Can't close out matchplay.

[louise_a]

I played my first (and last for this year) Nike match play today. I was 3 up with 5 to play, lost the 14th to a par and then halved the 15 in par to be 2 up on the 16th tee, promptly drove into the trees, my chip back on to the fairway ran into the trees on the other side and lost the hole to a bogey. On to the 17th a par 5, 2 decent shots then a 3 wood to the green caught a lone tree in front, never saw the ball again, would have struggled to get anything as he was on the green in 2. All square on the 18th tee, he hit the green, I stuffed mine into a tree, another lost ball. So I lost each of the last 3 to lose 1 down.

Ok it can happen to anyone, but its the 3rd time in 2 weeks, the first I went out of bounds on the 16th and then put a ball into a hedge on the last. Yesterday I was in tree on the 16th, lost the 17th to a birdie then hit my tee shot into the trees on the last.

So 3 matches in a fortnight where I was leading with 3 to play but every time lost the last 3 holes.

I have always considered myself to be a good match player, but now I don't know.

So is it just a mental thing? and if so how can I change my mindset to close out games?

 

[virtuocity]

2 up on the 16th? Hybrid for me. If my opponent wants to beat me, they have to handle the pressure of gross par on the last two holes.

 

[Odvan]

On the off chance I get through, was your oppo much kop, Louise?

 

[louise_a]

He can play very well indeed, but was erratic, hits it a long way too, just off the green in 2 on our 500+ 3rd, and on the green in 2 on the 490 yard 17th. Nice chap too.

 

[louise_a]

I have to be honest, that never entered my head but makes great sense, its just if I don't hit my driver I cant get the distance with my 2nd. Certainly wouldn't reach the 17 in 3.

 

[Hobbit]

It happens, but it can be a vicious spiral if you let it. Embarrassingly, even though I've been up in a game, I've had opponents congratulate me on a win when I've thought the match was still live. I tend to play in the 'now.' I play the shot in hand. The score doesn't matter till the game is won or lost - just keep playing your own game.

 

[Alex1975]

It happens, but it can be a vicious spiral if you let it. Embarrassingly, even though I've been up in a game, I've had opponents congratulate me on a win when I've thought the match was still live. I tend to play in the 'now.' I play the shot in hand. The score doesn't matter till the game is won or lost - just keep playing your own game.

Embarrassingly it's the opposit for me, so convinced am I that I'm going to win, I am often fighting for something on the 18th I have already lost Im in the moment too, a little too in the moment

 

[shortstuff]

OP: how many times have you played in a match-play at this level? I had a worse flop than this once, but with experience you get better at letting go of the poor shot that cost you and just getting on with the next hole.

 

[patricks148]

You can't win every match.

i'm usually a good matchplayer, but have not won a single game this year so far out of 6.

didn't lose a game in the M&N league last 2 years, its not the end of the world.

 

[louise_a]

OP: how many times have you played in a match-play at this level? I had a worse flop than this once, but with experience you get better at letting go of the poor shot that cost you and just getting on with the next hole.

2 years ago I got to the final of our group, last year I went out early.

Its not the losing that bothers me its the way I am losing from winning positions.

 

[Region3]

I like what Jordan Spieth said about his mindset in matchplay.

At the start, in his head he is 2 down. If he gets back to level he reverts to 2 down again.

 

[3puttmaster]

Louise,

For what it's worth, I went through exactly the same thing about 3 years ago and it drove me mad. However, I then started a series of lessons with my PGA pro and I talked to him about it. He gave me some great advice and told me to read 2 books written by Bob Rotella; they are titled 'Golf is not a game of perfect' and 'Golf is a game of confidence'. I was never into what I call the psychology side of things but these 2 books have transformed how I concentrate on the golf course and my strategy on it. My golf has become more enjoyable, my scores are so much better and my handicap has come down.

In a nutshell and I know you won't like it, but combine these 2 books with practising hard on all elements of your short game from 100 yards and in and the results will be fruitful I'm sure. I also have continued with one lesson with the pro every 2-3 weeks and we work on the fundamentals and the short game pretty much all of the time. As I say, I can't tell you how much my game has improved and I kick my own ar*e for not doing it years ago.

