Matchplay smatchplay...

[Bunkers]

Howdy, got my first club matchplay singles tie next week. Quiet nervous actually. Only been playing for about 18months and have only ever played in strokeplay medals before.

What (if any) differences are there to playing matchplay compared to strokeplay in terms of style of play that you guys notice or can suggest?

Cheers

 

[Screwback]

Be more agressive you are only going to loose the 1 hole if you balls it up. dont get too worried if you go a couple down early things can be easily turned around.

Good format of the game.

 

[Region3]

Never give up on a hole. Even the best club golfers mess up a shot every now and then.

Also don't assume you're going to win a hole if you have the advantage. If they pull of a miracle shot you'll be doubly disappointed if you've already counted it as a win.

 

[Smiffy]

Also don't assume you're going to win a hole if you have the advantage. If they pull of a miracle shot you'll be doubly disappointed if you've already counted it as a win.

Is the correct answer

 

[Doh]

If your getting shots then use them, be aware where your getting them and use them wisely. often a par or net par will win a hole.

 

[Cookiesdaughtersdad]

As said, if you get shots use them but generally stick to your own game as if its stroke play.
The main difference I think is when putting, if you have a putt to half the hole, don’t be short, never up never in as the saying goes!

Cookie

 

[Redwood]

Not played in a matchplay comp yet, but my normal playing partner (who plays off 24) played in his first a couple of weeks back against a guy who was off 6.

he was 2 down with two to play, and squared it up, and won on the first play off hole.

I guess the moral is, don't be intimidated by better players. You've got the shots, so use them wisely.

 

[roccokj]

Not played in a matchplay comp yet, but my normal playing partner (who plays off 24) played in his first a couple of weeks back against a guy who was off 6.

he was 2 down with two to play, and squared it up, and won on the first play off hole.

I guess the moral is, don't be intimidated by better players. You've got the shots, so use them wisely.

that's a good answer, i suppose you could also rephrase it to dont give up. Last year three of the matchplay matches i played in i was behind after nine holes and ended up winning. I lost when i was all square after nine
in one match i was playing against a five handicap and brought it to a playoff back to the par 5 1st which I didnt have a shot on him. I the end I manage to hit the green in two and make birdie and he only manages to get bogey

 

[Leftie]

I love match play. It's the only form of golf where you are actually playing against someone else rather than everybody else or against the course.

Don't brood over any bad shot, or any lucky shot your opponent may hit. They are done, in the past and nothing can be done about them.

It doesn't matter what your score is on a hole - as long as it is no worse than your opponent's.

Play your own game and don't be affected or intimidated by what the other guy does. You might have missed the green while he may be on in 2. Concentrate on your chip on. It could go in or be stone dead which then puts pressure on him to take no more than 2 puts.

It's a mind game at times.

Most of all, just enjoy it.

 

[funkyfred]

During our Winter KO that is played under the Matchplay format I was 5 down after 9 and dormie 4 downafter the 14th. I then won the 15th 16th and 17th holes only to put my drive on the 18th into the pond. Even after all that i had a 7 foot putt that would have won me the hole only for it to miss right by about 1/2 inch.

The lesson is ''never give up'' and try not to give holes away easily, make the other guy win the hole.

But most of all enjoy it, personally I love playing this format, it makes a nice change.

 

[DMC]

Play your game game and dont worry about what your opponent is doing.If he is a long hitter dont get drawn into a long drive comp etc.

 

[jammydodger]

Rules are a little different from strokeplay too so be careful you dont come a cropper. 'Usually' any violation ends up as loss of hole rather than stroke/s penalty. Also you cant putt out if you've rolled up reasonably close.

Match play is the best form of golf you can play so enjoy it.

 

[JT77]

Dont get intimidated by the other player, make sure and play your own game, and just relax and enjoy yourself.

Good luck

 

[JustOne]

Played a matchplay on Monday, 4 down after 10 and managed to win 11, 14, 16, 17, and 18 for a 1up victory.

Sweet!

Generally I don't give any putt over 1 foot and expect to have to hole everything myself, I don't mind as it helps me focus on the first putt.

A lot of people seem to think that if they fire a putt 2 feet past the hole it will be given anyway.... nope!

I've seen the best matchplay guys crumble after leaving a 1 foot putt short! Do I care? No.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Be wary as there are some sharp matchplay operators out there that know the right word at the right time can make an opponent crumble. Stick to your own gameplan and don't be put off. Remember you aren't obliged to give any putts and don't feel pressured into doing so. If he makes a mistake stick with your plan instead of trying to react. Be prepared for him to hole everything and then it won't put you off.

Above all enjoy it. Its a great format and if you get a decent opponent will be a real blast. Hope the weather holds