Matchplay or Strokeplay??

[d2cko]

Just been thinking about this while on Scouse's best round thread.

When do you play your best golf? Matchplay or Strokeplay? And which is your favourite?

Personally I tend to play much better in matchplay but there is nothing more satisfying when I've played well in a multi-round medal. I love the feeling of teeing it up on the first tee of a 36/72 hole medal knowing that you have to hole out everything and plot your way around for the next few days.

If, like me, you play better in matchplay, how can we bring that across to our strokeplay? and vice versa.

D2

 

[Mungoscorner]

Matchplay for me.
I've always struggled to put a completely good round together in medal play.When i was playing well,i'd always be about par or better for 15 or 16 holes,but wreck the card with 2 or 3 silly holes.
When i played scratch league at my last club,i could always hold my own against players with much lower handicaps than myself in matchplay.

 

[bladeplayer]

Unbeaten in matchplay in club matches this year , played realy well // prefer stroke play to any other form of golf tho .. its real golf you add up & write down every stroke .. no hiding.. no false opinion of you round .. your score is every shot you took to get around good and bad ...

 

[Mr_T]

Having only ever played strokeplay, I can't compare which I prefer to play, however when watching golf I always prefer matchplay, makes it much more exciting to watch i.m.o.

 

[d2cko]

Unbeaten in matchplay in club matches this year , played realy well // prefer stroke play to any other form of golf tho .. its real golf you add up & write down every stroke .. no hiding.. no false opinion of you round .. your score is every shot you took to get around good and bad ...

Completely agree with you on the strokeplay! At my club there are a lot of Stableford competitions because the committee have decided that they are easier for the higher hcps. Which means that people can come in with 40 odd points and a blob or 2 on the card. Some people at our club only ever play in the Stablefords because they can't take the 'stress' of a medal which means that their hcps are based on rounds that they probably haven't completed fully!

Personally I think that CONGU should instigate a ruling that everybody has to play at least 3 medals a year! At least this way it would get some players out of their comfort zone and maybe make them better for it.

D2

 

[Region3]

I've played some of my best golf this year in our scratch team. I think it's knowing that I'm up against a better player than me without receiving any shots.

Still prefer strokeplay though.

 

[chris661]

Which means that people can come in with 40 odd points and a blob or 2 on the card. Some people at our club only ever play in the Stablefords because they can't take the 'stress' of a medal which means that their hcps are based on rounds that they probably haven't completed fully!

But your handicap is based on stableford once you get it.

Anyway matchplay sucks, except team comps. I hate singles matchplay.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Like the best of both. Medal is the only true test but I love the cut and thrust of matchplay particularly singles. However I've a pretty good club record in 4bbb format as I can be a little wayward but equally can be good on my day and with a steady partner beside me tend to gel quite well.

 

[Imurg]

I still hate Matchplay..........

 

[d2cko]

But your handicap is based on stableford once you get it.

Anyway matchplay sucks, except team comps. I hate singles matchplay.

Yep, forgot about the Stableford adjustment.

I used to love singles matchplay, until I was beaten in the scratch s/final by a 14yr old on saturday...

D2

 

[GB72]

I enjoy matchplay but that comes from my background of competitive team sport. I like the direct competition of it. Really like 4 ball, better ball matchplay. That gives me the combination of team spirit and direct competition that I miss from my rugby days.

Yes strokeplay is the truest test of golf but I find 4 ball better ball matchplay the most fun.

 

[Bash]

Although I see medals as 'proper golf', I enjoy matchplay the most. In medals (and stableford) games I play more percentage golf. When in matchplay, an opponent will often force me to play a braver shot (and one I wouldn't have tried in strokeplay to avoid wrecking my card). It's great when you pull off one of those shots to win the hole (and if it doesn't work, you've only lost that one hole and are still in the game)

 

[patricks148]

I've shot a couple of low rounds in matchplay comps this year, even had 4 under gross in one though 15 holes.I'm also unbeaten in matchplay so far this year and have not been past the 15th in any of my games, but would swap any of thses results for a good strokeplay card.

Strokeplay under yor handicap is far more satisfying imo.

 

[Fyldewhite]

Matchplay for me every time. It's you against him and allows you to really go for your shots or play safe when it's sensible. The pressure can be intense and it is still possible to grind out a win when not playing that well.

Enter a strokeplay event with 100 others and you are 100/1 from the off. At least you step on the first tee at matchplay with an even chance of winning. That does mean winning a medal is very satisfying though....but rare

 

[jammydodger]

At the moment neither

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I've played my best golf in strokeplay. I don't tend to play much singles matchplay and find it hard to get myself up for it if I'm honest. I think it stems back to when I started playing when the only thing I knew was to count the number of shots so everytime I went out I'd try to get the lowest score possible. Nothing has really changed and I find it difficult to adjust mentally to matchplay.

 

[HRC99]

Strokeplay. Proper golf.

 

[Mungoscorner]

In strokeplay its you against the course,and however many others have paid to enter the monthly medal,but you cannot influence anybody else's round.
In matchplay,its you against your opponent,and so many more variables to take into account.