• We'd like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas from all at Golf Monthly. Thank you for sharing your 2025 with us!

Are mind games acceptable in matchplay matches?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 1740
  • Start date Start date
Mind Games might also work against you.....I was 5 down at the turn in a Team Match last week, swinging it like I'd never played before, overheard a sarcy old bat from the committee of the other place saying, oh well thats one in, which only served to fire me up and i was back to one playing 15. Still got beat, but theres nothing like someone being a tube to fire you up a little!


edit: I didnt mean to swear! Sorry!
 
Playing mind games in a club comp rather shows you up as a pathetic little individual who is scared of the opponent.
Rather defeats the object don't you think?

If someone attempted to play that card on me a friendly..........well I know the best ones and will apply them without the opponent even knowing.
 
Don't do it personally don't see the point!

Did play against one fella that kept dropping the s word into conversation on the front 9 problem he found was that every time he did I stiffed my approach, we shook hands on the 13th and he's not tried it to since!
 
An opponent needs a golf game more than mind games. As Duncan says,someone trying blatant mind games is displaying a weakness. Giving some putts and not giving others is more a playing tactic than mind games in my opinion. Mind games are things like complimenting your opponents mediocre shots early in the round then saying 'Oh you hit away with that one' on a perfectly decent shot later. The Tiger Woods slow down-speed up routine is on the border.
 
My mate and i played again a guy last year who tried everything, his mate was as good as gold. But matey, would sneak into your line of sight on the tee or on the fairway. But his fav was jangleing all the stuff in his pockets while you were putting..

they lost, and he was not happy;)
 
It does depend what constitutes a "mind game" I mean the amount of false calls about rules could be considered as for talking whilst playing shots that to. Shadows being cast across your putt, movement in your peripheral vision etc..
To be honest I have not noticed any of these, but my nickname at the club was "spaceman" and my partner in the league matches always talked he had verbal diahorea ( no one could play with him, apparently) . He wasn't playing mind games he just talked between shots and about golf, he never spoke whilst others played their shots... It was just endless chatter. It never bothered me, I like it when someone doesn't make me feel uncomfortable about not having much to say. But the point most people saw me go in to a world of my own and not be affected by everything around me. So you can jingle your keys and talk stand where you like in my peripheral vision, I more or less wont notice it I am somewhere else.
 
Haha, im rubbish at them so i dont bother. When I used to play cricket I used to open the batting and would often get sledged and just laugh it off, so ive followed on with my golf from there really.
 
Great question.
I play regularly with a mate of mine where we will needle each other occasionally but not always. Sometimes we do the polar opposite and try to encourage each other.
It depends on the individual as to whether I consider it banter or just find it annoying. There is one person I have played with recently who played mind games the whole time but complained when anyone did it back to him ... now that is mind boggler
 
Massive difference between mind games and banter.

Playing with people I know I can have a laugh with then banter's great. I'd never intentionally try to put anyone off their game though, no matter how well I know them.

In a strange way, I don't mind people trying it on with me. I have zero killer instinct, so anything that winds me up acts as a good incentive.
 
Matchplay is psychological warfare.

Matchplay is to strokeplay what chess is to draughts.

From the moment you are drawn against a player, say he's off scratch, you may feel intimidated if your giving away loads of shots, this may lead to over confidence.

Are these all not mind games?

I've seen a fair few of them.

Like the scratch player smashing the living daylights out of drives to intimidate me (I won that 5&4).

Questioning the number of shots I got, saying it was 3/4 difference no full difference (I won that one).

Leaving the flagstick below the hole when you have a slippery downhill putt.

But the worse for me has to be finishing off a short putt (3 feet)when, really it's me to play. Of course you ask for them to replay it, but in the two instances it has happened I did not know the ruling. However as I know it now I would do it without hesistation.

There is so much one can do to play with an opponents mind.

Personally, for me when they play a bad shot or a putt lips out for a half, I say nothing and let the disappointment sink in.
 
I agree actually that mind games are played all the time and the professionals do it.

We see it in the Ryder cup when they play foursomes.
One team may not take the best drive off the tee so they have the honours and can stick it 2 feet from the flag. That's going to be a confidence shaker if you are next to play.

Ian Poulter with his death stares after sinking huge putts in match play events. He gets himself and the crowd revved up, definitely trying to get into the mind of his opponent.

Bubba Watson on the tee in the Ryder cup getting the crowd cheering before he tees off ... mind games? I think so

Mind games are only mind games if you let them take over. Some people can cope with them, some can't, some people peform better when under pressure. I think it is just really important to have fun out there and keep playing your golf.
 
A classic trick which was used on me at a match play event a few years ago was from an old boy. He said to me as we were going down the 16th (me 1 up) 'When you swing your club, when do you breathe in? as you take back your swing ? or do you hold your breath?'. I'd never actually noticed this in my golf game ever until then. I completely lost the ability to play golf. I lost and he winked as he shook my hand...
 
Yrrah09 said:
A classic trick which was used on me at a match play event a few years ago was from an old boy. He said to me as we were going down the 16th (me 1 up) 'When you swing your club, when do you breathe in? as you take back your swing ? or do you hold your breath?'. I'd never actually noticed this in my golf game ever until then. I completely lost the ability to play golf. I lost and he winked as he shook my hand...
Click to expand...

see post #31 ;)
 
Golf is a battle of mind and skill imo.

I choose my words and actions in a matchplay game but i suppose it depends what people see as mind games or banter etc.

A famous man once said :-

“I look into their eyes, shake their hand, pat their back, and wish them luck, but I am thinking, 'I am going to bury you.”
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
  • Poll Poll
Roll-Up/Swindle/Fuddle Format
Replies
14
Views
2K
Arthur Wedge
Arthur Wedge
P
Why are people A-Holes when playing MATCHPLAY?
5 6 7
Replies
121
Views
14K
Sid Rixon IV
S
Orikoru
Worst Ryder Cup Captains?
2 3 4
Replies
66
Views
3K
craigstardis1976
C
Mel Smooth
Your Best Round of the Year?
2
Replies
23
Views
3K
RedEyes
RedEyes
D
Matchplay 4 ball playoff hole - new day
Replies
18
Views
3K
tadabq
tadabq
Top