Hope this helps and stay positive; I'm sure you'll turn the corner soon

 

[Curls]

Everyone handles it differently, here's my way and feel free to ignore if it doesn't suit your game.

If I'm 3 up I try to get to 4 up. Doesn't matter if that's after the first 3 or coming down the home stretch. If I'm 3 up with 4 to play I'm aiming to win 4&3, not close it out with a par and hope the oppo gets themsleves in trouble trying too hard. We're so unpredicatble at club level you can't rely on anything! Playing safe for a par might well land you in bogey town. I guess what I'm saying is don't take your foot off the gas or get defensive in your play, if you've played yourself 2 up with a few to play then you're playing well, keep it going. In strokeplay how often have you had a good card in your hand only to put a couple of blobs on it trying to bring it home carefully?

Attack attack attack!!!! Your oppo will be spooked to see you still playing aggressively when maybe they thought they'd have a chance as you get cautious, it'll seem like an insurmountable task if you're still knocking down pins.

I love matchplay

 

[louise_a]

It nearly happened again yesterday in the club knockout semi final, I holed a nice putt on 15 to go 2 up, forgot about taking a 3 wood off the tee on 16, well I was driving well, it wasn't too a bad a drive but overhanging branches caught me out and double bogeyed it. Then hit my drive high and left into trees on 17. So was back to all square on the 18th tee, fortunately My opponent hit a poor tee shot and found a water hazard, this took took the pressure off, I changed the club I was going to take and safely found the green to win the hole.

Maybe I can now forget about this problem.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

In the same way that I know that from 4 down at the turn I can win - I know that being 4 up with 6 to play I can lose - and so I remind myself that every hole still counts. I cannot afford to carelessly just 'give one away' - as that way leads top a drip-drip of holes - so even when 4 up with 6 I will often play as if I am all square.

 

[Curls]

In the same way that I know that from 4 down at the turn I can win - I know that being 4 up with 6 to play I can lose - and so I remind myself that every hole still counts. I cannot afford to carelessly just 'give one away' - as that way leads top a drip-drip of holes - so even when 4 up with 6 I will often play as if I am all square.

In a word, momentum.

The golfer who has it has the match in their hands. Lose it, and it can spiral quickly.

 

[Liverbirdie]

I played my first (and last for this year) Nike match play today. I was 3 up with 5 to play, lost the 14th to a par and then halved the 15 in par to be 2 up on the 16th tee, promptly drove into the trees, my chip back on to the fairway ran into the trees on the other side and lost the hole to a bogey. On to the 17th a par 5, 2 decent shots then a 3 wood to the green caught a lone tree in front, never saw the ball again, would have struggled to get anything as he was on the green in 2. All square on the 18th tee, he hit the green, I stuffed mine into a tree, another lost ball. So I lost each of the last 3 to lose 1 down.

Ok it can happen to anyone, but its the 3rd time in 2 weeks, the first I went out of bounds on the 16th and then put a ball into a hedge on the last. Yesterday I was in tree on the 16th, lost the 17th to a birdie then hit my tee shot into the trees on the last.

So 3 matches in a fortnight where I was leading with 3 to play but every time lost the last 3 holes.

I have always considered myself to be a good match player, but now I don't know.

So is it just a mental thing? and if so how can I change my mindset to close out games?

Can we play our OOM match this or next week, then?

 

[freddielong]

You have to stay relaxed and play your game (it's your game that put you three up) why do you need to start changing things at that point.
It's the trying to close out that is causing you the problem.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

In a word, momentum.

The golfer who has it has the match in their hands. Lose it, and it can spiral quickly.

Yup - 4up with 6 can very easily become 2 up with 4 and then you are in the lap of the Gods (aka your nerves) - and as @Curls says - the momentum is with your opponent.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm terrible at closing games out. Even in pairs, we never seem to be as ruthless as we should be.