Matchplay strategies ?

[Macster]

Hi all, I have the first of 2 Matches tonight, in different comps at my club, so just wondered what kind of strategies any of you adopt in your matches ?

I reached a final last year, where I played like an eejit, and duly lost, so just interested to hear of anyone else's little ploys to assist along the way ?!

I'm friendly when I play, and would never resort to 'gamesmanship' in a match, ie coughing on a backswing etc, but is there anything that you do that you think helps in your own matches ?

We're both off 10 tonight, so no shots either way, so should make for a fair tussle. Ive never played with him before, and he has the reputation for being errr.....slightly 'boring', but thats by the by I guess, off 10 he can obviously play a bit.

Any plans or ideas ?

 

[Wheyayeman]

The best bit of matchplay advice I have is to just hit the fairways, especially if you have the honour, and unless you are down and chasing the game then par is a bloody good score.

It doesn't hurt to give a few few longer than normal straight putts only to then ask them to putt a shorter than normal with a bit of break in it

 

[madandra]

I usually gie a couple of 2-3 footers in the first 4 or 5 holes which makes the oppo thin yur a soft touch but after the sth hole I make him putt out everything.

I played against a guy who (if putting first and came up short) would say 'Gzus, these greens are slow today' thus making you hit it harder and rolling 2 feet past or if he blazed it by he would say how slick they are so you dolly your putt.

 

[TonyN]

I tend to be fairly generous on the front 9 without being silly enough to give something he could genuinly miss.

I often let them putt out on first few to see what there like. If they decent from 6 ft in I'll give untill the back 9. Dont let them get going.

But even when I am given putts, I always have a go when the hole is finished, its importanat I get grooved for pace!

Best of luck, i love match play, my fave format!

 

[bigbiffa]

interesting! i have a tie to play tonight, im a fair and square kinda guy though, dont do gamesmanship, if its within 2-3 ft he can pick it up, any further he putts, i think thats fair, but hey, it takes all sorts!

 

[TonyN]

If its a bounce game, i find the odd 'Tricky one to half it' works a treat

 

[RGDave]

I play my normal game (in every aspect) until my opponent does something that gives me the "nod" to either attack or defend. All the time you have the honour or are hitting first, there's now't you can do, but bide your time and make the right choice at the right time. I know that you know what this means.
Good Luck.

 

[Region3]

Don't go for a miracle shot unless it's 100% positive you need to.

In my last match, SI2, giving my opponent a shot. He hit his drive straight down the middle and I hit mine right into trees.
I could've thought "he's going to be on in nett 1 so I need to hit through the trees onto the green" but people have handicaps for a reason.
I chipped out sideways, hit the green and 2-putted for a 5.

He hit the bunker short for his 2nd, thinned over the back for 3, chipped on and 2-putted for a 6 nett 5 and a half.

Never assume the result of a hole before it's over, it messes with your emotions no end.

 

[Fyldewhite]

Go along with most of the above, especially putting pressure on when having the honour. A good way to do this is hit an iron on the shorter holes to make sure you hit the fairway and then have the first shot into the green too. Also, never get upset if you miss a short putt, you have just proved that he was right not to give it.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I just play my normal game but then that's probably why my matchplay record is shite

I don't tend to play mindgames with putting and never assume I will be given anything, in fact I love a nice tricky 3 footer for half early on, if you make it, nothing puts the pressure on your opponent more than realising he has to putt well.

Must be matchplay day today as I'm playing one as well.

 

[DMC]

I generally just try and hit the ball fewer times than my opponent.

 

[slugger]

play the man, not the course. All you need to do is beat him on one hole!

obviously 3 or 4 holes up would be very nice, but don't panic if it goes all the way to the last.

I'm actually opposite to what others have said when it comes to putting on the first few holes... I make them putt everything, this gets them thinking they need to get it close all the way round to make sure of a score. Then maybe half way through give them one then no more, not matter how close they are.

 

[jammydodger]

I've got my singles tomorrow morning at 0800. I also dont really go in for all that do this do that nonsense. Just get on with it and enjoy the round as you dont have to worry about blowing up on a hole.

Only you can decide what length of putt you want to 'give'. I personally make them hole everything unless its hanging on the edge , cos I dont mind holing them myself.

 

[CannyFifer]

i've only played 2 matchplays but was never given a putt less than a foot as I miss them often, hence the handicap

 

[edgey]

Hi

I would suggest you complement your opponent on his good looks and firm buttocks and hold his hand after shaking it for an inapropriate length of time. Enquire as to whether he works out or just likes hanging around mens locker rooms. Drop into the conversation about your love of Roman Galdiator films. I have found these to be effective

Hope that helps in some small way

Edgey

 

[CannyFifer]

Hi

I would suggest you complement your opponent on his good looks and firm buttocks and hold his hand after shaking it for an inapropriate length of time. Enquire as to whether he works out or just likes hanging around mens locker rooms. Drop into the conversation about your love of Roman Galdiator films. I have found these to be effective

Hope that helps in some small way

Edgey

effective in a bar in soho

 

[edgey]

2nd place is the 1st loser and as such all is fair in love and golf

Edgey

 

[CannyFifer]

i meant to put a after my post

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Well another matchplay defeat, I guess I need to change the way I think. It was a society match so I was off 8 and giving the guy 7 shots on his own course so I was always up against it but I just didn't play that well. I don't know what is about matchplsy but my 2 worst rounds in the last 3 months have both been matchplay. I wasn't terrible, just not quite on my game. I was 3 down with 4 to play, won 15 and hit my best drive of the day on 16. My oppo was in the right rough with no shot to the green but I was giving up a shot so needed par. Anyway, I had 120 yards to the flag and my usually reliable 9 irin deserted me for the 1st time in about 4 months and I hit it 40 yards right of the pin. Ended up losing the hole and the match 3&2. I'm more annoyed by that one 9 iron than I am about losing the match.

Still, I played at Royal Ascot which is the 1st time I've been round there so I at least got a look at it before June 9th so that's a positive I guess

 

[nulassilb]

I played a matchplay today. My opponent had to give me 8 shots. I didn't play too well - but about 2 over my handicap. He would have had to play really well to win. I think the new system of full handicaps for matchplay instead of 3/4 the difference is an advantage to the mid-handicapper like me. The good golfer might be able to beat a high handicapper - but I play off 16, usually bag half a dozen pars and then blow up on the odd hole. Quite competitive in matchplay.

My opponent said he didn't enjoy matchplay as much as he used to because he didn't feel the new format gave him as much of a chance.