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First Ever match play competition (18 holes) what to expect???

804golfer

By 804golfer,
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804golfer Well Established Member

804golfer

I am playing my first ever match play competition this saturday. What should I expect and is there anything I need to know (ie rules, etiquette, play, etc.)
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Kcas77 Dedicated Member

Kcas77

In match play the farthest from the hole always goes first if you putt out of order your opponent can make you rehit the putt. I would give putts around 1 foot or less. Remember match play is all about putting pressure on your opponent.
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804golfer Well Established Member

804golfer

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In match play the farthest from the hole always goes first if you putt out of order your opponent can make you rehit the putt. I would give putts around 1 foot or less. Remember match play is all about putting pressure on your opponent.

Ok i understand giving putts about 1 foot or less but what about conceding holes??? is that something i need to worry about??

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meenman Great Member

meenman

Ok i understand giving putts about 1 foot or less but what about conceding holes??? is that something i need to worry about??

I played in my first match play tournament last month.

Concede when you have no shot of winning a hole. I conceded once - i was 3 strokes back, just hit the green and my opponent had a 5 foot putt. Hopefully you do better than me - I pushed it to 19 holes but apparently I wanted to give away the 19th more than he did.

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804golfer Well Established Member

804golfer

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I played in my first match play tournament last month.

hey, question do yall still keep ur score and also the match play score?? like how do u score it?

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StrayCat Established Member

StrayCat

What should you expect? If you've never played match play before, probably one of the most enjoyable rounds you've ever played. Every hole is its own challenge to beat your opponent. Yogi Berra's line, "it ain't over till it's over" never had more meaning in golf.
Driver: R7 425,  3-wood: V-Steel
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804golfer Well Established Member

804golfer

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What should you expect? If you've never played match play before, probably one of the most enjoyable rounds you've ever played. Every hole is its own challenge to beat your opponent. Yogi Berra's line, "it ain't over till it's over" never had more meaning in golf.

nice, but do u still keep ur stroke play score on the card?

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Jay-Bird Great Member

Jay-Bird

... I would give putts around 1 foot or less. Remember match play is all about putting pressure on your opponent.

I would give close putts early, but make your opponent putt them all later in the round.

Read up on match play strategy. Some people just 'play their own game', some employ deeper thinking into their strategy. If your opponent goes first and hits a drive OB, do you really need to hit a driver? Or just get a five iron into the middle of the fairway... A huge psycological advantage (usually) goes to the player who gets on the green first . Meaning, the guy with the shortest drive - if he gets his second shot on the green - puts the pressure on the guy with the longest drive. Another consideration is to really go after putts if you have to make it, if your opponent is in the cup in 4 and you're putting for 4 - you have to atleast give it a chance to go in (don't leave it short). Match play really makes golf enjoyable. Don't worry about anything, if you get down a few holes, it doesn't matter. You have to know you can and will win a few. Have fun & let us know how it goes.

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4 wood: G10 (ProLaunch Red FW stiff)
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elementz Well Established Member

elementz

I like Match Play. Being a high handicapper, it is not uncommon to see me record an 8 or 9 on the score card. In Match play, if I do that on a hole, that means I only lost that hole and not down 8 strokes going forward.
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TomDonS Well Established Member

TomDonS

Give your match alot of short putts starting out. When it gets down to the nitty gritty.....make him put them. He wont have really putted many all day. Another thing is make sure it is "YOUR" turn. If you have a bad hole who cares it only counts ONE against you. You start from E on the next whole score wise. Good Luck

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GDWindowpane Well Established Member

GDWindowpane

I love match play. Absolutely some strategy used...

I have never recorded strokes during match play but I guess you could. Unless the match is even/dormied going into eighteen you will not finish all eighteen. As others have said, never give up until it's over. I was down 7 after 9 and came back to win 1 up.

Keep in mind that if your opponent concedes a putt you can still putt it. I normally don't but have played against some that do. If they miss one you can bet that will be the last time I concede a putt.

Have fun, wish I was playing in it!!!

Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to...

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Canuck Well Established Member

Canuck

match play is great! you need to play diffrently then a normal tourny. be agressive when the opportunity calls for it and dont conceed a put those
1 1/2 footers can be knee shakers for some golfers in match play. Apply presure and have fun. The best part of match play is when need to be aggressive you can because if you loose the hole thats all, no extra strokes. DONT LEAVE PUTTS SHORT!!!

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bogeyhitter25 Great Member

bogeyhitter25

Stroke Play you just focus on your game specifically. In Match Play, you also have to focus on your opponent. If your opponent pulls off a great shot to a tight flag, you have to go right after the flag. If he hit's it and there's a 5% chance he'll get up and down, you can aim for a safe part of the green and 2-putt.
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Doctorfro Great Member

Doctorfro

There's no substitute for experience. If you haven't played before you will learn fast. What your opponent does affects your decision making. I made it to the championship match at our club back in VA and i lost on the first extra hole. One thing I did in a match one time made my opponent come unglued. I gave him a two to three footer early on (very straight putt). But down the stretch I made him putt a short breaker (he thought I was going to give it to him). He missed and got really pissed and I won the next two holes to put it away. Not saying you should get crazy with the gamesmanship but just keep your thinking cap on out there. Match play is sooo much fun.

One thing, if this is a handicap match where you are giving or getting strokes, be very aware where your strokes fall. If he's a 5 and you're a 9 you are getting two strokes a side. Make sure you really focus on those holes and don't waste those shots.


 

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uuassistant2009 Member

uuassistant2009

Have you played texas holdem poker before. The swings in momentum could be about the same. Also, understand that you can put the pressure on your opponent. If you are first on the tee on a hole, and you see him pull out an iron to lay up. You better hit driver and make him at least think about it. Also, if he is first and pulls out iron to lay up, pull your driver out long before he hits and make sure he sees it. Play the minds games whenever you can. Be courteous of course, but mess with his head and make him doubt what he is doing. The mental game is so fun to mess with and when you know that he can't focus on his game you have him. But most of all have fun and good luck. Match play is really one of the greatest games to play.
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Bourbon and Coke Well Established Member

Bourbon and Coke

I agree with the advice that you need to look at what your opponent is reasonably going to score and adjust your strategy to beat that. If you can 2 putt and still win, putt conservatively. If you have to hole it to halve the hole, the result is the same if you leave it an inch short or putt it off the green.

I threw my clubs into the lake so it's time to start over...

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Hybrid: 19.0° 503 H, Adila NV 85 SIrons: X20 4-GWPutter: Studio Select Newport 2

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