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Five Match Play Strategies That Work

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Published: 08Nov2009
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Match play is a somewhat unique golf format. It requires a mental approach that's completely different from stroke play. It requires toughness, patience, experience, and competitiveness. And it requires paying close attention to what your opponent is doing. What's more, match play doesn't always favor the players with the best golf handicaps. It's quite easy for a golfer with a low golf handicap to lose to a player with a high one.

But match play is a highly popular format. Many golf leagues use it. Many tournaments do as well. So if you've never played this golf format, rest assured you probably will. Done right, match play is a lot of fun, especially if you're on a team. It also provides some variety from stroke play. And it gives you a different perspective on your game. Obviously, you have to approach it differently than you do stroke play.

Below we describe five popular match play strategies. They're time-tested strategies that work. Keep them in mind whenever you play match play.

Form A Game Plan

To win, you must form a game plan—and stick to it. This is a key golf tip on match play. Don't let your opponent dictate play. Take control of it early and try to keep it throughout the match. Size up your opponent and the golf course. Disregard golf handicaps when doing this because they don't mean much in match play. Then, decide how to play each hole based on your capabilities. In formulating your game plan, keep one thing in mind: pars win matches.

Apply Pressure Whenever You Can.

Among the keys to winning at match play is applying pressure. It can cause opponents to make mistakes or take bad swings. So apply pressure whenever you can. For example, if your opponent hits a good drive and you can afford to sacrifice a little distance, try to hit just short of him. That way you can apply pressure by hitting it close. This is an excellent strategy to employ on the closing holes. Making him/her press even a little bit in an effort to match your shots often results in a poor swings.

Control The Match's Tempo

Controlling tempo is another way to apply pressure to your opponent. If he/she is hyper and fidgety and likes to play quickly, take the opposite approach. Play at a moderate speed, especially if you make a mistake, like skulling one out of a greenside bunker when your opponent is on the green. Take your time raking the bunker and walking to your ball. It allows you to simmer down and it gives him some time to think about his putt. Controlling tempo isn't always easy. I know. I once had a student taking golf lessons that couldn't sit still. It was all I could do to slow myself down when playing with him. Just be careful that you don't unduly delay the game.

Control Your Opponent's Putting

Putting is just as important in match play as it is in stroke play, if not more important. Concede short putts early but not late in the match. Don't give your opponent the opportunity to practice any shot that might help him or her later on. This is an old golf tip that works. If your opponent isn't used to putting short ones, it will be that much harder for them at crunch time.

Know When To Gamble

Know when to gamble and when not to. If you're down 2 with 3 to play and your opponents plunks one a foot from the hole, it's obviously no time to lay up. The trick is to recognize those times when it's absolutely necessary to gamble, when gambling is worth the risk. As you play this format more, you'll learn when these times occur. Keep them in mind. It may help you in the future.

Match play isn't about you and the course in a quest for the lowest golf handicap you can achieve. It's a contest about you against the golf course AND an opponent. That added element makes match play challenging and fun.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book "How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros." He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

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