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**Ian Hancock** · 07-21-2008, 07:13 AM

Re: matchplay tactics

Hi Slats,

With a shot a hole mate, you need to play very steady, bogey will do you on most holes especially the opening few, even toward the end safety first, that means he has to make par to half the hole every time.

Say A 3 h/capper probably on average has 2/3 birdies per round and if he plays?? to 3 he must have DOUBLE that amount in bogeys 4/6, because he won't have many if any doubles.
So if you bogey every single hole on the course you should win 4/6 holes and loose 2/3, and if you can make 2/3/4 pars yourself you should win easy. Only problem is which holes he birdies and how many doubles you have, hence play conservative doesn't matter if you have extra shots to reach the green as long as you two putt.

Good Luck

P.S. I hate playing guys like you giving 18 shots.........el bandedo.

Ian.

**Neil18** · 07-21-2008, 10:48 AM

Re: matchplay tactics

I agree with the above.

As a lowish 'capper myself there's nothing more comforting than having to give 15+ shots away in matchplay only to see your opponent chuck strokes away for absolutely no reason.

Low 'cappers don't have a good enough birdie/bogey ratio to beat you if you play to your handicap.

**bill reed** · 07-21-2008, 10:58 AM

Re: matchplay tactics

hi
Ian makes a really good point that you can play your game and not worry about the 3 handicapper.
play the course and play using your strokes. you have 5 shots on a par 4 so you don't need to take risks you can play it as a par 5 and the pressure is on your opponent. with the par 3 you have a chance to be on the green for no shots and you have a real advantage there. the par 5 you can play it easy to get there in 3 or so close you have only a pitch to get close to the hole.
i find that a lot of holes in matchplay are won to par and with you getting a shot at each hole you can put a lot on pressure on you opponent to make him force his shots to try and make birdie.
best of luck
cheers
bill

**ogallalabob** · 07-21-2008, 02:25 PM

Re: matchplay tactics

Play to your strengths wether it is driver, irons wedges. But if you stay out of trouble and play nice and steady is probably the way to go unless your strength is the driver and distance then you might as well stick with an agressive approach.

But if you make sure you are on the green no worse then 1 +reg 2 putt for your boogey your going to be very tough to beat.

**GolfJunkieSr** · 07-21-2008, 04:59 PM

Re: matchplay tactics

If you are getting a shot a hole, then all the pressure is on the 3 hndcp at the start of the match. No need to take any off of him. You just need to play your normal game, and don't play into any trouble. High percentage shots are what you are looking for in your game against this player. All that being said you still need to pay attention to how the 3 hndcp is playing. If he is, or during the round starts playing below par,which 3 hndcprs are very capable of, you might need to adjust your game, and take a few high percentage (for you) chances that are not part of your normal play. You should not try any shot you have not practiced unless you absolutely have to. Playing adjustments are part of every round.

After the round is complete, win or lose, you need to sit down and go over your round, shot by shot. You should make note of all the good shots you made, and more importantly, the not so good shots that did not go your way. While going over all those shots, think about what your mental state was during both the good, and poor shots. Understanding the mental part of the game makes any player a tougher apponent, regardless of handicap. GJS

**LowPost42** · 07-21-2008, 05:19 PM

Re: matchplay tactics

Just remember that you're par +1 on EVERY HOLE. IOW, even if you find the trees or the gorse, you can chip out sideways and still put pressure on.

The +3 should have to make birdies to beat you. Perhaps you should play every hole trying to lay back to the 150 from the tee. This leaves a full swing with a short iron into every green. By applying that to my own game (I'm a 21 index) I don't see triple digit scores much anymore. Anything longer than 170 and I'm trying to lay up to about 120 and make a bogey. I've really been focused on 'taking big numbers off the card' - whether it means laying up 20 yards short of a water hazard, taking 3 shots on a par 4, or taking 3 shots on a readily 'home in two' par 5. I've made nothing worse than 6 on a 480 yard par 5 playing 5 iron, 5 iron, 8 iron down the fairway.

**Scragger63** · 07-21-2008, 10:28 PM

Re: matchplay tactics

"Attitude" Pedro, it'll all be in your attitude...

