to play with those guys in the future

[GW_Hope]

I could see practice swings on first tee and maybe a dangerous shot other than that I wouldn’t. I do use a backswing practice quite often just for timing.

[staypuft39]

Not everyone is cut out for matchplay, unfortunately.
I've found that ribbing the opposition is pretty common, which can be fun if you know the people, but obviously not in your situation.
Also I've never played with anyone who took regular practice swings, ESPECIALLY not putts, where there's not even tempo to worry about. 1 or 2 on most putts would absolutely drive me mental as well.
Until you find a group of people that play at your pace and like being dead quiet during your backswings, I'd definitely suggest finding other modes to play.

[Deleted]

I would suggest you find some people who have similar interests while playing online. There is nothing better playing online with someone you know won't cheat or quit. Especially golf games. Over the years I have made some awesome friends from video games. Actually have met a handful IRL. You have to do a little work but it will pay off. I would suggest you find a society that plays the way you do then start friending.

Practice shot a little too much imop but I'm hardcore sim guy. Ironically I was playing some new guy I just met in a private match and he was using the practice swing. Didn't help he said he could only do 9 but I think the scoreboard is the reason he left.

[Generic_Casual]

This is why I play quite a bit with bassman70 online. We play around the same for the most part and he listens to me constant b%&ing about HB or roller coaster greens or what kind of trick shots I'm going to hit after I've fully lofted a driver off the green because I missed a 4-footer for bogey after my P/P turned to sh%$ F/VF when there was water on the left.

[Warwick Todd]

Never even thought of doing that to antagonise someone when playing online - that’s a cracker 👌🏻

Just hope none of my mates see this so I can try it out on them 😂

Yep, it was the practice swings. If people talking while you swing bugs you, you can mute them pretty easy. Never had abuse the few times I’ve played online matches with strangers.

[Warwick Todd]

Have had messages on XBLive telling me I’m a cheat for using Masters clubs AND Beginner clubs though...

[moneyman273]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with taking a practice swing during a matchmaking session, when needed.  I wouldn't do it EVERY time but if i were up against you, I'd have no problem with it.  I think what it boils down to is time.  Most players with minimal attention span wish to get an alt shot game completed in say an 50 minutes to an hour.  Or say, a 9 hole online match play in a 25 minutes.  If it takes an hour 10 for alt shot or 30 minutes for match play, you will hear complaints.  Which leads me to this.  I'd never join a party of people I do NOT know.  Playing private matches are amazing, when playing with people you know on some level.  Playing with others you don't know can be toxic, stressful and simply not enjoyable.  

[Deleted]

Yeah I have no problem with people using the PS here and there. Every shot would be annoying. I actually prefer to playing someone who takes their time as opposed to someone who just gets up there and hits it. Shows they care about what they shoot and it is more fun that way. Being I have the MP club for xbox I have played some randoms and a couple times I have pm them to slow down. Sometimes I think people play fast because they feel the other person plays quicker then they do.

I also rarely use the mic. I find it to be distracting and I use the pandora app on xbox for music in the background. Another cool thing to do is if you get to know some of the people you play with get thier cell phone #. Then you can text to set up matches and text during the match. Much easier then using the chat function well on Xbox anyway.

Some good friends, some golf and couple drinks makes for a good night of online golf.

[nevadaballin]

I rarely have a headset plugged in when playing people I don't know.

Hell, sometimes I don't use it with people i DO know lol.

[Demonondalinks]

I only play online with friends or society member i have competed against for a while. I have played match making in the past and have come across some fine people. Most use nonmaster clubs so i don't bother anymore. If you want to you can mute your opponent,

[andy6467]

I am looking for matchplay partners. I dont know anyone who owns this game so if interested, drop me your xbox screen name. I have an average skill set, play with masters clubs and am aware of pace of play....

[zzfr33b1rdzz]

i'd say abort the random players and try to hook up with a TGCT member, as most, from what I can tell, are good people!!