Advise from those who have represented their club

[brendy]

Hendy, get your practice round and take it from there. Making notes and treating it like a military exercise turns an expensive pastime/sport into something more akin to hard work.
Enjoy the challenge, if you dont you are less likely to want to do it again plus id bet money that you play better when relaxed.

 

[Andy808]

When we played our match at Trevose last year we had a practice round a few days before the match. I didn't take any proper notes but did take a few mental notes on where certain hazards were and places to avoid. Shame my playing partner had a total mare and none of it was relevant when we played those holes. One thing I did do on the way round that did help was to drop the odd ball in the rough and play it towards the green. As my partner hit exactly zero fairways it was invaluable to have a better idea on how to play out on a totally different course to ours.
Have fun.

 

[duncan mackie]

along the lines of Doon's post -

know when you are due there and arrive early
know what, if any, team/club clothing or colour scheme is expected (hoped for!)
have the right change for any match fee
carry a copy of the rules - takes away any arguments on or off the course!
stay positive before, during and after the match

 

[Curls]

Hi chap, just back from representing our club at the Mail on Sunday classic, I halved but everyone else got stuffed, I went off second but was last in, ha. Not to worry, felt great competing for club honours.

First off you must have done something right to get selected so chest out and believe you're good enough to play and win. Is it here?

http://www.blackwoodgolfcentre.com/the-course/the-hamilton-course/hole-1-2/

So thats the first hole, there's tips on how to play the others too. If you want to go the extra mile look at the course on Google Earth, there's even a measuring tape tool and its actually not that inaccurate if you're directly above the hole. Some folk may think this is a step too far and you're better off just going out and playing. Thats great for certain people, personally I like to do all the research I can before I get there. You can make your own course planner before you even get there if you've time to spare just using screen grab on the aerial photo. There's plenty on here will say rock up and smash it and if that works better for you, thats what you should do. I just took the thread as a request for practical advise and thats my two cents. If you take nothing else from it its that you should go out there and have fun but more importantly hammer the guy you're playing, as in destroy him, no mercy.

I love matchplay.

 

[brendy]

Meant to say that Phil2511 (mod) is a member there and Im sure can advise more. It is a very straight forward course with no real hidden dangers, everything is pretty much in front of you. A few drivable doglegs which might be better left well alone with a 3 wood or whatever. With Ulster Cup (bandit central!) the secret is not giving the hole away before even getting to the greens as 10+ handicappers can still make a mess before the ball is in the hole though unlikely as I know of plenty of stories of fellas protecting handicaps to stay in the teams.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would just use Sky Caddy (if allowed) and get a course planner. Play the practice round if you get the chance but rather than trying to pinpoint everything or making copiuos notes just play. If not you'll probably be to focussed on preparing, won't hit it well and won't know the course from the ideal spots

 

[Hendy]

Cheers for the all the advise guys, brendy I do know a guy that did/does that in a club near me lol in fact I think they got kicked out a year or two back cause he went to 9.9 the previous year.

 

[Curls]

Cheers for the all the advise guys, brendy I do know a guy that did/does that in a club near me lol in fact I think they got kicked out a year or two back cause he went to 9.9 the previous year.

Trying to distract myself cos Ive got money on Cabrera and hes starting to shake...

One more thing chap, last months mag and in interview with Larry Mize he said of the Ryder Cup team that they better start aiming at pins, cos you aren't attacking pins youre going to lose to someone who is. I thought about this today and on the two par 5s if i was playing medal I would have laid up, both times I said hes going for the green so I better too. Both times we went for it, once halved with birdies, the second time i won with birdie. Safe play is all well and good in medal play, if you can be aggressive if it suits your game, dont leave yourself in a position where you leave him two putts for a win. Good luck and match report please!