Tough tie!

[Tommo21]

I played a scratch golfer in the first round of the club championships at Dunbar last year. Qualifying in the first place was a big bonus but I knew I was in amongst seriously good golfers. Anyway, I got drawn with this guy, who has played in the senior open at Muirfield. I didn’t approach my game any different from what I normally do and I must admit he made a couple of mistakes, I did as well. I beat him on the first extra hole and he was not a happy chappy and I got many a pat on the back.
I went onto the first tee real cool as if it didn’t matter while inside I wanted to beat him real bad.
Short game and putting......the key.

 

[Region3]

Don't assume a hole is won or lost before it's played out.

Keep your ball in play.

Have fun.

 

[Andy]

Because she's lower dont change your tactics or game before you've hit a ball.

Play your game as you normally would and stick with what you know.

All the best Karen.

 

[bigslice]

Because she's lower dont change your tactics or game before you've hit a ball.

Play your game as you normally would and stick with what you know.

All the best Karen.

i agree with andy, also try and forget she is there and play the course. do your best and good luck

 

[scratch]

SHE is the one bricking herself, not you. You have nothing to lose. As you stand over each shot just think about all the times in the past that you've pulled it off, you KNOW you can hit the right shot at the right time.

And the longer that you keep the match tight, the more pressure builds on her.

Go get em tiger! :thup:

 

[bladeplayer]

i agree with andy, also try and forget she is there and play the course. do your best and good luck

sorry bigslice , this is a statement i dont get for match play "play the course" , why play for a birdie /par if a very safe bogey will win the hole , if your opponent plays 1st & puts 2 ball in the water or out of bounds , you lay up & play safe ..

playing the course in matchplay just doesnt make sence IMO play percentages yes ,

 

[Curls]

sorry bigslice , this is a statement i dont get for match play "play the course" , why play for a birdie /par if a very safe bogey will win the hole , if your opponent plays 1st & puts 2 ball in the water or out of bounds , you lay up & play safe ..

playing the course in matchplay just doesnt make sence IMO play percentages yes ,

I wonder if the "play the course" thing gets misinterpreted?

I mean of course if they've put two in the water you should lay up, against that I would be careful playing conservatively just cos they look like they're messing up, you never know if theyre going to pull out a miracle up and down and you half a hole you should have won if you played your own game. I guess its a case of "dont take on shots you would never take on and have no chance of pulling off just because your opponent is on in 2." In this way you should "play your own game", or "play the course", rather than play the opponent who has outgunned you. Similarly if you can hit the green 7/10 times and your oppo has to chip out sideways you should still play for the green (interpreted as "playing the course") and give yourself a comfortable win, rather than playing more conservatively than you have to and leave yourself a nervy 6 footer for it.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Fairways and greens FD - Make your opponent win with birdies rather than give it away with your own bogey.

Good luck :thup:

 

[bigslice]

I wonder if the "play the course" thing gets misinterpreted?

I mean of course if they've put two in the water you should lay up, against that I would be careful playing conservatively just cos they look like they're messing up, you never know if theyre going to pull out a miracle up and down and you half a hole you should have won if you played your own game. I guess its a case of "dont take on shots you would never take on and have no chance of pulling off just because your opponent is on in 2." In this way you should "play your own game", or "play the course", rather than play the opponent who has outgunned you. Similarly if you can hit the green 7/10 times and your oppo has to chip out sideways you should still play for the green (interpreted as "playing the course") and give yourself a comfortable win, rather than playing more conservatively than you have to and leave yourself a nervy 6 footer for it.

wot he said, on the forum im lazy when typing and cant be bothered writing a long and winding post.

 

[Scadge]

I don't think you should take a casual approach my view would be that relaxed but gritty is really the best combination.

Remember how difficult the person to beat is who takes everything in their stride regardless of good or bad luck and who doesn't beat themselves.

So I would agree with those who say don't go for shots that you normally wouldn't and keep the ball in play. Most people only play to their handicap once in a while so it might just as easily be your turn to do so and put the pressure on her - very few players are better under pressure.

 

[Val]

Play your own game, drive the ball the way you have the last 2 rounds I've seen and be sharp around the greens. If you lose you will lose to someone very good.

Mentally I'd suggest don't worry about her and don't even concern yourself as to how she's playing.

Best of luck pal :thup:

 

[patricks148]

I wouldn't worry too much, if she's low, then she's got the presure of expectation of the win.

Mucho bragging rights if you win though, good luck.

 

[Wayman]

Just go out and enjoy yourself
Have faith that you are going to win
If you go into a match thinking that you going to get beat
Then that's not a good pre game thought

 

[DCB]

Champion of Champions competition ?

Some good ones in there and some not so good It's all down to the luck of the draw.

Play your own game. don't be pushed into a corner and see what happens. It's matchplay, anything can happen

 

[Kellfire]

Be as prepared as you can be. That's all you can do. The rest will take care of itself and what will be will be.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Do the work on the practice ground and be as sharp as you can. Enjoy and relish the challenge and just do your best. If I put you down for a dog licence defeat then it gives you something to aim for :ears:

 

[upsidedown]

Go out there and enjoy it, they'll be just as nervous as you on the first tee, use that to your advantage

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Dodger..........ya just never know with golf.

When my youngest was 14 she played the previous years British Champion in the quarter finals of the SW England Championship.
She was progressing well with her golf and I was worried [like you are] that she would fold up and get a good hammering.
I told her to just play her own game and for every hole she got past the 12th the I would give her a tenner.
I met the match at the 15th tee [keeping well out of the way] and she was 4 down. She went birdie, birdie par to win 3 on the trot.
She creamed a drive down 18, 30 yards past her opponent in the middle of the fairway. Unfortunately the ball finished in a whopping great divot and she bogied the hole to lose.
Cost me a lot of money, but I was so proud of her.
A few years later she was off +1 playing a County semi final against a 5 handicap pensioner. She lost 4/3.

So you never know, go out there and try to play your NORMAL game. Keep the ball in play and play one shot/one hole at a time.
If you get a few holes up early on, don't panic. Your opponent will expect you to fold......surprise her.

 

[scratch]

DO NOT play the course! Absolutely pointless in matchplay.

If your opponent has stiffed one in close for a guaranteed birdie what is the point of playing safe for a par?

You have to play the opponent, no shame in winning a hole with a double bogey!

 

[FairwayDodger]

Champion of Champions competition ?

Some good ones in there and some not so good It's all down to the luck of the draw.

Play your own game. don't be pushed into a corner and see what happens. It's matchplay, anything can happen

Indeed.... and I lucked out unfortunately.

I've definitely got a chance but need to be on my game. I'm quite looking forward to it.