Feb
22
2008

Do You Prefer Match Play?

Posted by Double Eagle in Golf Philosophy

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I know I do.

The WGC Accenture Match Play Championship really reminds me of that fact. Of course, I enjoy playing and watching all forms of golf. But there’s something about that one-on-one competition that really gets me going.

Playing a stroke play tournament provides a definite set of mental and physical challenges, but in the end, you just need to go out there and put up the best score you can. The rest is out of your hands.

Playing against someone in match play adds a whole new dimension. It’s not about going out and shooting a score. It’s about playing the individual.

Getting out-driven by 40 yards by a fellow competitor in stroke play doesn’t carry the same weight as it does in a match, where that hole is on the line. Same thing for stuffing a wedge close.

Gamesmanship can become a bigger part of a match than it can during a stroke play event. That one-on-one situation just leaves so many openings for mental manipulation of your opponent. I love it!

Don’t get me wrong - if you can’t get the ball in the hole, you can’t win in any format. In match play, however, a strong mental game can help a player beat an opponent that may have a superior physical game.

The big thing I like about the Accenture Match Play Championship is that it’s a “win or go home” format. There’s no chance of having a letdown in the first or second round and still having a chance to win on the weekend. If you lose, you’re out.

Next time you’re out on the course with an opponent, consider playing a match. It’s a lot of fun and a nice change of pace if you’ve been playing stoke play for a long time.

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There are currently 11 responses to “Do You Prefer Match Play?”

  1. 1

    Gary Potter said:

    I also prefer match play unfortunately we’re not going to see much more. It’s not TV coverage friendly and doesn’t support the tours business model to make buckets of $$$$ for every tournament televised.

    Posted on February 23rd, 2008 at 12:10 pm

  2. 2

    Double Eagle said:

    I agree, Gary. It’s not as TV- or business-friendly. Even if I can’t get my match play fix as a fan, I still love it as a player.

    Posted on February 23rd, 2008 at 12:55 pm

  3. 3

    Greg B. said:

    The thing I’ve been thinking about during this tournament is that every player knows that their next opponent has defeated as many opponents as themselves and that fact alone makes each successive match more intense.

    In golf everyone has good days, great days, not so great days, etc. It seems it could to come down to who can maintain a high level of play the longest.

    Posted on February 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 pm

  4. 4

    Double Eagle said:

    That’s true, Greg. Tomorrow, Woods and Cink will have each won 4 in a row. That means they didn’t have a random let down. I have to think that the pressure is going to be tremendous. I like Stewart Cink a lot, but I’m afraid that he’s stepping into the fire with someone who actually enjoys the pressure and who maintains a high level of play for really long stretches.

    Posted on February 23rd, 2008 at 9:37 pm

  5. 5

    TP Golf Online said:

    I like competing in both but I personally prefer match play. Funny that you can actually have a higher score and still win. One bad hole does not mean you are out of the competition since your aggregate score does apply in match play.

    If time was not a factor I would like to see a stroke play tourament where players have to qualify through match play. The reverse for quailifying for the US Amateur, Ryder/Presidents Cup. It would be interesting to see the results and also a different twist.

    Posted on February 25th, 2008 at 3:02 pm

  6. 6

    Double Eagle said:

    That would certainly be an interesting tournament format, TP. I’d even like to see the US Amateur format used more. It’s not as TV-friendly, but I think it’s a neat way to conduct the tournament.

    Posted on February 25th, 2008 at 3:08 pm

  7. 7

    The Armchair Golfer said:

    Good ratings or not, I really enjoy watching the match play.

    Posted on February 25th, 2008 at 6:07 pm

  8. 8

    Double Eagle said:

    I have to agree, Armchair. I thought Sunday’s double match was great to watch. It’s a shame that Cink wasn’t really in it anymore after the first 18, but it was still a lot of fun.

    The TV broadcasts need to get a little creative in figuring out how to deal with the delays between shots when it gets down to a single match (the consolation match wasn’t doing anything for me). Tons of commercial breaks weren’t making me happy. Not sure how they could fill the time better, but I’m sure some innovative producer will figure something out.

    Posted on February 25th, 2008 at 6:37 pm

  9. 9

    Goods said:

    I’ve always thought that the WGC’s Match Play, or some sort of Match Play event should be considered as a 5th major.

    Every hole’s a battle and there’s nuances to match play that you just can’t get in your avg. stroke play tournament (ie: gimme putts, hole concessions, etc…).

    Posted on February 26th, 2008 at 4:47 pm

  10. 10

    Double Eagle said:

    Having a match play major would be fun, Goods. Even if it’s not a 5th event, maybe they could work match play into one of the existing events to kind of work it like the US Amateur.

    Posted on February 26th, 2008 at 4:52 pm

  11. 11

    Andy Brown said:

    I believe match Play is definitely a more television friendly format. Two players go head to head against each other and at the end of the round one goes home and the other moves ahead. The only worry for organizers is that in match play it is quite possible that some of the top draws for the tournament “the paid invitees” if you may face the serious possibility of going back very early in the tournament. In a normal stroke play event there is quite a likelihood that most of the star players sail through the weekend but that is not the case with match play. I was going through Brent Kelly’s blog where he seriously debates the issue of conducting one of the Masters as a match play event ! After all at one point of time the PGA championship was held as match play.

    My only grouse with these professionals while they play the match play they end up being too civil. You are taught all your life that there is no such thing as a ‘gimme’ putt then why is it that these guys just give so many of those 3-4 foot putts to the opponent. A sports field is no place to dish out niceties to your opponent.

    Play hard every inch of the way; get the crowd to root for an individual. Let there be some noise. Let there be excitement!

    Posted on April 27th, 2008 at 11:54 pm

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