Matchplay - Same result every time - lose on the 18th!!!!

[superspur]

Hi all,
I am a newbie here, but hopefully I am in the right place for some advice. Every week or so, I play my mate on a very tough course in Sussex. He plays off 9 and I am off 21 ( 18 on a normal course!!). Anyway, we always play match play, and even before the game begins I know the outcome - I will lose on the 17th or 18th hole, almost guaranteed (this is probably my first problem to overcome!).
He is a slow starter, and I am usually quick off the blocks, so I will usually get to the 10th 2 or 3 holes up. We will then be nip and tuck, and get to the 16th where I will be 1 or 2 up. He will win the 16th (short par 5), and the 17th (long par3), so I will always need something from the 18th, sometimes a half will be enough, but I never get it!
Now, he is a self confessed 'good matchplayer' and I am not, so I need to learn some golden rules or gamesmanship tactics in order to break this constant cycle. He is great at putting me under pressure, not only by playing good shots at crucial times, but employs mindgames on me too, which always work, however much I fight them.
I tried turning the tables yesterday, but he just swiftly turned it back again and promptly won the hole!!
I love playing golf and don't let it bother me that I lose the match, but it would be so cool if for just once, I could beat him at his own game!!
Sorry to have gone on a bit, and thanks for any advice you can offer.
Andy

 

[bobmac]

Superspur, patience.
Perhaps go out one evening when its quiet and play the last few holes trying different clubs off the tees.
If you find a way of playing the last 3 holes well, the next time you play, you will be more confidant you will be ready to beat him, not waiting to be beaten.

 

[Owen_Thomas_14]

Before you start dont expect to get beat say to yourself im going to win. If you are on the last 3 holes against your friend try and forget about what happened before. Hope this helps.

 

[superspur]

Thats a good idea Bobmac, as these three holes are definately my 'bogey' holes (forgive the pun!). I will have to find a quiet time on the course, and play them 2 or 3 times each. They are not difficult holes really, I just have a mental block with them, as i know he will play them well, and I probably try too hard on them.

I have been reading a few articles, and it would appear that I am also doing the most basic thing wrong. Although we are playing matchplay, I am instinctively trying to make a good score as well. When I think about it, my opponent never marks a card, yet I keep a tally of our scores, and he is never curious about his score. This coming sunday, I will resist the urge to keep score, and see if that helps!

 

[freddielong]

The key to matchplay is to make your opponent play well to beat you, especially as you get of to a good start. Don't give him anything to cheaply keep your ball in play make sure he has to make birdies to win holes.

 

[superspur]

Thinking more about the scoring thing, yesterday proves the theory. I scored a net 72, he, a net 73. I scored 36 stableford points, he scored 34, and he says 'Looks like it was a good thing we played matchplay!!'
The penny is slowly dropping!!!

 

[Region3]

The phrase "self-fulfilling prophecy" comes to mind.

I know it's easier said than done, but inside your head is where a lot of the work needs to be done imo.

The only other thing I can suggest is to really step on it on the front 9 when you start fast and he starts slow.
If you can get to the turn 4 up he'll have to work harder pulling it back, which will put its own pressure on.

 

[Fyldewhite]

Good match players NEVER take their foot off the gas. It's much easier said than done though. Most of us get into a comfort zone at 2 or 3 up but things can change quickly (and usually do!!). Very difficult to win the last couple of holes when you have blown a lead, your opponent is confident and you are trying to work out how it all went wrong.

 

[ADB]

What's the course Superspur? Your handicap can certainly help you and it may even be worth setting a strategy from the off. i.e on the 17th, play it as a par 4 rather than having to nail a long iron/hybrid/wood.

 

[superspur]

Thanks everyone.
I have just booked next sundays tee slot, and will be employing some new tactics!! No score card, and a lot more playing safe. Just got to learn to ignore the mind games!!
It should be interesting.

 

[superspur]

The course is 'The Downs' at Golf at Goodwood. If you have played it, you will probably agree with most members that it is a 'handicap + 3' course, but I just love it!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Do you get shots on these holes? If so just make sure you do enough to make a net par and force him to par to halve. Have some belief in yoursefl too. YOu are obviously good enough to beat him as the matches are always tight and you are capable of getting a lead. Go out their and minimise your erros. Don't try and play these holes too agressively and lose them to bogey or worse. Focus on one shot at a time. Try and have a chat about anything not connected to golf with him as you start these three holes so you aren't thinking all the time.

 

[superspur]

Yep, get a shot up the 18th would you believe!! He loves 18 though, and always plays it well. Last week I am on the green in two, he is short - he then putts in from 10 feet off the green, and yes, I then 3 putt!!! That is what I am up against!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

But I bet you told yourself you'd 3 putt once the pressure was on. Don't worry what your opponent does but make sure you don't talk yourself out of it

 

[superspur]

Well, I am taking all these helpful tips onboard, and will be playing with a whole new mindset next week. I will report back on here next monday!!

 

[slugger]

sounds to me like you see these 3 holes as a big obstacle. Try cutting them down into smaller chunks. Hole at a time and shot at a time.

to me, it sounds like you only need to win one of the last three - the 16th. Learn to play it well and you'll win. Believe that you're going to win as well and it'll come.

My best golf of this year was in the club champs in the match play and i got to the (C*) final. Beat by the better man on the final day but i learned two big lessons from playing lots of different matches.

Learn to play the man and not the course: this means you're not trying to break your course (or hole) record. If you've got shots due to handicap, use them wisely. Lay up safely instead of going for hard shots. Play the easy game and punish his mistakes when they come.

Practice your putting. If your putting gets better, he'll think that you're going to make more of the putts that are on the edge of being a "given" or not. This will lend him to give you more than he makes you putt out.

 

[superspur]

You are right slugger. If I could win 16, it would change 17 as I would be playing first, and not trying to follow his 4 or 5 iron to the heart of the green!!
16 is a par 5, tight, but 2nd is downhill all the way, making the green very reachable! I can't resist the big drive and long iron, but next week I am going to play my hybrid off the tee, 6-iron to lay up and go from there! Even if I don't win the hole, he will wonder what the hell I'm doing, which might put him off his stroke!!lol

 

[Pants]

As a matter of interest, are you getting the full 12 shots difference or are you playing off 3/4 difference?

At the 15/16th you could always try the "You're playing well today. I reckon you are 3 or 4 under your handicap. Might have to have a review" Whether or not he is, he might start thinking about what his score is and that might just give you an edge at a critical time.

Alternatively, you could always change the format to Stapleford

 

[slugger]

you could also try telling him that you've noticed that his stance looks very open and his putter shaft looks more bent than the last time you saw him use it

 

[superspur]

Unfortunately I am only getting 9 strokes (3/4 h'cap diff). Maybe I should suggest full handicap difference, but that is really admitting I am crap, but I am not really that bad a player, just rubbish at matchplay. But now, thanks to some great advice - I am about to change.
Then again, I could try and slip a blue pill in his bacon sarnie at the refreshment gazebo (we don't have 'huts' at Goodwood, you know!), as that would take his mind off his game for a while!!