MATCH PLAY TIPS
by Dr. Jeff Dense
-IN THE SPIRIT OF CAMARADERIE, TAKE YOUR OPPONENT OUT DRINKING THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR MATCH. GENTLEMEN’S CLUBS ARE THE PREFERRED VENUE, AS THEY WILL STRAIN YOUR OPPONENTS VISION MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO READ THE GRAIN ON PUTTS.
-EXPECT THE WORST POSSIBLE CONDITIONS AND PREPARE ACCORDINGLY. POPPY RIDGE IS, TO PUT IT MILDLY, A WIND TUNNEL. BRING YOUR WINDCHEATER.
-STAY IN THE PRESENT. IN EFFECT, YOU ARE PLAYING 18 1-HOLE MATCHES.
-GETTING HUNG UP ON WHETHER YOU RECEIVE STROKES ON CERTAIN HOLES IS SELF-DESTRUCTIVE. A GOOD PUTTER IS A MATCH FOR ANYONE.
-UP AND DOWN FOR PAR FROM DIFFICULT SPOTS CAN DEMORALIZE YOUR OPPONENT.
-SEVE-STYLE GAMESMANSHIP (COUGHING ON OPPONENT’S BACKSWING, F.E.) HAS NO PLACE IN THE CBI.
-FIRST ON THE GREEN AND FIRST IN THE HOLE IS ALWAYS THE PREFERRED POSITION.
-KNOW THE RULES OF MATCH PLAY, WHICH DIFFER GREATLY FROM TRADITIONAL STROKE PLAY. THE RULES ARE INTENDED TO PROTECT, NOT PUNISH, ALL PLAYERS.
-HAVE FUN; THIS ISN’T WORK, AFTER ALL!!!