Match play - how do you tackle it?

[cbe_golfer]

Hello to all the golfers of the world!
I am interested in knowing what do you do differently in matchplay. Does your choice of shot differ based on where your opponents ball is?. How do you react when you are ahead and when you trail?.

I have been playing this format for the past one month and have been trying to treat it exactly like stroke play with differing results from week to week. Let us know your tips and tricks.
Thanks.

[JonnyGolf]

I have a pretty decent record in our match play events and my focus is "let them beat me" rather than me trying to win every hole. For example, at an away match, their number 1 handicap hole was a par 5 that played back into the wind (which was 20+) and had numerous hazards. I decided to play for bogey and if they can beat with a par on this hole, well good for them. So, I used an iron off the tee, played to safe areas, and I just missed a putt for par. My competitor ended up in a hazard, and never really had a shot a winning the hole.

Also, a great short game really helps take the wind out of their sails. Getting a half or winning a hole they thought they had locked up with a tough up and down really makes them press to win holes.

[jmurdock]

Play for Par. More likely than not, that will win you a match. Make the opponent have to make birdie to beat you. IMO, they tend to get more aggresive with their shot-making and therefore tend to make more mistakes. Also, a guy who can make par after par can get their opponent frustrated.

If my oppoenent is in trouble, then I tend to play for the middle of the green or take the higher % shot. (layup, etc.) Make them beat you. Dont get ahead of yourself in thinking that once they miss this putt, I will be up 2. Always expect them to make that 10 footer for par, becuase somehow they always do.

[FortAsel]

Well, my official match-play record isn't very good (2w, 2l, 1 tie), but everytime I'm playing in this format, I always ten to study my oponent on the first 3 holes, just to see how he plays you know... Sometimes it is good and sometimes isn't... If you see if your oponent isn't playing very well, start attacking and let the guy start thinking that he has no chance. If your oponent is playing well, just guide yourself by his game, I mean, if he gets on the green in regulation a lot, do the same and try to let the ball closer to the hole.

One tip that they gave me when I started playing this format: always smile, even if you are losing. Your oponent will get frustrated and you'll have a shot of winning the match. I know it's not a very nice way to play, making fun of your oponent, but it works and you want to win, don't you?

[neudi]

It's obviously different for everyone that plays it, but the biggest thing for me is to not get down if I have a horrific hole b/c instead of losing 5 shots I lost 1 hole so it's easy to get it back. But if I'm down I will usually start attacking more b/c the other player will just go for the center of the green, the biggest thing is to make sure the other player makes the mistake, you don't want to give up a hole b/c of a dumb mistake.

[mikelz]

Hello to all the golfers of the world!

1. Play your game. It's the only one you have.

2. Play the course first. 3. Always expect your opponent to hit a successful shot. 4. Concede a couple of putts early in the round (for ties) and then make him putt everything. I mean everything. 5. Take risks you normally wouldn't only when you cannot tie or win the hole any other way. 6. If you get down a couple remember this: He has the ability to f### up, too. Read up on Walter Hagen. Hagen won more match-play events (like the PGA championship) than anyone in American golf.

[wolverine318]

Play for Par.

Exactly what I was going to say.

I mean depending on your ability level you an even say play for bogey. Match play is great I love it. I love the pressure on myself and I love putting the pressure on my opponent.

[artfulgolfer]

Do what mikelz suggests and you'll do just fine... especially his last suggestion. If you get off to a bad start or your opponent gets off to a great start, don't get frustrated, just be patient and keep playing your own game. Your opponent will eventually play to his/her handicap and mess up a hole or two and your game may pick up. Stay positive and enjoy yourself. If you opponent has a career day and beats you, they deserve the win. In my last season of 9-hole match play, I went 13-4-3.

[Norm66]

I do much better in match play (nothing official, just between friends) because when I hit a bad shot or have a bad hole it's just the one hole and not my entire round I just ruined. I seem to gain a lot of confidence in that and tend to play much better.

[mikelz]

I do much better in match play (nothing official, just between friends) because when I hit a bad shot or have a bad hole it's just the one hole and not my entire round I just ruined. I seem to gain a lot of confidence in that and tend to play much better.

