Tips for match play golf: simple tips to win it all

As anyone who’s seen the Ryder Cup or President’s Cup can tell you, match play golf is some of the most exciting and entertaining golf there is. This unusual format pits players in head to head matches to see who can win the most holes. Given that match play is not as common as stroke play, there’s certain things that players should know before they try it out. So whether you’re a new player or someone looking to get an edge, these tips for match play golf will have you playing like an expert.

Our top tips for match play golf

Take the match one hole at a time

In golf, it’s always important to focus on you current hole. Dwelling on past rounds or thinking about the score is a distraction that will take away from your focus. This is especially important in a match play tournament where each hole is it’s own “round”.

In stroke play competition, a very bad score on one of a few holes can put you at a severe disadvantage. What makes match play so much fun is that it only matters who wins the round, not by how much.

If you have bad results on a few holes, you can simply move on to the next hole knowing that one or two points can put you right back in the game. This makes is much easier to move past a poor showing on a previous round.

Conversely, if you’re ahead, its much easier for your opponent to launch a comeback. This makes it even more important to stay on guard every round.

Have a game plan and stick to it

High level golfers have a strategy to win every round they play. While it’s tempting to try and win a hole with an amazing shot, it’s usually a series of good plays that determines the outcome.

That means that every time you’re on the tee box, you should map out your game plan to win the hole. Tune out any distractions, and just focus on the best way to maximize your game for that round.

Also remember that while you want to be aggressive and to adjust to your opponent’s playstyle, you never want to push yourself too far outside your original plan or your comfort zone.

Remember that even the best players get nervous

Golf is first and foremost, a mental game. Match play takes this aspect and ratchets it up to an eleven. This is because in match play you go up against one opponent, and every hole counts.

Some players can find this to be very intimidating, especially if they’re going up against someone that’s clearly better than them. Many players will let their nerves get the best of them, so that they start making all kinds of bad plays.

It helps to remember that even the best players get nervous during big moments. Don’t believe me? Try watching video play of the some of the best players out there, then watch their interviews after. Many will admit to being nervous at the time.

If you’re going up against a good player, remember that they may be just as nervous as you are, especially if they’re “expected” to win. This expectation can put a lot of pressure on them, and remember they can’t automatically tell how nervous you are either!

Be aggressive with your stroke play

During stroke play, some players like to wait a few holes and “warm up ” their stroke before they start playing aggressively. In match play, this is the entirely wrong strategy to use.

In match play, you want to be aggressive with your strokes early to put your opponent under a lot of pressure. If you can get a nice lead during the first few holes, then this can put your opponent at a big disadvantage.

Remember, in match play you cannot coast early on. Losing by even 1 stroke on a couple of holes means that you lost every one of those holes. It’s impossible to play catch up with a “great” score on a single hole.

Be strategic

In match play, strategy on a given round becomes very important. While it’s always tempting to be a hero, remember that you play should always be dictated by the circumstances on a given hole.

You’re not aiming to get the lowest score possible, you only need to care about beating your opponent. If your opponent is behind or makes a mistake, then sometimes even hitting one or two over par will win outright.

Elevate your putting game

We’ve already discussed the importance of being aggressive early on, and this is especially important on the putting greens. The reason for this is that short putts have a no chance of going in. So every time you’re close to the hole, just go for it, even if you need to sink a 35 foot putt!

In golf, almost 40% of shots are hit from the green. That means that even shaving one shot off your putting game can result in many more points won. The difference between a one or two putt hole and a 3-putt hole is night and day.

Remember, match play is a race to be first to the hole every time. Make sure to put aggressively to give yourself a chance to win the round outright.

Know the golf course

Knowing the golf course better than your opponent is a great way to win a couple of easy points, and possibly even the match. Every course out there has hidden dangers or spots that can trip a player up. Knowing those spots can give you an easy edge over your opponent.

Maybe there is a sand trap that you should really avoid, maybe it’s especially problematic to slice the ball on a certain hole. Whatever it is, if your opponent lands in trouble while you avoid it, it makes it that much easier for you to win the point.

