April marks the beginning of golf for many players. It also marks the start of many golf leagues, which usually play match play. With this format, the player with the lowest score wins the hole and the person who wins the most holes wins the match. Match play requires a different mindset than stroke play.
Below are five golf tips on how to win at match play:
- Win holes early
- Attack every pin
- Sink more putts
- Grind out your scores
- Play the course
Win holes early: It’s easier winning holes at the start than the end. The more holes you win at the start, the more pressure you put on your opponent. Winning let’s you dictate the match.
Attack every pin: Think that your opponent is going to win every hole with a par or birdie. If you have a high handicap, it’ll be pars and bogies. But the mindset is the same. You need to at least tie the hole in match play.
Sink more putts: Good putters are tough to beat in match play. You can make up for a good drive. But you can’t make up for missing a putt.
Grind out your scores: Guys who grind out scores are tough to beat in match play. Put simply, you need to drain putts at the right time and make good shots at key moments.
Play the course: A lot of golfers think too much about what their opponent is doing rather than what they need to do to win. Sure, you need to know where your opponent stands on each hole. But focus on playing your game.
Match play requires a completely different mindset than stroke play. Follow our tips when playing your next match and you’ll prove a tough opponent to beat.
