First Matchplay

[forefortheday]

So I'm in my first full year with my club and I've been selected to play in a matchplay comp on Saturday.

I know there are some rules variations so any advice on those would be great and any tips for a bit of psychology

I'm off 28 my partners off 12 and he's a mate so we should rub along fine.

Are there any big no-no's in Matchplay (apart from farting on his backswing)

 

[Oddsocks]

burping is also frowned upon. good luck fella.

 

[Region3]

Always expect your opponents to play the best shot possible. Losing a hole is ten times worse if you'd already chalked it up as a win 5 minutes ago.

Never give up on a hole because in spite of what I've said above, people have the ability to mess up big style.

I've never been into gamesmanship. Apart from it not being my style, I'd rather put all my efforts and concentration into my own game.

 

[USER1999]

Discuss with your partner who is the one to give gimmes, or there will be a bit of a Paddington going on when you give a 7 foot down hiller for a win.

No jingling coins, coughing, throwing ball markers, etc when your opponents are putting.

Be aware of whose turn it is to play, and don't play out of turn, unless it is your partners turn to go, and tactically it makes more sense for you to play.

Have you decided who tees off first in your team. As the better golfer, your mate might like to see yours first. On the other hand, he might feel less stressed going first with less pressure.

Declare what ball you are playing on the first tee.

Keep it in play, and don't lose it.

Talk to the other guys during the match. Nothing is more annoying than giving up your time to play a match, and then finding you are playing with 'picture no sound'. It isn't the Ryder cup.

Enjoy it. It's meant to be fun.

 

[USER1999]

If you get a shot on the hole, declare it on the tee. Ooh, I get a shot here.

Nothing more annoying than someone trying to claim a shot 4 holes ago. (you can't. Once you have tee'd off on the next hole, the score for the preceeding hole stands).

 

[Robobum]

If you get a shot on the hole, declare it on the tee. Ooh, I get a shot here.

Nothing more annoying than someone trying to claim a shot 4 holes ago. (you can't. Once you have tee'd off on the next hole, the score for the preceeding hole stands).

The number of shots received is known before the game tees off the 1st. Don't feel obliged to remind everyone each time you are getting one. You can share the hole and running game score after each hole ("okay, 1 up?") to make sure everyone is on the same page.

If anyone kept telling me that they got a shot on each tee it would drive me mad. Then again, perhaps that would be a good bit a gamesmanship against me!?

I am soo mentally weak

 

[bobmac]

Take a rule book in your bag.
If they claim a hole from you because they say you have broken a rule, give them the book and ask them to show you the rule.
There is nothing worse than losing a hole because you didn't know the rule

 

[19th]

Early on in my golfing life I was playing in a match play comp against an old, very low handicap golfer.

I was three up after four, going like a train but I was slowly reeled back in and it ended all square.

In the clubhouse afterwards as he drank my drink, he informed me that I 'would never be a golfer'!

He then explained that he felt I must have had a weak spot in my game to have, my then, handicap so proceeded to work it out and ... the result came as a surprise to me. He explained that he had started to drive short of me and then hit the green with his second shot and I, like a fool, tried to get inside his shot, tightened up and then missed even the green. He took me, mentally, through the holes as we sat in the clubhouse and he was dead right although I was not aware of this at all, at the time. I assume this is like a wee bit of OOB/pond pressure being applied, where you play a daft shot after playing with no hint of finding trouble, up to that point.

Lesson learnt? Play your own game but use common sense..if he is down in four and you are putting for four...don't lag up, go for it, you have nothing to lose if you overshoot by a couple of feet and you may go in, in the passing.

Good luck and enjoy both the game and the company and who knows in many years time you may be sharing the result of this game with folk on this forum!

 

[USER1999]

Fair enough with the shots thing, but you can at least say 5 net 4 when it is holed. I hate it when you walk off a hole and have some one belatedly going 'didn't I get a shot there?' Yes, you should know, and yes I might already know, but the wishy washy way these things can be done is rubbish. Be positive.

 

[viscount17]

doubles you're off 3/4 difference to the lowest handicap I think. so where you get shots will be different from what you are used to playing. make sure you get a scorecard and mark where you get shots.

very often there's only one active scorecard but try to keep yours running so you don't get lost.

 

[SwingSlow]

Sage advice from 19th. Play your own game, don't get drawn into a direct competition. Expect them to do well, so when they do you don't get stressed and can continue to play relaxed.

With a high handicap, like me, look for the holes where you get extra shots and play them well/steadily - they give you your best chance to contribute.

And enjoy it!

 

[forefortheday]

Thanks for the tips folks!

Played 2 9 nine handicappers and finished all square.

Highlight of the day for me was 2 putting the 8th green for a par (equals a nice birdie with a shot off).

Lowlight was standing over the 2nd of those two putts after leaving 15ft of a 40ft putt left.

My partner played superbly thankfully as I had a fairly off day to say the least!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Glad you enjoyed the experience. I met a guy last week when I was practicing at Sand Martins who I'd played against in a club match for Royal Ascot back in 2008 and he remembered me (my name which impressed me - I'm rubbish and forget by the end of the 1st) and enjoyed it so much he's invited me over for a game soon. These club matches are great ways to make contacts from other clubs and great fun. I love playing in them