Does Playing with Better Players Make You Golf Better?

I think playing any sport with players better than you will eventually improve your game.  Conversly, playing with higher handicappers will negatively affect your score. With better players I tend to concentrate more and there is always a chance that just by watching them  I can pick up on something I could do better. 

I happen to like playing with a low handicapper.  They usually show more respect for the game and other players. You don't get the talking, practice swings or other distractions while playing your ball. Also the rest of the foursome generally follows suit. All the best to the TT members, Play well. Just had Hip replaced, and aching to play again. All my best to all the TT members.

It's hard for us higher (20's) handicappers too, when players talk in our back swing, get in our range of vision, put their shadow on our putting line, busy themselves rearranging their bag and clank the clubs when we tee off.  More etiquette on the course would be a big plus for all of us.  

I always play better when playing with good players. For some reason I play worse when playing with worse players. I like the pressure of staying up with the better golfers and really get frustrated with the slower play of worse golfers.

Absolutely. I am a 9 and playing with better players than myself is always a plus. I have often found that playing with young high school or college players you can learn an awful lot and can have a positive impact on your game. Certainly you are not going to hit the ball as far as most of them, but it is always fun to watch them rip one down the fairway.

Yes your concentration level goes up when you play with better players.  Stay within your game, play your shots, parctice your weak areas.

I also recomend that you find a league in your area.  It not only gets you out each week, the competition will help you strive to get better.

From my experience I have discovered that overall it definitely makes you better. The first time you play with a better player, you will not see much of a difference. When you start playing with them at least once per week, you will begin to see improvement.

One should always strive to play with golfers who are better than yourself. I find that it makes me concentrate a little harder to try and keep up.  I hate hitting bad amateurish shots in front of those who don't but when it happens, you find them more than willing to help with some words of wisdom.

YES.   I'm still a scratch handicap and there are plenty of people better than me.  

I followed two players for their final round at deutche bank and found it very helpful to learn how they navigated the course. Most of the time they played very conservative, taking any potential big numbers out of play. several times electing to miss the green on purpose , knowing how easy the chip would be compared to the putt from the wrong side of the hole.

as for me, I find that I try just a little harder and focus better when I'm playing with good players or in any competition.

First and foremost, I want to say thanks to all those who have replied.  I can't believe how much interest this post got from all the TT members!

So over the past few months (and based on some replies), I have started to try to figure out better ways to address playing with those very high handicap slow playing golfers whom which I would often blame for killing my round.  What I found useful was creating a game within the game.  By that I mean I would try to focus on either hitting as many fairways as possible, hitting as many GIRs as possible, or obtaining a certain number of saves if missing the green, or hitting a new low putting record.  I would not pick more than one of these elements in a given a round.  

For example, if I had a feeling from the first tee that it was going to be a very long round (I know I'm being judgmental but wearing a pair of jeans at the muni course is a giveaway at times) I would tell myself, lets focus on only breaking my previous record for hitting as many fairways as possible.  I would still keep track of my full score, but what this would do is help me really focus on a small subset of shots in a given round and walk away content even if my overall focus became distracted at times.  This way, getting that triple would not sting as much because I just had a new personal record in another aspect.

As a 5 handicapper I have been the best and the worst in many a 4 some.  I'll agree that playing with those +2's makes me really want to bring my A game, but seeing a scorecard that resembles a voting ballot is equally strong motivation.  When you're giving a guy 5-10 strokes in match play, you need to bring you A game even more.  Those pars = birdies my friend.  

If the guy you're playing with doesn't want to bet, just guess on the cap, or give em 3 a side and try to take him down.

P_Lamps- don't always judge a book by it's cover.  One of my buddies looks like a slob and is an absolute stick.  If you sized him up based on equipment (old blade irons, rusty wedges, goofy/dirty head covers) you'd lose your lunch money.  Come to think of it, I should head to the muni, toss on a Canadian tuxedo and see if anyone wants a game!

Play most of my golf at the local muni, and would rather play with better players. At this course we have the top amateur and senior amateur in the state and I have managed to play a couple of rounds with each. Playing with better players, makes me concentrate more on my swing, stay in myself and also gives me a great opportunity to watch how others manage the course.

Yes, if you play with better players you aren't constantly waiting on your playing partners or looking for lost balls. When you are waiting a while in between shots, you aren't playing as well as you can. 

I agree with your assessment; this is purely my opinion. More often than not when you are playing with others who are not as good as you, you are visualizing bad shots right in front of you and mentally that can be a disadvantage. Also, I think that when I sit waiting for others to find their balls or go back-and-forth over the green, it causes me to rush to get off the hole (as normally we will have people behind us). I find that sometimes I will not even watch a chip, putt, or approach of someone if I am in a match. 

On the other hand, when I play with better players than me I feel that I focus more; for example really read greens, yardage, pin location, etc. As most times we are in a playable position we can use the time to make reads rather than look for balls that were hit out of play. Also, I feel that the players that are better really enjoy talking golf and making reads like I do, so I end up shooting better most times. 

Now with that said I play with a variety of skill level players and I wouldn't trade the camaraderie and enjoyment of playing with my friends for anything. Therefore, the cost benefit doesn't really affect me and I'd rather have a good time. Also, I am certainly not the best out of my playing buddies. 

That's just my $0.02 and my experiences. I would say just enjoy the game and embrace all skill levels and don't over think things like this.