In honor of this weeks WGC Accenture Match Play championships I thought I would talk about how to play this scoring format.  It’s a much different format then stroke play and requires more thinking.  If  you are unclear on how match play works then check out this page which will explain match play scoring.

Rather then stroke play we have to adjust our minds into thinking it’s us versus our opponent.  Normally we play against the golf course but the course is simply the stage for this format.

I’ll start off by saying that who ever hits first has a distinct advantage, just as long as they can hit the shot in play or close to the pin.  Off the tee it is imperative that you hit your shot in play and that you don’t give your opponent the hole because you’ve sprayed one in the bushes or water.  Now that your tee shot is in play, your opponent must equal that shot.

Moving onto the fairway and approach shots into greens.  Much like on the tee it’s a huge advantage to play approach shots first because once again you can put the pressure on with a well played shot.  The thing to watch out for is pin locations because you don’t want to get greedy and give holes away by playing risky.  If a pin is placed in a spot over a bunker or close to a water hazard then be sure to play conservative and hit a shot to the other side of the green.

If you happen to play second off the tee orwhen hitting approach shots, let your opponents shot dictate your play.  If they happen to hit a good shot then you must equal or better that.  If they’re a bad putter and hit a shot to 15 feet, don’t get to aggressive and try to match that because chances are they will miss that putt and you don’t want to hit a bad shot because you were to aggressive.  If they’re a good putter then you HAVE to be aggressive.  Lets say now that they hit a bad shot.  This is where you must play safe and do your best to ensure a lower score and a win on the hole.  Nothing spectacular is needed just be safe and win that hole!

Now onto the green and this is where match play heats up!  You always want to assume that your opponent will make their putt.  I know, I know, early I said that if they’re a bad putter don’t worry too much about them making the putt.  That was in reference to how you should play a shot into a green and not how to think on the green.  Lets say that you have a 20 foot putt for a 3 and your opponent has a 10 foot putt for 3 on a par 3.  You want to be somewhat aggressive on your putt and try to make because you must assume they will make their putt but don’t leave yourself anything over 3 feet.  Let’s reserve positions here now.  Say your opponent makes that 20 footer and now you have to make your 10 footer to halve the hole.  If you didn’t think they were going to make that putt then you would be somewhat rattled over your putt which is a not a good thing.  By changing your mindset to thinking they will make that putt, it forces your mind into thinking that you will have to make that putt which is positive thinking and something I talk a lot about on the golf course.

I hope this post on golf match play strategy was informative and will begin to win your bets (whatever they are for) off your opponents! 

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