Match play questions...

[Headgames]

Advice and tips appreciated too!!

So I entered myself into my clubs match play championship series, which has gone well so far (won my first match 6&5), but as I start to face some tougher opponents, I have a few questions. Mostly I’m curious about when to concede a putt and some etiquette.

When to concede? – My instinct here is that I’ll give anything inside the leather, but I’m going to make my opponents putt pretty much anything outside 2 feet. I realize this may put me in the position of having to hit more short putts myself, but I’m confident enough in my short game to do this. What standards does everyone else use? Do you concede longer putts earlier in the match, then make them putt them later? Stay consistent with your concessions all match?

Etiquette – This was mostly related to my first match. During that round I confirmed my opponents score after each hole and announced where the match was at. Nothing wrong on it’s face, but especially when I started to pull away, I started to feel like a bit of a D-bag. It felt almost as if these announcements were rubbing it in, which was NOT my intention. How do you guys handle it? Just shrug it off as a matter of fact announcement? Is there another way to handle this?

I really love match play so far, as I find it a great test of skill against another golfer, but I realize I’m not playing for money so I just want to have fun. That said, I am very competitive, and don’t want to give away matches. What do you guys do to balance things out between being competitive and having fun?

Any other tips or suggestion are welcome!!

[teaz01]

Hi,
If I'm giving a putt it is because I'm out of the hole or my opponent could make it with their eyes closed. If there is any break or pressure, I will not concede. I can make the shorties and don't mind to be tested. The most compelling is when my opponent gives me a two footer but I make them putt out on the same hole. I know that they are internally asking themselves a few questions even if they make.
There is nothing wrong in confirming the hole scores and match totals after each hole. If you are pulling away, I think you can omit the match score until the point where you go dormie.
Ultimately, your playing to win. Do whatever it takes to maintain your comfort zone. You seem outgoing and personable so if you get the cold shoulder know that it is not about you but rather them. My favorite competitions were played with friends as caddies or me caddieing for them. I didn't have to relate necessarily with my opponent but rather on my terms. If they wanted to join in, we welcomed them. Congratulations on a nice shot and commiserating on bad one is a part of sportsmanship and by your op I already know your are.
Good luck, T.

[Sawgrass]

A (non-critical) point to consider when thinking of giving a putt is that if you don't give a short one, and you're not in yet yourself and at a distance, your opponent has to mark or risk being called for playing out of turn.

Failing to give such a putt can really slow things down, pretty much for no good reason.

[Andy_Mac]

I like to start off conceding 3-4 footers at the beginning of the match and get my opponent used to not putting them. Later in the match when there is more pressure on those ill drop it down to making them putt anything outside of a foot. A 3 footer to stay even after 1 hole is a hell of a lot easier than a 3 footer to stay 1 down through 16... especially if you havent had to make one all day.

[Blues Golfer]

I give anything under 12 inches unless it's the final 2 holes. Once I know I've probably won a hole, I give it. I never announce the score...usually every few holes my opponent will say "I have us at all square" or whatever, just to be sure we are in agreement. I don't object to that.

I'll ask him what he had on the hole if I lost count. I never volunteer what I scored on a hole, if he asks I tell him.

I never give anything over 2 feet BUT I'm quick to give putts when I've secured the hole with a simple two putt. I figure if I 3 jack an easy two putt, I don't deserve it anyway.

Only once have I done "good-good" because I didn't want either of us to lose on a two foot breaking putt on the 18th hole.

I always assume that he knows what I scored, and where the match stands, without comment. If he wants to confirm what I had, fine by me.

I don't talk much when I play, and I talk even less in a match.