Matchplay shots difference

[BTatHome]

Have arranged to play next round of my summer Matchplay at my club. Have never heard of the guy involved, but he has a competition handicap so nothing to worry about there ... Except that I have to give 20 shots to him !!

I've never played a match over that many shots difference, no idea what to expect until I see him drive off the first but what's the biggest difference you guys have played?

 

[fundy]

i gave 22 to a 28 capper last yr, all good fun and he took the ribbing about being given 2 shots on a hole ok lol Expect him to play like a 28 hcapper and just play your game

 

[rosecott]

Haven't had to give that many shots but I did manage to win 8 & 7 on Tuesday giving 13 shots away. As has been said, players are usually off 28 for good reasons.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Gave 18 shots away the other week - which I think is the most - won 5&4

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Just go in with the attitude he needs all those shots for a reason

 

[Bigfoot]

True but if he is improving = tough game.

I was due to play someone once giving 16 shots. He won a comp and cut 3 shots off before I played him. He then shot his first ever round under 90 against me. I lost 5 and 4.

 

[MadAdey]

I think you just need to forget about stroke index 1&2 and accept you will probably loose them. You never know he might not be very good mentally and have the attitude that are gimme holes and cock them up by trying to be too conservative. Giving that many shots away you just have to accept you will loose some holes, just punish him on his bad holes. Playing off his handicap says that he will have probably 4 or 5 of them.

when you have the honour on the tee make sure you put some pressure on him by hitting the fairway, even if it means hitting a long iron, as long as it till leaves you in a position to hit the green.

on the other hand he could be a rapidly improving golfer who is going shoot 10 under his handicap and have your pants down, been on the end of one of those before and it was not funny.

 

[mikepops]

I played my first knockout of the season on Tuesday, giving away 16 shots to a 28 handicapper. He had already text me to say that he hadn't been out much and I could see from his round history that he struggled to play to it. I was still a bit worried that if he had a good day then it could be tough, but I just went out, relaxed and played nicely. Ended up winning 6&5, but had a great time, as he was a lovely guy and we had the course to ourselves in the sunshine.

In my experience people playing of high handicaps are usually more relaxed, and playing because they love the game, rather than to win, so are often much more pleasant playing partners.

Just go out, play your normal game, and enjoy!

 

[duncan mackie]

no idea what to expect until I see him drive off the first

beware this attitude

much better to let the whole match play out to understand what to expect next time you meet him

in such matches it's even more important to play your normal game than go making assumptions about what your opponent is going to score after his tee shot, second, when he's on the fringe, 10ft away etc etc

clearly I completely disagree with most of post #7!

 

[cookelad]

Was given 19 shots when I won the junior knockout back in the days of 3/4 difference, I was off 36 (or 34 I can't remember now) playing against the lowest handicapper, he was 4 up through 9 and writing his victory speech, by the time he carved 2 out of bounds up the last we were all square and that was only because I'd lost the 17th!

You wouldn't give 2 thoughts to playing with him in a medal because you know he has those shots for a reason, play your own game, hit fairways and greens and make him have to win holes don't give them up easily!

 

[cliveb]

Remember that high handicappers tend to be significantly worse putters. As a rabbit myself, I am constantly amazed at being given putts by low handicappers that I know I could easily miss. Just because that 2 footer would be a tap-in for you, don't concede it!

 

[BTatHome]

beware this attitude

much better to let the whole match play out to understand what to expect next time you meet him

in such matches it's even more important to play your normal game than go making assumptions about what your opponent is going to score after his tee shot, second, when he's on the fringe, 10ft away etc etc

I agree Duncan, was meant more of the fact that I've never seen him play, nor have any of my usual partners, and nobody I've spoken even knows what he looks like either !

I looked back on a few rounds, and he scored fairly close to handicap in the last couple of months (only 2 rounds this year), and in both of them he had a few 8's and 9's on the card ... but also a fair few pars, including back to back on the SI1 hole and then the next too.

We'll see what happens, I have a four day trip with lots of golf before the match, so wonder if I'll play myself into some form, or wear myself out

 

[woody69]

I think you just need to forget about stroke index 1&2 and accept you will probably loose them. You never know he might not be very good mentally and have the attitude that are gimme holes and cock them up by trying to be too conservative. Giving that many shots away you just have to accept you will loose some holes, just punish him on his bad holes. Playing off his handicap says that he will have probably 4 or 5 of them.

when you have the honour on the tee make sure you put some pressure on him by hitting the fairway, even if it means hitting a long iron, as long as it till leaves you in a position to hit the green.

on the other hand he could be a rapidly improving golfer who is going shoot 10 under his handicap and have your pants down, been on the end of one of those before and it was not funny.

Don't agree with that at all TBH. Of course if the opponent plays the hole well and pars or bogeys it then it's a tough ask, but let's face it with that many shots the chance of a dble or worse are more than likely.

 

[Scrindle]

As a high handicapper myself, I would suggest you just play your own game. I'd also suggest that you don't concede anything unless it would just be down right rude not to (6" tap in for instance).

Besides, he could hit an absolute worldie off the first tee...but it might still take him another 5 shots to reach the green if he's having a tough time! Equally he could do what I have done a couple of times and string together a lovely number of shots to birdie the hardest hole par 5 for a net albatross. Very, very, VERY unpredictable.

Ultimately, however, you're giving him a lot of shots for a reason; he needs them to be competetive. That is probably the mentality I would adopt if I were a better player :thup:

 

[patricks148]

21 to a 27 handicap.

a tip for you just make sure you win the holes he's not getting a shot :rofl::rofl:

 

[williamalex1]

21 to a 27 handicap.

a tip for you just make sure you win the holes he's not getting a shot :rofl::rofl:

Make sure he's first at the 19th.:cheers: