Matchplay v Strokeplay

[louise_a]

I am trying to understand why I seem to be a very good match player but not so good at stroke play. So far this season I have had 3 very poor stroke play rounds but 3 comfortable wins in match play.

I play just the same, I think, is it because in matchplay you are just playing the hole with no regard to the rest of the round? If so how do you take that approach to stroke play?

 

[fundy]

I am trying to understand why I seem to be a very good match player but not so good at stroke play. So far this season I have had 3 very poor stroke play rounds but 3 comfortable wins in match play.

I play just the same, I think, is it because in matchplay you are just playing the hole with no regard to the rest of the round? If so how do you take that approach to stroke play?

I tend to be similar, though I think a large part for me is I much prefer playing matchplay, and the more enjoyable something is the easier it becomes. Also there is the large bonus that one or two big numbers dont ruin your card (in strokeplay one treble means im in big trouble, in matchplay its just 1 hole).

The only way to take the approach across is to take each hole and each shot especially as it comes and do as best you can on each shot, still think that mentality is easier for some than others though

 

[RGDave]

I don't play the same *sometimes* - depending on my opponent(s) in matchplay.

We won the club matchplay pairs in 2011 and my card would have been quite unlike me. 4 birdies, 5 x doubles (or worse).

Most of the time, I play the same game as ever....but not when there's no choice...

 

[Oddsocks]

I am trying to understand why I seem to be a very good match player but not so good at stroke play. So far this season I have had 3 very poor stroke play rounds but 3 comfortable wins in match play.

I play just the same, I think, is it because in matchplay you are just playing the hole with no regard to the rest of the round? If so how do you take that approach to stroke play?

Match play..... Your playing an opponent that can make mistakes, and like you can play well or not depending on many variables.....

Stroke play... Your playing the course, which no matter how bad the conditions is will still always score the same.

In match play you can have a total mere and lose one hole... Even though you could drop ten plus shots on one hole. Stroke play rounds can be written off by one hole.

In short, match play allowed for a greater margin of error which suits mid to high cappers,stroke play favours a more consistent golfer with a lower margin of error...

 

[louise_a]

Match play..... Your playing an opponent that can make mistakes, and like you can play well or not depending on many variables.....

Stroke play... Your playing the course, which no matter how bad the conditions is will still always score the same.

In match play you can have a total mere and lose one hole... Even though you could drop ten plus shots on one hole. Stroke play rounds can be written off by one hole.

In short, match play allowed for a greater margin of error which suits mid to high cappers,stroke play favours a more consistent golfer with a lower margin of error...

I can understand that, however I always seem to play better too, today I played under my handicap as I did in an interclub match last Monday, something I can't get near doing in the stroke comps we have had this season.

Maybe its that I feel more confident, I am just trying to put my finger on it.

 

[chrisd]

I think the it's that in Matchplay the result hole by hole is almost instantaneous, your opponent plays and you react and vice versa, so the need to perform is immediate so you play well and get buoyed by that. By contrast what you do hole by hole in strokeplay only becomes important at the end. Also it's easy to dwell on high scoring poor holes and feel the need to get lost shots back and wreck the score completely.

 

[duncan mackie]

Maybe its that I feel more confident, I am just trying to put my finger on it.

For most it's a relatively simple psychological issue - for the majority of matchplay shots it really doesn't matter until you get to the green, then the equations are frequently very very clear. This gives us huge freedom in tee and approach shots but also delivers great focus for us around, and on the green.

Put another way, our subconscious is more of a negative element in a stroke play event. For a comparison - put a 6" plank 1' above the ground and balance on it. Now put it 40' above the ground and do the same. Your conscious thought process is the same but something makes it that much harder to stand in a relaxed and stable manner on the same plank 40' above the ground!!!

It's no the same for everyone - but it's significant for the majority.

 

[Birchy]

Matchplay is an easier game. No pressure to string together 18 decent holes. You can get let off with playing utter crap if your opponent does worse. You can even win playing rubbish but if you play rubbish in stroke play theres nowhere to hide.

Also there is gimmies

I find it hard to believe that anybody plays the same in matchplay that they do in stroke play as well.

 

[full_throttle]

I think the it's that in Matchplay the result hole by hole is almost instantaneous, your opponent plays and you react and vice versa, so the need to perform is immediate so you play well and get buoyed by that. By contrast what you do hole by hole in strokeplay only becomes important at the end. Also it's easy to dwell on high scoring poor holes and feel the need to get lost shots back and wreck the score completely.

Nail on the head

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Matchplay is an easier game. No pressure to string together 18 decent holes. You can get let off with playing utter crap if your opponent does worse. You can even win playing rubbish but if you play rubbish in stroke play theres nowhere to hide.

Also there is gimmies

I find it hard to believe that anybody plays the same in matchplay that they do in stroke play as well.

On the other hand you could have what would be a good score in stroke-play but if your matchplay opponent wins more holes your "score" counts for nothing, you still lose the match.

 

[louise_a]

I think the it's that in Matchplay the result hole by hole is almost instantaneous, your opponent plays and you react and vice versa, so the need to perform is immediate so you play well and get buoyed by that. By contrast what you do hole by hole in strokeplay only becomes important at the end. Also it's easy to dwell on high scoring poor holes and feel the need to get lost shots back and wreck the score completely.

I think that's it, also maybe each shot is more important n matchplay so it focuses you more. Just need to transfer the same thoughts when out on the course.

 

[kozmos]

Hi
A little tip I picked up on here a while back not sure who maybe foxholer ..
Next time playing stroke play try it..
Match play against you're handicap. . For instance 1st hole, par 3 you get a shot on it you score 4 your all sqaure..
2nd hole par 4 no shot you score 7 you're 1 down all to play for..
3rd hole par 4 you got a shot you par it back to all sqaure..
4th hole par 5 you got a shot you make par your 1 up..and so on...
Suddenly that potential card wrecking triple on the 2nd is a forgotten memory..
No guarantees this will work but does make stroke play much more enjoyable for me anyways...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Matchplay is easier and a six beats a seven irrespective of the par on the hole. As long as you get it in the hole in one less than the opponent that's all that counts. Strokeplay is a different proposition. One bad hole puts you right against it but in my own humble opinion a lot of the enjoyment of the format is how to you deal with it and battle towards the buffer. A good medal round is never secured until the last putt goes in