Playing my first match-play comp tonight

[slugger]

Never played match play before, so quite looking forward to it. I'm guessing it doesn't differ much from normal golf, but relies more on capitalising on your opponents mistakes. So if he makes a poor shot, i need to make a good one to put the pressure on...

Can't wait!

 

[Macster]

Just play your game and dont worry about his.

If you have shots in hand, use them wisely to not lose holes, or if you're in good positon, to win the hole.

Enjoy.

 

[simplyme]

As above, just play your own game. If you have a bad hole, forget about it, it's only one hole.

Good luck

 

[Herbie]

Never played match play before, so quite looking forward to it. I'm guessing it doesn't differ much from normal golf, but relies more on capitalising on your opponents mistakes. So if he makes a poor shot, i need to make a good one to put the pressure on...

Can't wait!

Dont stretch yourself on any shot, let them do that.
Keep in play.
Play your own game, not theirs.
Dont think about getting something from their mistakes (thats hoping they will lose for you) concentrate and BEAT them!
Never be the first to offer a gimme, you are in a match, not a charity event. If they offer you a gimme, return the favour asap then let them do all the offering, not you, you are there to win, not play gamesmanship.
Keep the pressure on, if you have clearly lost a hole, pick up asap, give them the hole as though it doesnt matter to you and move on swiftly to the next hole, dont even watch them ponse about holing out as some will do this to rub it in or for practice.
If you go behind, dont let it worry you, most golfers have ups and downs, even those who seem to be having a good day, just keep the pressure on and make them beat you rather than giving up.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have fun and enjoy it. They are pretty good fun as there is less pressure on scoring well so I find I tend to play better and swing more freely. I always like to give a couple of short putts early on and then make them hole a 1 -1 1/2 footer when they are expecitng a concession as soon after as possible.

 

[centuryg5]

good luck, its a great format,let your oppo do all the worrying,1st opening holes if poss, hit irons off the tee to hold the fairway,to put pressure on him.and above all stay relaxed and focused

 

[slugger]

Well, i won!!!!!

I did find it pretty tough to not concentrate on his game as well as mine though. He did my head in a bit with the over the top celebrations on each of his good shots - probably just trying to get to me - but in the end i pulled through on the last two holes!

So, through to the next round, and i think i learned a lot from my first match play match!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Good man. I've got my 2nd round summer knoockout tomorrow against a very good golfer, and a wily old fox. He's an ex secretary of the club and ex military but a damn fine chap anyway. I'm not hitting great so not overly confident but will try my heart out and see who wins. At least I get 3 shots this time instead of giving 8 in round 1

 

[funkyfred]

Well done Slugger, played my first match about 6 weeks ago now and won it at the 19th, absolute great fun, although I was lucky the guy I played against was a really good guy.

Good luck in the next round, I've got last year's Captain in the 2nd round next Saturday, cant wait.

 

[slugger]

Next round is tomorrow night... looking forward to it again, although i hope the weather is slightly better than it is tonight!

 

[viscount17]

good on you slugger, who have you drawn?

got two coming up, 2nd round of the singles against, arguably, the society's best player, and 1st round of the doubles. now that one does worry me a bit; blow up in the singles and no-one's hurt but you, blow up in the doubles . . .

any tips?

 

[ColinR]

I cant remember which famous golfer said it, but it went something like

" I walk on to the tee with a smile shake hands and wish my fellow competitor a good game. However, inside I am thinking I want to crush you into the floor"

I like that thought for matchplay !!

 

[slugger]

Well i won again last night and am now into the semi-finals!!! And that was after losing my first shot of the 1st tee and conceding the first hole!

Really enjoyed it last night... the golf was better, the company was better and the weather was better.

The one thing that i'm really enjoying about it is meeting and playing with new folk at my club.

 

[janmolby]

Good stuff slugger, I haven't played in a match-play competition myself yet as I'm still trying to get my game up to scratch but once I feel I can play somewhere close to my handicap I'm going to enter one.

Let us know how the semi final goes & whatever you do don't give up on a hole no matter how bad it looks as I once hit my 2nd shot into the trees & took 2 more to get out again. I felt like picking up but decided to play on & hit a 4 iron to within 3 feet of the hole, it's still my best shot ever, then sunk the putt for a stableford point.

 

[slugger]

get in!!!!!!!!!