Every golf course sees the same familiar faces—not just in appearance, but in personality and playing style. You might feel unique among your friends, but to the club staff, you’re just another version of a golfer they’ve seen hundreds of times before.
So, which golfer are you? More importantly, which ones do you actually want in your foursome? Let’s break down the four most common types of golfers and how they impact the game.
The Organizer: The Backbone of Every Group
Every golf group has one—the player who books the tee time, confirms attendance, checks the course conditions, and sends out reminders like a human scheduling app. The Organizer ensures that the round actually happens, but they can also take things too far.
A great Organizer knows when to relax. If you’re calling the pro shop to ask about the weather during your 15-minute drive to the course, you might be overdoing it. Likewise, asking to tee off early before the full group arrives is a quick way to frustrate the starter.
Why Every Group Needs One
Without the Organizer, tee times would be missed, players would show up at the wrong course, and no one would have cash for bets. But if you’re that guy, remember: Make the plans, send a reminder, and then let the day unfold naturally.
The Chill Guy: Golf’s Laid-Back Spirit
The perfect counterbalance to the Organizer, the Chill Guy is all about taking it easy. They show up late, tie their shoes on the first tee, and maybe even ask the starter for a few extra minutes to stretch or grab a coffee.
The Chill Guy is also the most likely to bring a flask, be on a first-name basis with the beverage cart driver, and insist on music during the round. They keep things fun—until they slow down play by marking their score on the green instead of at the next tee box.
When They’re Great (and When They’re a Problem)
Chill Guys make casual rounds and scramble tournaments more enjoyable. But if you’re playing in a member-guest or a competitive match, their easygoing nature can become frustrating. If your Chill Guy doesn’t know when it’s their turn to play, you might want to reconsider that invite.
The Too-Serious Guy: When Golf Becomes War
This player never made it to the tour, but you’d never know it based on their attitude. You can spot them by their name-brand outfits, spotless clubs, and their tendency to mutter about angles of attack before every shot.
The Too-Serious Guy is hyper-focused on performance, which can be admirable—until it leads to club-smashing, curse-laden outbursts, and complaining about every slight imperfection in course conditions.
The Red Flag? How They Treat the Staff
Getting frustrated with your own game is one thing. But if this guy starts blaming the caddy, the marshal, or the greenskeeper for a bad round, it’s time to cut ties. Golf is meant to be competitive, but it’s also supposed to be fun.
The Content Golfer: Always Ready for the Camera
This golfer isn’t just playing a round—they’re creating content. Every shot, every hole, every moment is another opportunity for social media. From tee box group pictures to staged pranks and choreographed dances, their golf game is secondary to their online presence.
A few photos? Totally fine. But setting up a ring light or tripod mid-round? That’s pushing it. If you’re spending more time trying to “rizz up” the cart girl for your Instagram than focusing on the game, you might be the problem.
Why the Content Golfer Is on the Rise
With golf becoming more influencer-friendly, the Content Golfer is only going to become more common. And while there’s nothing wrong with sharing your love of the game, it’s best to do so in a way that doesn’t hold up play or annoy your group.
Which One Are You?
The truth is, most golfers have a little bit of each of these personalities in them. Maybe you’re the Organizer with a Chill Guy streak. Or a Too-Serious Guy trying to embrace the relaxed vibes of the game.
So, which type are you? And more importantly—which type drives you crazy?
Related Reading:
- Does Your Driver Need an Adjustment?
- What to Wear Golfing (And What to Avoid)
- The Unwritten Rules of Ready Golf Etiquette
Clint is PGA-certified and was a Head Teaching Professional at one of Toronto's busiest golf academies. He was also featured on Canada's National Golf TV program, "Score Golf Canada," twice. He graduated with a degree in Golf Management from the College of the Desert in California and studied under Callaway's co-founder, Tony Manzoni. He has a handicap index of 6.2 and spends the winters near Oaxaca, Mexico, where he plays twice a month at the Club de Golf Vista Hermosa. He's written over 100 articles at GolfSpan since 2021. You can connect with Clint at LinkedIn, FB, his website, or Clintcpga@gmail.com.