There’s a psychological edge that comes from playing golf on course that you know better than your opponent, where it almost feels like you’re on your home turf. While your opponent nervously scans the green looking for dangers, you’re already plotting your course for the win.

Look the part

It may seem like the appearance of your clothes and equipment should have no impact on your golf game. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

The fact is that many studies show dressing smart and using well kept equipment have a big impact on your overall play. Whether it’s all in your head or not, dressing for the occasion will have you ready to play your best.

Showing up with a disheveled appearance or equipment that’s in poor repair will put you at a disadvantage from the outset. Your opponent will feel that much more confident when he sees that you look like an amateur.

Instead, use your appearance to signal to yourself and your opponents that you’re ready to play a serious game.

Don’t rely on too many “tricks”

There are a lot of golf tips and tricks out there that discuss how to disrupt your opponent during match play. These golf tips say things like:

• Give you opponent putts early on, then stop giving them putts later when they’re under pressure
• Walk ahead of your opponent so that it feels like they’re behind you mentally
• Point out dangers on the course to make them play nervously
• Play opposite of their style. For example, if they play fast, play slow to throw off their rhythm

These tricks do more harm than good because they distract you from the most important thing, which is playing your best game. It’s much more useful to focus on playing well, and to develop a game plan for every hole that you’re on. This is especially true for high handicappers who need complete focus to do their best.

The best way to to put your opponent under pressure is to play a solid game. If you can make par every time, then your opponent will feel that they have to shoot under par just to beat you.

Be ready for anything

A lot of crazy things happen during match play. You might be ahead the whole time, feeling confident because you saw you opponent play a couple of bad rounds. Then, suddenly, your opponent hits a seemingly impossible shot putting him right back in the game.

This sort of thing happens all the time during match play. Big blowups on previous holes can be shrugged off if your opponent gets his game together.

That means that you should never assume that you have the game in the bag. Always remember that your opponent can come back, so that you’re never rattled when they make a big play. Just remember that it’s all part of the game and keep a cool head when you see something unexpected.

Play your opponents

In a match play tournament, always remember that you only have to beat one other player. Instead of worrying about what the entire field is doing, you can take the time to notice all of your opponents tendencies.

For example, do they get nervous when you play aggressively? Make sure to dial it up and see if they start making mistakes.

If you notice that your opponent tends to play certain areas conservatively, then don’t take tough shots that you may miss.

If you see that your opponent has made a big mistake on a hole, feel free to play a bit more conservatively. In that case, your opponent has given you the room to operate more comfortably, and playing a safe game should still win the hole.

Never give up, never give in

One thing that all the best golfers have in common is that they’re amazingly competitive. That means that they play to win even when they’re losing. Every good comeback starts with one player being behind.

In other words, it’s not over until it’s over.

A match play tournament is unique because it’s almost designed to encourage comebacks. Poor stroke play only impacts the outcome of the specific hole that you’re playing. Whether you lose by 1 or by 5 strokes on a hole, you’re only down by 1 on the scorecard.

Even being down by a couple of holes isn’t as bad as it seems. All it takes is for your opponent to have a couple of bad plays, and you’re right back in the game. You see it in tournaments like the Ryder cup all the time. So remember, play your hardest even when you only have a small chance of pulling off a comeback.

How match play works

Match play is a head to head matchup between your and one other players. Unlike stroke play, the goal of match play is to win the most number of holes. This is different than normal play where you goal is to simply get the lowest score.

In match play, each hole can be thought of as its own “round”. Therefore, winning a hole by 1 point is no different than winning the hole by 10 points. The only score that’s kept is the number of holes won. The player with the most holes won at the end of 9 or 18 holes is the winner.

Conclusion

Match play is a fun and exciting way to mix up your regular golf routine. The game’s structure makes for fun and unpredictable results. It really rewards both aggressiveness and mental toughness. By using the tips outlined in this article, you can go on the offense and start winning more match play games.

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