I'm with you. When I was younger and didn't care anything about money, I always got in better-ball, medal play Nassaus. If you and your partner both made 7, you probably just went down three. Add automatic 1-down presses and you're talking about putting yourself in a position to lose big. Luckily enough, I won more than I lost.

Now it's better-ball, match play with automatic 2-down presses. It's almost impossible to lose more than 5 ways and produces a more pleasant all around day. Don't try to kid with a guy who is down on 11 $5.00 bets after a three putt.

[lamebums]

Hello to all the golfers of the world!

I think about burying them. Since most of the people I play with are incredibly inconsistent, we don't often spot each other strokes. All I think about is beat them on this hole, beat them on the next, and beat them on the next. I'm not concerned about how far ahead or behind I am.

As to shot making though, their ball does dictate what shot I play, though. If they're in the garbage, I'll play it safe. Also, I know how the people themselves play, most of the time. There's one guy for example, who hits the ball a long way, but doesn't have the carry to get it over trouble. Invariably, he ends up in whatever's short of the green, especially if he's hitting his 3 iron. Or if someone's a bad sand player, or bad off the tee...you get the idea.

[Tristan]

Matchplay is much more getting in the mind of the opponent whereas, in strokeplay you are playing the course not the man. I like to play quite agressively in the first few holes to work out your opponent and know his weaknesses; this is the case when you have to give a few shots early. I always when my opponent is in trouble take the safe option as it makes him beat me not me beating myself. I also like to give anythig under 5 foot until the bussiness end of the match. There is nothing like the extra element of mental games in matchplay and it is always hard 2 get back when someone hits a bombshell on you. I was playing in a matchplay game and was 2 down early on, every time i got it back to one he would birdie the next hole. There is nothing like that extra element.

[JaY_B]

I find, match play is all about controlling your own emotions, the opponent must never know how you feel about a shot, or the entire round in general, you have to apply pressure constantly by hitting good, sensible shots, hitting the centre of the green every time is going to give your opponent little chance of halving the match, let alone winning it, applying this sort of pressure incites the need of your opponent to force the issue, and essentially force his own mistakes, match play takes mental strategy and course management to a different level.

[Crafty]

Match play is a great format because you can make a triple bogey on the hole, but you only lose 1 hole, whereas that can completely ruin your chances in stroke play. That being said, be fairly conservative with your tee shots. A 200 yard shot in the fairway is more intimidating to your opponent than a 250 yard shot in the rough. As for around the greens, consider giving him a couple of three or four footers early in the match. This way, he will either expect those putts to be given and be sloppy with his first putts, or he will become rusty in that area later in the match because he hasnt hit a knee knocker yet, and now he has to make one late in the match when it really matters.

[hawkeye]

I've played lots of matchplay in the last year - college golf and club teams - i try not to get ahead of myself and play my own game. Looking back at the matches i lost last year - the main reason was i tried to play the player and not the course.

I guess i'd be frustrating to play against, lots of greens, few mistakes, straight long drives - but some of my toughest matches (and loses) have been against guys who hit less greens, make lots of mistakes and hit short inaccurate drives. The main reason i'd say is the short game - they get up and down, they hole putts. Lesson is to have a good short game!

I'd try to take all the chances early on in the round - every shot counts - imagine when you lose on 18 i down and you 3 stabbed the first hole! I know, i've done it....

At my level, it all comes down to putting: who can 2 putt from a long distance? who can hole a 6ft clutch putt for par? who can knock in the odd birdie putt from 15 fr? When i get beatan, it's becuase the other guy did this better than me.

[bca42]

In general terms, I initially play the golf course, playing my game. And don't take many chances at all. Almost no matter what level of play, your opponent needs to make one mistake sometimes to let you back in. Only toward end of the match (once the 'table is set') would I consider changing this approach, and really only if I was down. If I'm up you keep the pressure. Maybe concede real short putts for halves early in the match so he doesn't get to make the stroke under pressure.

I never take chances early because it's way too easy to look back and later blame the matches loss over trying to go for it, whatever the decision is.