9 hole, MATCH, handicapped...

[Jay-Bird]

Our league has adopted a new Championship match play format this year. Much to the chagrin of many a member, we are playing only NINE holes of match play. It's handicapped. So if you're a 2 playing against a 5 you have to give 3 strokes (one stroke on the lowest three handicapped holes).

Most league members voiced dissent, mostly to the tune of: The matches should be 18 holes ; or They shouldn't be handicapped, they should be flighted .

Regardless, tomorrow I play in a match against a guy who I have to give three strokes. I'm a "1" he's a "4" in our league. I am looking for suggestions on strategy.

How should I go about the nine-hole round?

[Saint]

Birdie more holes than he does.
He's more nervous than you, so just play smart and make par.

[senorchipotle]

replace his balls with exploding ones.

[zeg]

You're gonna need some extra intimidation. I suggest a primal scream after each good shot.

[kpaulhus]

^LMAO yeah bring a few old shirts and rip them off like Hulk Hogan after a long drive!

[imtomtomim]

stick good shots early on. Every time he hits a good shot, take your time, and make sure you hit a great one. Especially when he hits a less than ideal one. It will really help to break their mental game down. Be a good sport too. When he hits a bad shot, just say something like, you'll be alright from there or something comforting without actually letting him forget. Without being rude, disrespectful, obnoxious or distracting, somehow show him you're just too good, make sure he can almost smell that you're better.

[Shindig]

If 9 holes are handicapped, aren't you only supposed to get half your handicap strokes? If you were playing 18 holes, 1 CH v 4 CH, you'd only give 3 strokes over 18 holes - now you're giving it over 9?

Strategy... I don't know. If I had to give up twice my handicap allocation, when the two players are that close, I don't know... as a 16, I'd be fine giving up 9 over 9 to a 25 handicap, because I might be able to handle it. But a 1 giving up 3 to a 4 over 9... I don't know.

[Jay-Bird]

Damn, I've just spent two hours preparing my shirt with perforations to help it rip and getting my scream to an intimidating pitch...

Looked at the weather and the ONE blotch of heavy rain in the country is over Wichita now and headed my way... Looks like a rainout.

[Fat Slice]

If 9 holes are handicapped, aren't you only supposed to get half your handicap strokes? If you were playing 18 holes, 1 CH v 4 CH, you'd only give 3 strokes

Yeah, that can't be right. You should be giving up 1 or 2 strokes only.

[Jay-Bird]

Yeah, that can't be right. You should be giving up 1 or 2 strokes only.

The league handicaps we're using are not our GHIN official 'caps. The "league handicap" is based on our 9 hole league scores throughout the season. I shot 40 on the last round of low net. So I went from a "0" to a "1".

In the original post I said I'm a "1" and he's a "4" in our LEAGUE. The quotation marks might indicate that to the cognizant.

[Fat Slice]

Yeah, well good luck anyway.

[Shindig]

The league handicaps we're using are not our GHIN official 'caps. The "league handicap" is based on our 9 hole league scores throughout the season. I shot 40 on the last round of low net. So I went from a "0" to a "1".

Okay, this makes more sense. I mis-read it, and I apologize for causing confusion.

Now, I have a strategy formed. Where are the holes he's getting strokes? If he's smart, he'll play for a natural par there, forcing you to make birdie. Go for broke on those holes, unless he's playing from trouble (at which point, go back to making your par). The rest, play your own game. You can probably make pars and birdies, and I suspect you'll do so a little bit more often than he does. Best of luck.

[Jay-Bird]

Many thanks to everyone who chimed in. We did play the match - in the rain - after all, it is golf. I won the match, but I lost every hole I had to give strokes on. We were all square after 9. I won the first playoff hole.

My next opponent is a League Handicap "7". I'm going to have to play some good golf to win that one...