Team Match

[stokie_93]

Playing in my first team match for my new club tomorrow!
Haven't played in a team match since I was a junior so going to be a new(ish) experience.

Fortunately my PP is a good friend of mine who is a good golfer but very inconsistent for a 5 handicapper!

Does anyone go in to team games with a different plan to their normal game or a different mindset and any good tips at all?

(Of course I could throw in the 'you're playing very well, you might beat us 8&7 at this rate) :mmm::mmm:

 

[Deleted member 18121]

I like talking tactics....ie one person being a bit more risky with shots and don't forget to talk about putts (line/break etc)

Also the normal mind games......get to the hole first and stand there with driver. Even if its a 100 yard par 3.

 

[stokie_93]

I like talking tactics....ie one person being a bit more risky with shots and don't forget to talk about putts (line/break etc)

Also the normal mind games......get to the hole first and stand there with driver. Even if its a 100 yard par 3.

haha brilliant!
Playing away at Wychwood Park but luckily a good friend works there and I play it just as much as my home course so I know it inside out!

In regards to talking about putts on greens etc are there any rules that I need to be aware of?
I know its a bit varied from individual obviously...

 

[Deleted member 18121]

In regards to talking about putts on greens etc are there any rules that I need to be aware of?
I know its a bit varied from individual obviously...

I'm not one to quote any specific rules (mainly because I'm rubbish), but you are allowed to discuss the line and break etc just as long as you don't help during the stroke.

 

[stokie_93]

I'm not one to quote any specific rules (mainly because I'm rubbish), but you are allowed to discuss the line and break etc just as long as you don't help during the stroke.

would this be okay?

 

[Deleted member 18121]

would this be okay?

View attachment 19491

That's mandatory for team matches.

 

[Curls]

Every team works differently, for me I like an open thread of conversation but for others they just want to play their own game and not discuss anything, I know people who are dead against getting advice from anyone else. You know your PP well so should be able to figure this out.

One thing I'd say is that if you think you're out of a hole, don't just pick up. Play to the green you may even be on a similar line to your PP and give him the line by putting first (whether you're closer or further away, your choice who goes first). Only if your PP says "pick it up" should you consider it, he might just want to focus fully. Also discuss what you consider to be gimmes, and keep an eye on the shots everyone has, nothing worse than giving a hole away because of bad counting (it happens).

Most of all you're representing your club so just trust that they have put their trust in you for a reason and go out to bring home the scalp. Win the 1st. Then the 2nd. And if you're 9 up after 9, win the 10th. Don't let up or start playing for halves, the momentum can swing back and bite you quick when you start seeing a good lead corroding.

 

[stokie_93]

Every team works differently, for me I like an open thread of conversation but for others they just want to play their own game and not discuss anything, I know people who are dead against getting advice from anyone else. You know your PP well so should be able to figure this out.

One thing I'd say is that if you think you're out of a hole, don't just pick up. Play to the green you may even be on a similar line to your PP and give him the line by putting first (whether you're closer or further away, your choice who goes first). Only if your PP says "pick it up" should you consider it, he might just want to focus fully. Also discuss what you consider to be gimmes, and keep an eye on the shots everyone has, nothing worse than giving a hole away because of bad counting (it happens).

Most of all you're representing your club so just trust that they have put their trust in you for a reason and go out to bring home the scalp. Win the 1st. Then the 2nd. And if you're 9 up after 9, win the 10th. Don't let up or start playing for halves, the momentum can swing back and bite you quick when you start seeing a good lead corroding.

Thanks for the advice mate!

I've known my PP since I was 5 years old so i'll be fine with him.
we actually compliment eachother quite well cause he's a very aggressive player where as I have a bit more method to the madness!

Get where you're coming from with the not playing for halves, I played my singles match last week in the 2nd round and I was 4 down through 9 after an awful front 9 by myself.
The lad thought he was plain sailing but he missed a short putt for a half on 10 then from there I just upped my game and didn't miss a thing - I ended up winning down the last!

Very much looking forward to tomorrow as I used to love the buzz I got from team matches! Especially away ones cause there's nothing like beating people on their home course

 

[irip]

We always discuss who is going to be the captain for the day in our pair, it is then down to him to decide on whether to concede a putt or not, and who he would prefer to tee off first on each hole, it is normally the more experienced player who is the captain, although we always mix our pairings up for matches so you rarely play with the same person.

In this instance explain to your partner its your first match for a while let him take the lead and follow his advice you can just concentrate on your golf, and let him decide on conceding putts etc.

 

[stokie_93]

We always discuss who is going to be the captain for the day in our pair, it is then down to him to decide on whether to concede a putt or not, and who he would prefer to tee off first on each hole, it is normally the more experienced player who is the captain, although we always mix our pairings up for matches so you rarely play with the same person.

In this instance explain to your partner its your first match for a while let him take the lead and follow his advice you can just concentrate on your golf, and let him decide on conceding putts etc.

