Matchplay Tips

[GB72]

Never played in a pairing before let alone matchplay and have my first chance on Friday. Ok it is only an inter pub match but alot of bragging rights on the line. Any tips on how to approach the match and what makes a good pairing. Most in my lot at mid to high handicappers with me at the top end on 25 and a couple of single figure golfers off 8. The rest are in the 16-18 bracket.

 

[golf_bug]

If you partner sticks on in the trees off the tee, make sure you find the fairway. Always make sure that one of you can score.

Also, don't be too quick to offer them the 2 foot putts, especially early on. They may be expecting you to do it, so don't! Make them hole out - it will test their nerve.
Obviously if its a tap in then let them have it....otherwise you will come across like a right @rse!

 

[KeefG]

Alternatively give them the 2 footers early on, then later on ask to see them in when they expect it to be given....guaranteed they'll miss

 

[golf_bug]

Alternatively give them the 2 footers early on, then later on ask to see them in when they expect it to be given....guaranteed they'll miss

I like it!

 

[madandra]

If you and your partner are on the green instead of the furthest going first allow the one who is nearer to sink it and add even more pressure.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Play as a team and make sure you have at least one ball in play on every hole. I think there was only one hole at Leatherhead that HTL and I both mucked up and granted HTL played out of his skin and I only came in on 4 holes we were in on every hole which sadly Smiffy and his partner weren't

A good tip is if you are lying say 4 nad your partner is closer for 3 you can opt to try and hole out first to give him a free putt for the win etc

I agree with giving a few putts early on and then ask for one to be made but DO expect the same treatment

 

[Herbie]

Never played in a pairing before let alone matchplay and have my first chance on Friday. Ok it is only an inter pub match but alot of bragging rights on the line. Any tips on how to approach the match and what makes a good pairing. Most in my lot at mid to high handicappers with me at the top end on 25 and a couple of single figure golfers off 8. The rest are in the 16-18 bracket.

I just played away from home for the team only yesterday, we won our pairing 2 and 1.

Right.
1. It does not matter what the comp is until the end of it!
2. Completely close your mind to banter and gamesmanship as some golfers can be quite good at it, others just pests.
3. You can demonstrate manners and etiquette without having to get into banter, focus only on your game.
4. Whenever you go to the tee you must never step up there with conversation snippits still lingering or even continuing as you set up and ready yourself. Make that time your personal time and shut everything out completely, the more you demonstrate an ability to play your game over your opponants banter, the more worried they become.
5. Try hard not to show the slightest excitement for a good shot unless of course its a brill hole out, make them believe its matter of fact easy peasy.
6. Never ever show upset, anger or frustration at a bad shot, think positive, relax, play a provisional, be positive about finding your first and move on, if not just play your provisional as though it didnt matter.
7. Beware the ar**y golfer who may start raising silly rule queries just to frustrate or anger you, likewise beware the cheat (they do exist)
8.Make sure you use your partnership well, back the player on form, take all team advantages like your oppo putting out for 5 when you are 6' away for 2 (gives you the speed of the green and sometimes the line) and dont allow unnecessary emotions rub off on each other. Remain focussed and chilled out no matter what.
9. try not to think about the game or score too much, just think about your own shots one at a time.
10. Dont try to overdo things, if you think its tough making a shot to gain advantage, take two shots and take the half, in doing so you can often find yourself winning the hole.

I also won the matchplay pairings before this one, and an individual matchplay game before that, I have a very good record in matchplay but your partners attitude can help or hinder, the best partners are chilled out and play the game as I have suggested or at least close to, your partner is very important to you even if they are having a bad dayso have a talk about it before you set off.

Good luck

Oops, just one more thing, if you allow people to advise you on here to give putts or not and you take it then you are susceptible to prompting , which is exactly what will happen in different ways on the course.
Make your decisions or choices on requests at the time, you dont have to give anything or you can give a lot, bt if you let others dictate things by their actions you already become controlled. Just play the game according to rules and sod all this gamesmanship rubbish, its matchplay, you are there to play golf and win golf,not the banter championship or gamesmanship cup.

 

[shanker]

Alternatively give them the 2 footers early on, then later on ask to see them in when they expect it to be given....guaranteed they'll miss

Yes. That's the way to do it! Keep giving them the short ones and when the game is tight (on 14 or 15) keep your gob shut and watch them hole it (or try to hole it).

 

[CrapHacker]

It's an inter pub match ?

Chuck out the waterproofs and fill up with tinnies.

 

[10luke]

biggest thing: keep going. was 4 down on the 14th tee last week and won on the last. theres so many stories of that happening, you're not beaten till you shake hands.

otherwise, i find you can take a few more risks as the worst that can happen is you lose a hole, no risk of running up a big score and ruining the card.

this is a personal thing, i dont like my partner to help lining up putts. they either agree with you, in which case there's no point, or they put doubt into your mind. completely down to personal opinion, i'd decide whether you're comfortable to take advice or not and then stick to that decision.

 

[Smiffy]

My usual playing partner has a habit of walking up to a return putt and just banging it in, no hesitation, he just likes to get the ball in the hole.
If I say something to him like "take your time" I can guarantee he will miss it. I did it at Leatherhead the other week and he got the hump (he missed too).
Sorry Norm.