On The Tee with Hank Johnson

MATCH PLAY
It’s still you against you!

The objective in match play is the same as in stroke play. It’s to play YOUR game as well as you can. While there may be a specific opponent, the competition is still you against the golf course and yourself.

It’s usually not helpful to get too caught up in how you feel about your opponent. It’s a distraction that may get your emotions going and interfere with you ability to focus and make good decisions.

It’s important to play your own game. The great Bobby Jones, perhaps the best match play golfer of all time discovered that he was better off just trying to “ beat old man par “.

Don’t get emotional, it’s not personal. Emotion is the enemy of focus and leads to poor decision making and ultimately to poor play.

Getting the match started: 18 hole matches are a sprint. Getting off to a good start by winning a couple of early holes puts momentum on your side. If, however you find yourself behind in the match early, don’t panic. Just play your game and let the outcome take care of itself.

Expect your opponent to play well. Don’t make the mistake of waiting for them to lose. Especially on the green, expect them to make every put. That way you won’t have a “culture shock” when they actually do.

Expect to have to putt out every putt. If one is conceded by your opponent it will just be a pleasant surprise.

Keep momentum on your side. Put the accelerator all the way to the floor and don’t let it up until you opponent congratulates you for winning. Bobby Jones very seldom ever knew exactly how his matches stood. That’s not a bad plan for you.

Hank Johnson, PGA
September 8, 2008