State of mind in matchplay

[roccokj]

I Played in my first matchplay match last Wednesday...I won the first two holes to go two up. During the next few holes I kept reassuring myself that I don't need to worry about anything as I have a pretty good lead so I can just calm down. Suddenly I began losing holes and ended up 4 down for the front 9. Over the back 9 I tried to forget about my misfortunes and began to really focus on doing well. I managed to reduce my opponent's lead to 1up thru 15. On 16 I left my 2nd shot in the greenside bunker which was wet from the rain. I am very successful in bunkers yet as I stood over that shot I began doubting my technique and ended up just about getting it out. As I began my 4th shot I remembered my chip-in I had from the same spot a couple of weeks ago. I hit a simple bump and run...and you may have guessed it...I chipped in!

From this I learnt three lessons:

1. Never ever lay-back in match-play, especially on the starting holes
2. Keep doing your best until you run out of holes...
3. There is such thing as a chip-in!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I came back from 2 down and 3 to go on Saturday to win at the 20th. It was on of thos nip and tuck games but he played one good hole and I messed one up and suddenly he's 2 up. The good thing was I didn't panic and try and press and he duly mucked 16 up (and he had a shot) and I won 17 with a par. Played the last sensibly in the conditions although I din't plan to leave an 8 footer for the half. Had a chance on the 19th but bottled the putt and he then mucked the 20th up (drove OB and he had a shot).

I agree that you can't lay off and take things for granted but also, play within your limitations and just try and keep alive on each hole as you never know what'll happen

 

[rgs]

Always make our opponent win the hole--dont give it away.

 

[muttleee]

I won the first two holes to go two up. During the next few holes I kept reassuring myself that I don't need to worry about anything as I have a pretty good lead so I can just calm down. Suddenly I began losing holes and ended up 4 down for the front 9.

Sorry to be picky but if you went from 2 up after 2 to 4 down after 9, you must have lost 6 out of 7 holes! That 'pretty good lead' can't have lasted too long...

 

[brendy]

I won my matchplay game at Ardglass on Sunday 3&1 in the Holt Shield (40 clubs in the Belfast locality, 5 single matchplay players per team and champions league style format), I think we halved 2 holes and every other one was a win or a loss, I had so many chances to put the game away but just couldnt string more than 2 good holes together. Was 3 up after 13 and lost 2 holes soon after but managed to get it back to 2 up on the 16th green before my opponent lost a ball on the 17th after I hit a good solid drive up the middle. Searched for at least 5 mins and the guy shook my hand. It was strange as I was disappointed I never got to finish it off on the green.
It really is a different game compared to strokeplay.

 

[RGDave]

I play my normal game.....unless I've messed up big-time and need to do something freaky to be in with a shout on a hole.
I'm not a streaky player though, it's tough to beat me when I rarely make worse than a bogey.
I do get beaten, but working out the approx' gross scores afterwards, it's normally by someone who's taken advantage of the shot holes, or parred the ones where I can't reach.
I always step on the tee expecting to "bag" at least 2 or 3 holes where my opponent blows up.....unless he is off a very low h'cap.

Last time I played with the assistant (off about 4) we were level on 17. I dinked it over the lake, not exactly guaranteed two putt, but he guessed he'd need a birdie to halve with me. Went for a sucker pin, we both made 3, I went one-up. Up the last (no strokes) all I had to do was hit the green (playing first into the green) and he'd have the same pressure. Did that, and he had no choice but to attack the flag....didn't work.....both of us played well, I could've gifted him either of those holes, but just played steady and sensible.....