My first ever competitive Matchplay game......

DelB

DelB

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...has been arranged for next tuesday.

I've recently joined a local society, in addition to being a club member, and I've entered the Summer Singles Matchplay Competition. I've been drawn against a 5 handicapper (I play off 21) and am really nervous about the whole thing. I do have home course advantage, being the challenger, but I can't help but feel that I'm doomed from the start.

Does anyone have any wise words to try and get me into a positive frame of mind??
 
Don't be nervous. You have home advantage and shed loads of shots. Its not about playing the course and matching par its just about shooting lower than the opponent. Don't be intimidated if he outdrives you as it can be an advantage to play into greens first especially if you hit it sclose with a shot. It puts all the pressure on him to respond.

Try not to get too involved in the mind games associated with matchplay but there is nothing wrong with conceding an few 1 1/2-2 footers early on and then making him hole a few as the round progresses.

At the end of the day its fun. Go out and relax and try and enjoy it. You may surprise yourself.
 
Cheers Homer.

You're right enough. Here's me worrying about playing him because he's a 5 handicapper, but he's probably worrying about having to give me 16 shots!! :D
 
Drive over his feet in the car park :D
Orrrrr
Try not to watch him swinging.
If he swings hard it may put you off your own tempo.
Its only natural to be nervous so dont fight it and enjoy the day
 
He will NOT be looking forward to giving you 16 shots, beleive me !!

Its Matchplay, you can take twice as many as your Handicap allows, just as ong as you throw some good holes together too , so relax, and give it some.


;)
 
It is true that your opponant wont like the 16 you have over them, take it hole by hole, absolutely forget the holes that you play badly as there may be one or two, its about how many you win in the end. If you can play a hole or two early on where you can win the hole or halve it the pressure will be on them, if you are playing a hole and you know you have definitely lost that hole, dont play it out, dismiss it by giving the hole up. There is nothing more disheartening than playing out a lost hole and nothing more encouraging to an opponant, display that hole as insignificant in the scheme of things by handing it over and moving on in determined and positive fashion. ;)
 
Are you allowed caddies ?

I only say this because I used to occaisionally get a mate to carry my bag for me, for the price of a few beers after the match. Having a mate to talk to about the telly, and girls, and basically anything other than the match used to work a treat.

Failing that, practise your short game over the weekend. If you can compete with him from 50 yards in, your extra shots will win you the game, easily.
 
Try not to get too involved in the mind games associated with matchplay but there is nothing wrong with conceding an few 1 1/2-2 footers early on and then making him hole a few as the round progresses.
Click to expand...

On the other hand, if he's not used to your greens, it may well be worth making him putt out the first few holes. If he 3 putts early doors, it might well win you an unexpected hole, and shed a few seeds of doubt in his mind to boot.

It's something I only discovered by accident. But it's stayed with me, and I have been known to gain from it. :rolleyes:
 
To start with he's going to be very nervous about giving 16 shots. He hasnt seen you play and will be very edgy if he doesnt get off to good start. Let him worry about you not the other way round. Throwing a few bogey , nett pars in to start with will be sufficient to have him very worried

1. If he putts first always make him mark his ball unless its right on the hole , it should wind him up whilst hes lookin for his marker thinking it should be a gimme. Theres nothing wrong in then giving it to him after youve putted ;)

2. Stand tall on the tee and stick your chest out like you own it and youve graciously let him step on it with you.

3. Never , ever show any frustration with any shot youve played. Stay casual and shrug these things off (he'll be looking for signs of weakness he can exploit)

4. Ignore any 'luck' he might have , again shrug it off.

5. Praise only his very best shots

6. Dont let him bully you into giving him anything you're not happy too , ie looking at you like youre crazy not to give him that sloping 4-footer cos hes the best putter in the world

7. Remember...if it's close enough for you to think you should have a gimme then its close enough not to worry about having to hole it

8. Enjoy the experience

Good luck and let us know the result
 
Dont get dragged into trying to match his tempo or length, it will only mess up your game.
Remember if you bogey a hole, where you have a shot, he needs to birdie the hole to win it, a par will only give him a half.
But most of all play your own game.
 
Good Luck mate !!

I've just joined a club, I can't wait to get my 3 cards signed, and then start in some competitions. I am too nervous about getting started and entering my first comp, but equally eager.

I wish you the very best of luck, and can't wait to hear how you get on.
 
Well, time for a quick Crimewatch update................................................................. I only went and bloody beat him!!!! Am over the moon!

I won the first three holes, then we halved the 4th and he won the 5th and 6th. We then halved the 7th, he won the 8th and we halved the 9th to finish the front 9 all-square. I then won 10, 11 and 12 and we halved at 13. So, three up with five to play. Halved the 14th, lost the 15th and 16th and that was me back to one up with two to play. Squeeky bum time! He stuck his 7 iron tee shot at 17 into the sand to the right of the green and I hit a six iron onto the green, about 16 feet from the pin. He took two shots to get out of the sand trap and then sent his putt 15 feet past the pin. He just walked past, picked up my ball, shook my hand and wished me all the best in the next round!

If I sound delighted, it's because I am!!
:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :D
 
Great stuff Del , now I want to know what you learned from the experience. How did you cope with the nerves , was he nervous about all the strokes etc etc?
 
Well, played my second round match the other night at a course I haven't played before.

I lost the first hole, but then won the next six!!! I played some of the best golf of my life! I played the first 7 holes in only 30 strokes!! Anyway, lost a ball off the tee at the 8th and then wobbled for a few holes after that. I was never less than 2 up for the next few holes though and was 3 up with 3 to play. I won it at the 16th by holing a 14 foot putt, so finished the match 4 & 2.

Now, if only I could play like that every time.............
 
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