Matchplay pressure

Hi All,

Yesterday I went back to the course after a few weeks abscence with my fragile back. Well, I organised to play a club member in our annual knockout comp. I was really excited about a matchplay fixture and seeing what all this "pressure" was about. I was 3 up after 4 and playing nicely. Solid drives and ok on the approach irons.3 pars on the first four, happy days!. Well, after playing 9 he had me back to 1 up, but I was OK with this. By the time we reached the 16th he was 1 up. Then, I came to understand what the pressure is. A good solid drive on the 17th had me in pole position to square it up and we are all square on the 18th tee. !185 yd. par 3. I normally hit a 4 iron here. Well I went so far right with the tee shot that I knew I was in trouble. He hit an iron smack to the centre of the green! Needless to say I shook hands and wished him well. Wow! what a mental game this is.

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"Play to your ability, not your expectation"

hi
me and my 3 freinds always play matchplay as one really bad hole dont spoil the round in matchplay, on monday last i was 2 down after 3 holes but i was 3 up after 11 holes, ended up all even on the 17 and i lost the 18th to par and i shot a 6. i think its a great way to play and makes for a close game and taking say a six or a seven on a hole can mean your still in there with a chance of winning. hope you have the matchplay bug like i have robert and hope the back held up ok and your on the mend, good to hear you had a close game too.
best of luck
bill

Hi Robert,

Well I love match play as you just have to focus on the hole in hand to win it. I also enjoy that the match can be over in ten holes or it could be a battle till the end just like your comp. I think the mental game of medal is by far the hardest to deal with as one bad hole can cause havoc to your match.
Cheers
Mark

Hi Rob,

Love the match play, infact, my best golf is in match play.

It's a hole at a time. Doesn't matter if you stuffed one up. Get to the next and start again.

Play your own game. Don't worry about your opponent. Expect the long putts to go in and the ferrets/chip ins. This will dampen the disappointment.

Apply yourself. Never get complacent!

Hi Robert, good to hear your on the mend, i played a interclub match only last night Lee, my playing partner and i winning 2&1, dose,nt the stomach turn when need to hole a 5footer to half or win a hole. Take care mate happy golfing.