4BBB Matchplay Tactics

[HawkeyeMS]

Bear with me on this, I'm kind of thinking out loud

It's often said during singles matchplay that you play your opponent and not the course which got me thinking, is it possible/advisable to do the same in 4BBB matchplay. For instance, does it make sense for you and your partner to identify one of your opponents each to play against?

This might change hole by hole depending on shots given/received and might not even be decided until the drives are in play. I'm kind of thinking ahead to our (Homer & I) volvo matchplay next week. I've not discussed this with Homer yet and like I said, I've been kind of kicking this around in my head all day so I thought I'd canvass the esteemed members of the forum as to whether something like this is advisable or whether you have any other tactics you employ?

 

[goldenbare]

I think you might be over thinking hawkeye....

The lowest score of the 4 of you (nett)wins the hole is the bottom line

The theorising in this sound like you have been talking to Homer

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Woah slow down there boy. Lets just see if I can get through the first four holes with the same ball before we get too carried away. Having done some spying on the opposition at the weekend, the 7 handicap is very handy but can be hot or cold. The higher guy was a lot lower in the past but has been strugglign for a while and can be very, very inconsistent. The low guy hits it a fair distance and is tidy around the green and the other guy is a sprayer.

I thought we did alright in our last outing just playing our own games. Not sure you can really target one guy in particular. I'm happy to try and back you up with pars where I can and generally loiter with intent to come in as and when required. Other than that not sure what else we can really do until we see how they are playing

 

[goldenbare]

See, even Homer thinks you're thinking too much

 

[richart]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but how did you manage to spy on the opposition Homer ?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I think you might be over thinking hawkeye....

The lowest score of the 4 of you (nett)wins the hole is the bottom line

The theorising in this sound like you have been talking to Homer

I've got to do something at work

I may well be over thinking but like I said, just thinking out loud and wondered if similar tactics could be used to singles - sounds like I should think more about work tomorrow!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

See, even Homer thinks you're thinking too much

I think the difference is I'm thinking "how can we win", Homer is thinking "how can I get it round"

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but how did you manage to spy on the opposition Homer ?

I'd like to know this too but I'm loving the dedication and commitment from my skipper

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but how did you manage to spy on the opposition Homer ?

I'd like to know this too but I'm loving the dedication and commitment from my skipper

Spy maybe a misnomer but I spoke to an ex Mill Ride member who still plays with them on a regular basis and usually partners the 7 handicapper in these types of event. He says the high guy is in a bigger slump than me and can have the odd good day (like me) but can be very poor too. Personally I'm not too fussed. I play a lot of inter-club friendly matches and I know these aren't quite as serious as defending the GM honour but you do get a good idea of what happens. Sometimes it is the guy you expect to do well that has the poorest game. All I know is I'll be there early, hit some balls to warm up and then take each shot as it comes and will try my heart out on every one

 

[MashieNiblick]

Well there's plenty of different tactics (one plays safe off the tee, one bombs it, let partner putt out for par before attempting birdie, etc) that are well established and I'm sure you know them all, but in my experience, whatever tactics you adopt, the most successful pairs play as a team.

All the best. Remember you are playing for the pride of the forum. Failure is not an option.

 

[richart]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but how did you manage to spy on the opposition Homer ?

I'd like to know this too but I'm loving the dedication and commitment from my skipper

Spy maybe a misnomer but I spoke to an ex Mill Ride member who still plays with them on a regular basis and usually partners the 7 handicapper in these types of events

Shame,i had visions of Homer sneaking on to the oppositions course, hiding behind trees, making notes and taking pictures,like a private dick tailing an adulterous husband.

 

[jammydodger]

Thats definitely over thinking it. Theres a few small things you can do like knock in a par putt to give your partner a run at the birdie etc

It's always best to both keep in the hole to have back up , dont try too many unbelievable recoveries but keep the ball in play and try to 'gang' up on the opposition. If one of them keeps leaving the other on his own then you can wear him down with consistent steady play to the point where they have no idea where theyre going to win a hole.

 

[Region3]

I don't agree with going for it off the tee if your partner's in the fairway. There's nothing to say they won't hit a bad one from there.

I agree with the putts thing, and going for a miracle shot if it's the only way to have an effect on the hole, but that's the only difference to playing singles imo.

 

[Smiffy]

Whenever I have played in an important 4BB match I find my best preparation is about 8 hours spent the night before praying that my partner plays well.

 

[chrisd]

We play all 4bbb if there is no competition and my experience is that you play your own game as a pair, one more attacking, one more cautious and that works for us. You clearly have to respond at stages in the match to what your opponents do but my philosophy is to try and play against whatever the best player on their side is doing

I generally hope though, that we are playing well enough that they have to worry about our game and not the other way round


Chris

 

[m1975]

keeping both balls in play is the most important aspect, you will often end up 2 vs 1 if you do that

 

[RGDave]

keeping both balls in play is the most important aspect, you will often end up 2 vs 1 if you do that

Yes. That's often the case.

I/we have some secret tactics which we employ only for 4BBB. It's served us well. Unbeaten in months, going on years, I call the tactics and my partner goes along with it.

Not that I'm a control freak or anything.

 

[funkyfred]

Hawkeye, To much time on your hands I think.

I dont know about picking on the not so good player. We played in the Daily Mail Foursomes against two guys at our place, they both hit the ball miles hit almost every fairway, and we played pretty well only to get beat 5&4.

I always think play to your handicap and make them try and beat you, if they do, OK

 

[Mongoose]

Most important is not to lose the hole to a (net) par.

Played quite a bit with a pal, we are similar handicaps, and being low its difficult against guys we give shedloads of shots to. We have always played it that he plays first, if he hits it bad I got for a plodding par. If he hits it good then we both go for birdie. Thats pretty much the start and end of our tactics, and seems to work as we've only been beaten 4 or 5 times out of 25+ games.