| If you ever compete in match play events, you need | | | | had a difficult down hill putt, you?d play the shot |
| to know how to approach them in order to get good | | | | conservatively, so as to not slip ten feet past the |
| results. If you think match play is the same as stroke | | | | hole and cost yourself additional strokes. That?s what |
| play in golf, then read on because I?m going to tell | | | | most golf tips emphasize. In match play, where your |
| you what you need to do in order to succeed. | | | | opponent is and what his or her score is dictates |
| Match play pits one golfer (or one team) against | | | | putting strategy. |
| another. Unlike in stroke play, in which total score | | | | If your opponent is laying 3 and is five inches from |
| counts, the golfers compete for each hole. Whoever | | | | the whole, chances are he or she is going to sink the |
| shoots the lowest score on a hole wins the hole. If | | | | putt for a 4. If you?re laying 3, you need to sink the |
| the two golfers (or teams) finish with identical | | | | putt to tie your opponent for the hole, so you might |
| scores, the hole is ?halved.? Whoever wins the most | | | | as well be aggressive with it. |
| holes wins the match. If the players (or teams) finish | | | | On the other hand, if your opponent is laying 3 and is |
| with the same score, the match is halved. Match play | | | | twenty feet from the hole, you might as well play |
| does not usually affect your golf handicap. These are | | | | that downhill putt more conservatively, if you are |
| the basics. | | | | also laying 3. You don?t want to run the ball 10 feet |
| This head-to-head confrontation, as golf instruction | | | | past the hole. It could cost you an additional stroke |
| manuals tell you, radically changes how you play the | | | | or two and, quite possibly, the hole. Always know |
| game. Some golf tips urge you to be more | | | | where your opponent is on the green and what he |
| aggressive in match play than in stroke play. Other | | | | or she is shooting before deciding on your putting |
| golf tips urge you to play your normal game. What | | | | strategy. |
| determines how you play is where you stand on the | | | | Conceding putts is an issue in match play. You don?t |
| hole, where your opponent stands on the hole, and | | | | have to concede a putt, even if your opponent has |
| where the two of you stand in the match. | | | | conceded one to you. But most golfers do if it?s |
| Most golf instruction will tell you that match play is a | | | | short (within 2 feet) and it?s not going to cost you |
| balancing act. You?re always weighing the need to | | | | the hole. Some players will concede short putts right |
| put pressure on your opponent against the need to | | | | up until crunch time, then make his opponent putt |
| win the hole. The player who plays the best under | | | | everything out just to put some additional pressure |
| pressure, regardless of where his golf handicap is, | | | | on him. |
| usually wins the match. Handling the pressure is not | | | | It?s also good to know if your opponent is a good or |
| something golf lessons prepares you for. It?s | | | | bad putter. If he?s a poor putter, you might make |
| something you need to experience yourself. | | | | him putt everything out. Chances are your opponent |
| On the tee it?s more important than ever to hit the | | | | may 3 putt or even 4 putt on the hole, giving you |
| fairway with your drive. If you?re first off the tee, | | | | the hole if you 2 putt. |
| hitting a good drive increases the pressure on your | | | | And then there are going to be times when you |
| opponent to also hit a good drive. And vice versa. If | | | | need a ?hero shot? to win the hole or the match. If |
| you hit a bad drive, that takes the pressure off your | | | | the hole or the match is on the line and you have a |
| opponent. And vice versa. The object is to apply | | | | difficult shot, which you?d play conservatively in |
| pressure as much as possible during the match. | | | | stroke play, you want to be more aggressive. If you |
| On the fairway you need to be aware of where | | | | play the shot conservatively, as most golf instruction |
| your opponent is and what his or her score is on the | | | | dictates, you?ll probably lose the hole and/or the |
| hole at all times. Keep in mind those golf lessons that | | | | match anyway, so you might as well go for it in the |
| tell you to maintain focus. You can hit a bad shot on | | | | hopes of saving the hole or match. |
| the hole and still not lose the hole if your opponent | | | | The key in match play is knowing when to be |
| also hits a bad shot. In fact, you can shoot an 8 on a | | | | aggressive and when to be conservative. Match play |
| hole and win the hole, if your opponent shoots a 9. | | | | is not about lowering your golf handicap. It?s about |
| The key to winning a hole in match play is knowing | | | | winning holes. Where you stand on the hole, where |
| where your opponent stands on the hole and not | | | | your opponent stands on the hole, and where the |
| panicking if he or she hits a good shot. The next shot | | | | two of you stand in the match dictates strategy. Try |
| could be out of bounds. | | | | not to let the pressure get to you and try to |
| On the green, how aggressive you are on any putt | | | | increase the pressure on your opponent whenever |
| depends on where your opponent is, where you are, | | | | it?s prudent. And don?t panic if you fall behind early. |
| and where you stand on the hole. Normally, if you | | | | You can still win the match, if you don?t give up. |