Matchplay vs strokeplay

I'm playing a matchplay tournament over the summer.

Never played matchplay before. Can somebody give me some pointers as to differences in rules, things to remember, good strategies?

Remember that conceding holes or shots cannot be rejected or withdrawn. If you say "it's good" or "you can have this hole" - there's no taking it back or saying 'no, thank you'.

Generally speaking, a rules breach results in loss of hole (save a few exceptions).

One of the fun differences is that you can practice on the course before or between rounds in a matchplay event (you're DQ'd for strokeplay).

One of the mindjobs in match play is that if your opponent plays out of turn, you can inform him of such and require that he replay the stroke (in proper turn), at no penalty.

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PCS Class 'A' Clubfitter

A new highlight: Golfing the home course on Christmas Day.

I say it too often: If it's golf club shaped, you can play with it.

For the record, I'm a club doctor, not a swing doctor.

I never knew most of that and I play matchplay all the time! Thanks Lowpost!

A really good strategy in matchplay is one advocated by the late Walter Hagan.

He would purposefully choke down on his driver so it looked like he was a short hitter/swinging it bad and hence be hitting to the green first so he could put the pressure on!

Another good one is to ask what the score is when you're 2 up (but not necessarily after 2 holes! That might be taking it a bit far!).

Also, you have a choice as to how to influence your opponents putting. You can either give him a generous gimme at the start of the round, then not give one of a similar length later on when it really matters. Alternatively, if you think your opponent might be nervous from the start, make him putt the first short one of the day. If he misses it he'll be in tatters!

Cruel game. Well, it is when I play it!

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Luke: I don't believe it!
Yoda: That is why you fail.

Agree. Make him putt out early to test his metal if he misses a couple in a row he will struggle all day (confidence shot). If he makes them make him putt out again on the 12th or 13th just to surprise him. The most important thing play your own game at your tempo, do not let your opponent rush you. I have actually won matches by forcing my opponent to slow down as it can break their rhythm. If you miss a putt or play a bad shot do not throw clubs or crack mentally, likewise if your opponent plays a once in a lifetime shot, if you do your opponent knows he has you on toast

Mox,

Play a safe game and leave hero shots for another day. If your opponent plays a shot out of bounds then play a safe shot into the fairway, even if its with a shorter club. If he hits the water then lay yours up. If he plays a hero shot that comes off don't be tempted to follow it, play safe. If he putts way past then lag yours up. Watch how his ball rolls on the green and make any allowance in your putt. If he winds himself up over bad shots then ignore it and make sure you don't do the same.

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

Hi Mox,
Regarding match play, this advice from Brian is as good as it gets, match play is wonderful, very exciting at any level. You are actually playing eighteen mini tournaments, play one hole at at time and never get ahead of yourself. I won the match play championship at my club a number of years ago playing off a seven handicap, I was three down after six holes. My competitor got way ahead of himself and that was his downfall, remember even if you took a quadruple bogey eight on a par four and your competitor makes a birdie three it's only one hole you lost, not five shots. Play it one hole at a time and follow Brian's advice, good luck, buteman.