Winning Match Play

Matchplay is a great way of playing golf either with your friends on a Saturday, or in tournament play, it is man on man, person on person.

In matchplay your best weapon is confidence, the way you talk and carry yourself around the course at all times even when things are very bad. Four down with four to play looks bad and it is, but you can turn this into a positive. You know that the opponent thinks the the game is all but over. If you can win two holes you may get the third and if you get the third you will win the forth to half the match. After the three lost holes in a row your opponent will be thinking he has lost the game. Very simple stuff.

The Scrambler.

Some of the best matchplayers are good scramblers, they can chip and putt like machines. This drives the confidence of the great ball striker into the ground. The scrambler is not lucky, they are good, If you wait until they stop rolling the putts in, you will lose!

The best way to combat these players is to focus on your game and not what they are doing. Assume they will hole everything including the chips, then you will never be surprised.

If you hit fairways and greens making your pars they have to play well to beat you no matter what they are doing. This takes there psychological advantage away.

If you do lose go to the practice green and work on your recovery shots.

Playing someone on a low handicap.

If you come up against a low handicap golfer do not try and match him play your own game and work out a stratergy to make your net pars to put the pressure back on him. If you try to match him you will make net double bogies. If you relax and play your own game you may find his good play will improve your play like being pulled along in a slipstream.

When to GO FOR IT!!

In matchplay you play the course first and the person second. Play your own game until your opponent is is real trouble, not just under a tree, but over a fence. The player may be a scrambler and like being under a tree. If you lose a hole that you thought you should have won the psychological damage can last holes. If they have hit their tee shot over a fence, hit your fairway wood off the tee. You must still make a positive swing at the ball, if you try and steer the ball you to may join them over the fence.

The miracle recovery shot should only be played when you are completely out of a hole, otherwise chip out and try to get up and down for your par. You need your opponent to hole out on every hole and not get given the hole half way down the fairway. Don't go silly though, if your opponent has two putts for the win from four feet tell them to pick it up and concede the hole.

Playing the long hitter.

Don't worry about playing the long hitter because it is not a disadvantage to hit first into a green and put the pressure on. If your on the green first no matter how far he has left the pressure is on him. This is why you toss a coin at the beginning and the winner goes first.

"Gimmies"

Be prepared to putt everything even if its very short and don't make comments when a short putt has not been conceded. If its short and your opponent doesn't give it to you this could be seen as a reflection on their putting ability. They may see the putt as a challenge, and simple judging you by their ability. But don't change your own "gimmie" rules because your opponent is not giving putts. Play your game not theirs.

Gamesmanship.

The only place for gamesmanship is for a social hit out with your good friends. No need to look bad in front of others with comments like " your back swing is a bit slow today" or "you haven't missed a putt all day" They second may seem like a compliment but it is a double edged one.

Matchplay is great, go out play hard, be friendly and enjoy.