One thing I try to remember as we go in life is the following...

Whether you think you can or you can't, you are always right...

My meaning here is don't go into the match mentally already beaten, you will lose.

The outlook mentioned previously by all is quite simple, a shot a hole is a massive ask for any low marker. In my experience, handicap matches with big cap differences are "generally" won by the high capper.

Your job on the day is to play well enough to make the 3 capper shoot 3 under to beat you.

Remember you are a capable golfer.

Any par you make should be enough at worst to halve any hole.

Don't get too far ahead.

Play each hole a stroke at a time.

Consistent golf, 2-3 under your cap should see you win.

Good luck Slats.

Cheers

**slater170** · 07-21-2008, 10:51 PM

Re: matchplay tactics

Originally posted by Scragger63 View Post

"Attitude" Pedro, it'll all be in your attitude...

One thing I try to remember as we go in life is the following...

Whether you think you can or you can't, you are always right...

My meaning here is don't go into the match mentally already beaten, you will lose.

The outlook mentioned previously by all is quite simple, a shot a hole is a massive ask for any low marker. In my experience, handicap matches with big cap differences are "generally" won by the high capper.

Your job on the day is to play well enough to make the 3 capper shoot 3 under to beat you.

Remember you are a capable golfer.

Any par you make should be enough at worst to halve any hole.

Don't get too far ahead.

Play each hole a stroke at a time.

Consistent golf, 2-3 under your cap should see you win.

Good luck Slats.

Cheers

cheers craig and the other guys for your advice

you are right about attitude

if im disciplined enough to concentrate over every shot and not rush then i know i have a very good chance of winning

ive got a game plan and im going to stick to it

**Bully306** · 07-22-2008, 09:01 AM

Re: matchplay tactics

Go for level 5's mate. Every green on for 3 and 2 putts. Some of course, like the par 3's, you'll be there in less than 3 hopefully!

In fact I'll have £20 on you to stuff him

*As an aside where's that course in your Avatar?? it looks like one we played near Torremolinos, golfing "Lauro" or something, smashing course.

**BrianW** · 07-22-2008, 09:42 AM

Re: matchplay tactics

One shot at a time Slats, One shot at a time

**slater170** · 07-22-2008, 12:04 PM

Re: matchplay tactics

Originally posted by Bully306 View Post

Go for level 5's mate. Every green on for 3 and 2 putts. Some of course, like the par 3's, you'll be there in less than 3 hopefully!

In fact I'll have £20 on you to stuff him

*As an aside where's that course in your Avatar?? it looks like one we played near Torremolinos, golfing "Lauro" or something, smashing course.

Thanks bully for your optimism

thepic was took at parador nr malaga airport

**Bully306** · 07-22-2008, 12:21 PM

Re: matchplay tactics

Originally posted by slater170 View Post

Thanks bully for your optimism

thepic was took at parador nr malaga airport

I think that was the other one we played! Is that the one where somewhere on the back nine the Planes seems to be about to land on top of you on the fairway?? My mate was on the top of his backswing when one of these suddenly but on the reverse thrusters........SHANK!!!!!!

If you go back, check out "Lauro", its about 30 mins away out in the hills and orchards and vineyards(don't let the cabbies con you!! 30/35 euro's max) Really worth it.

Level 5's mate Level 5's...........................................

**slater170** · 07-22-2008, 12:32 PM

Re: matchplay tactics

Originally posted by Bully306 View Post

I think that was the other one we played! Is that the one where somewhere on the back nine the Planes seems to be about to land on top of you on the fairway?? My mate was on the top of his backswing when one of these suddenly but on the reverse thrusters........SHANK!!!!!!

If you go back, check out "Lauro", its about 30 mins away out in the hills and orchards and vineyards(don't let the cabbies con you!! 30/35 euro's max) Really worth it.

Level 5's mate Level 5's...........................................

thats the one bully

malaga airport to the left and nudist beach to the right

i will be having a few recce rounds to set my game plan and then stick to it

just found out GPS units are now allowed in comps so thats in my favour as well

**Bully306** · 07-22-2008, 01:08 PM

Re: matchplay tactics

Good luck lad, let us know which hole the 3 'cap joker walks off in a huff on

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