It’s fun to play a match occasionally. However, if you approach match play the same way you do stroke play, it could cost you a win. Match play is different because of the pressure, the decision-making and the psychology. Try these strategies in your next match. They may be enough to make a difference.
Ease into the match
In match play, you contest one hole at a time. Don’t make the mistake of coming out too aggressively early in the match. Get the ball in play and get some confidence in your ability that day.
Your opponent may try to press too hard in the beginning before they are even warmed up and that can be costly. The slow start to match play is one of my favorite things about the format. You can have a bad hole early in the match and it likely won’t dictate the final result.
Play the mental game
In match play, your generosity in conceding putts can be a clever tactic. It’s up to you to find a level you are comfortable with but being slightly generous early in the match might lead your opponent to lower their guard.
If you concede some short putts initially, you limit their opportunities to build confidence in making those putts. As the match progresses, these short putts start feeling longer and that’s when you’ll force your opponent hole them.
Hold it together
Try to maintain your emotions throughout the entire match. Approach each hole as a fresh start. As Ben Hogan wisely stated, “Treat your birdies like your bogeys.” Not showing that a bad shot rattles you says a lot to your oppponent.
In the 2019 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Sergio Garcia played Matt Kuchar in the quarterfinals. On the par-3 seventh hole, Garcia missed a seven-foot putt for par.
He had a short tap-in for bogey. He was frustrated and it showed. Garcia attempted to tap in the putt but he missed. Kuchar didn’t even have the chance to concede because Garcia was acting impulsively out of frustration.
Whether Kuchar wanted to concede or not, he didn’t have the chance so the putt counted. Garcia lost the hole and, ultimately, the match. Maintaining composure is an important match-play strategy.
Your game play has to be fluid, not fixed
For most stroke-play rounds, you pick a strategy and stick to it throughout the round. You work with what you have that day. In match play, you’ll have to be more flexible.
Try to identify your opponent’s mistakes. Ignoring what the other player is doing can cost you opportunities to win holes. Keep it simple, don’t overanalyze and don’t take unnecessary risks.
Staying fluid with your game play allows you to play the course when you need to and play your opponent when opportunities come up.
Momentum is huge
One long putt or a clutch par save can change the match. If you are in the rough and your opponent thinks you are down and out, they often let their guard down. That’s your time to capitalize.
You can never assume a hole is lost. Expect that as hard as you are battling to win, your opponent is battling just as hard for a comeback. How many times have we seen this in formats like the Ryder Cup?
In the 1999 Ryder Cup, Justin Leonard was playing Jose Maria Olazabal. Olazabal was 4-up with seven holes to play. On the 12th hole, Leonard outplayed Olazabal and went on to win the next two holes, cutting the lead to one. Olazabal was rattled.
Leonard eventually secured a half-point from a match that looked like it couldn’t be won.
Final thoughts
The key to success in match play is understanding that it’s a much different game than stroke play. Mastering it requires time, learning to manage your nerves, playing the psychological game and adapting your strategy to the course and your opponent. Whether it’s stroke play or match play, one principle always holds true: Focus on one shot at a time.
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