Thanks for the advice mate!

I think it'll be opposite tbh - I let him do his thing normally cause when we've played in pairs competitions he never listens!
He'd also never give it a putt if it was down to him but I know it works both ways.
I'm quite level headed so I know when to play aggressive and when to be conservative.

I'm playing some good stuff atm so i'm quite confident about our chances!

 

[irip]

Sounds like your all sorted then.

Go out play well and enjoy it.

And let us know how you get on.

 

[stokie_93]

Sounds like your all sorted then.

Go out play well and enjoy it.

And let us know how you get on.

Cheers buddy,

I'll let you know tomorrow evening :thup:

 

[Curls]

Give 'em Hell.

 

[stokie_93]

Give 'em Hell.

hopefully so mate!
Me and PP are long hitters off the tee so can always be quite daunting to play against!

 

[Curls]

hopefully so mate!
Me and PP are long hitters off the tee so can always be quite daunting to play against!

There's a story of two big hitters in a KO and the higher handicap, being slightly shorter, always had the first shot into the green. With no real pressure as of yet from the lower h/c in front he was hitting GIR no worries. With his shots, that made him a tough oppo.

The lower h/c dropped to teeing off with 3W/irons so that he had the opportunity to strike first. The higher h/c, now seeing his oppo on the green, was under pressure to do the same and started spraying. He duly lost.

Something to keep in mind if your guys seem unflappable.

 

[stokie_93]

There's a story of two big hitters in a KO and the higher handicap, being slightly shorter, always had the first shot into the green. With no real pressure as of yet from the lower h/c in front he was hitting GIR no worries. With his shots, that made him a tough oppo.

The lower h/c dropped to teeing off with 3W/irons so that he had the opportunity to strike first. The higher h/c, now seeing his oppo on the green, was under pressure to do the same and started spraying. He duly lost.

Something to keep in mind if your guys seem unflappable.

The course we're playing is silly long and the guys that play there will know they can rarely take anything other than a driver.

I've had some new irons which i've been hitting beautifully so GIR's are coming good at the moment.
Just hoping my putting is there tomorrow!

 

[stokie_93]

So... Saturday's match!

I'll go through it briefly for those who wanted to know.
Firstly the match got moved to our place so ended up playing as a home tie.

Our first is a par 3 - opponents hit one short and left and the other shanked one straight right.
Me and PP went, PP hit middle of green I put one to about 8 foot and birdied. 1 up.

OP that shanked then went on a stupidly good hot streak, he birdied 2 & 3 - I wasn't far off with a birdie putt on 2 and then my putt on 3 defied the laws of physics to not go in for a half.
The next 2 were crucial as they're the 2 hardest on the course - I was out of the first one as I hit a poor chip but my PP chipped to about 2/3 foot. We thought they'd give the putt but they'd seen him miss a short one on the 3rd and once again he pulled it. 2 down.
Next hole me and OP with a shot for the hole were both on for par putts, he knocked his close and gave it him for par. I then proceeded to 3 putt 3 down when really we should only be 1. Next few holes were forgettable and ended up halving until 10.

 

[stokie_93]

BACK 9. 3 Down. MISSED OUT ON THE LAST POST HANDICAPS - MY PP IS OFF 5 AND OPPONENTS WERE OFF 6 & 8. (MAXIMUM 2 SHOTS)

Started brightly on 10 - pulled a drive on to the next hole but still had a good line in, put my ball back of the green about 20/25 foot and lipped my birdie putt out. OP sunk his 15 footer for par (best putter i've seen for a long time) Fair play.

Next hole I pushed my tee shot right but then stuck my wedge to about 10 foot for a birdie putt - OP then stuck wedge to about 5 foot straight after mine - we both holed out for birdie. (At this point the heavens opened and we got soaked)
We lost the 12th with 2 stupid tee shots and we were never in the hole.

13th is a long long par 3 uphill and blind (silly hole) the 2 OP's didn't know what to hit or do and was not in the mood to give advice. They were both way short and me and PP both par'd for the hole. The 14th OP had a putt to make it back to Dormie 4 and at this point i'd have called it a day because of the weather but he missed and we carried on.

We won 15th after a great birdie from PP (the first time he'd really taken hold of a hole) back to 2 down and we had them on the rocks - you could tell they got a bit nervy.
Me and PP then got ahead of ourselves on 16 - it's a big downhill hole and you can really feel like you can open your shoulders and get at it - I slipped due to the wet and sliced one right and then PP hit a big hook OOB! He then hit his second one about 310 down the middle! :clap:
OP had a 10 footer for par and we made a double so we gave them the match.

Overall I was really impressed with how I played - gave myself plenty of birdie opportunities and struck the ball and especially my driver beautifully. On another day we really should've been in the game but our stupid putting mistakes left us chasing the game.
OP's were great chaps and we're planning to go for another game with them soon!

Hoping this is the start of a few matches for our team now!