Last fall, with an eye toward prepping for the 2014 Grandaddy ("just in case"), I decided to start playing some match play events. Fast forward to this spring and I'm playing in another match play event. I thought a thread dedicated to lessons learned and the experience of playing a different format might be helpful for guys who get picked to play in the 2015 GD. Perhaps others might like to chime in here with their experiences and advice. And at least for another month it can be a place where I update my progress in this event.
The format for all but one of these matches is straight handicap (e.g., 10 vs 5 gets 5 strokes), players get their opponent and have a month to complete an 18 hole match, the players agree on the course and tees to be played.
Match 1 / Fall, 2014 (giving @5 strokes)
QUICK RECAP: My first match play event ever and I was very nervous. I got behind early and didn't know how to handle it.
RESULT: Lost something like 3 and 2.
LESSONS(S) LEARNED:
1. Match play really is a different beast; there's no substitute for experience.
2. You have to find a way to overcome the nerves.
Unhappy with Match 1 results I found another match play event being hosted by a golf course (i.e., slightly different format and rules). My objective was to see if the first match was a fluke - could I show up, not be nervous and actually make a match out of it?
Match 2 / Fall, 2014 (getting @3 strokes)
QUICK RECAP: I played great through 12 holes, then could feel myself losing mental focus. I think I went to 13 something like up 4. I then proceeded to collapse like Jean van de Velde at The Open. Seriously. Freaking. Ugly.
RESULT: I lost my lead and lost the match on the 19th hole.
LESSONS(S) LEARNED:
1. Closing out a match doesn't just happen. It is a skill and you have to learn/know how to do it.
2. No matter what is happening on the course, don't be a d*ck (I was a gentleman and nice when I was way up, as well as when I collapsed. My opponent appreciated that and invited me for a round at his rather exlusive CC)
This match was devastating. I was incredibly frustrated and disappointed with myself and miserable. I stepped away from the format for a while. In time I was ready to try again and signed up for a 32 person event with the same organization that hosted Match 1.
Match 3 (round of 32) / Spring, 2015 (giving @3 strokes)
QUICK RECAP: I was extraordinarily focused and determined. I played great.
RESULT: I finally won a match, 4 and 3.
LESSONS(S) LEARNED:
1. Stay in the moment
2. Truly, one shot at a time
3. When up in the match and needing to close things out, see points 1 and 2.
Match 4 (round of 16) / Spring, 2015 (getting @4 strokes)
QUICK RECAP: I played very well. I recognized the opportunity to really put the hammer down on 15 and 16 and did so, going to 17 with my opponent dormie. I then very stupidly gave away 17. He made an incredible putt on 18 to send it to OT.
RESULT: I took the first extra hole to win the match.
LESSONS(S) LEARNED:
1. Don't give away any holes!!!
2. If you decide to hit a club/shot, 100% commit to it.
3. Other people feel pressure too. Hitting a succession of simply solid shots can affect them.
4. Expect the unexpected...and be mentally ready to bounce back from it quickly.
Match 5 (round of 8) / Spring, 2015 (giving 10 strokes)
QUICK RECAP: A rematch against the person from my very first match. Inexplicably, I felt really nervous before the match. I got behind early thanks to three separate horrible shots on 3 of the first 4 holes but hung in there mentally and made a nice comeback.
RESULT: I won the match 1 up.
LESSONS(S) LEARNED:
1. You don't always show up with your A game.
2. Hang tough and find a way to get the ball in the hole.
3. Sometimes it isn't pretty. That's okay. Stay calm. Just survive and advance.
Match 6 (The Final 4) / Sept 2015 (getting @9 strokes)
TBD...
IMHO the big take aways for the guys heading to the 2015 Grandaddy are to get some experience with different formats and learn to stay in the moment, hitting one shot at a time. Put another way, no matter what our opponent does and no matter what type of shot we decide to hit we want to hit a good shot. So just ignore whatever "noise" is going on in your mind and fully focus and commit to a mental approach of "let's just hit a solid shot here." Every single time.
The format for all but one of these matches is straight handicap (e.g., 10 vs 5 gets 5 strokes), players get their opponent and have a month to complete an 18 hole match, the players agree on the course and tees to be played.
Match 1 / Fall, 2014 (giving @5 strokes)
QUICK RECAP: My first match play event ever and I was very nervous. I got behind early and didn't know how to handle it.
RESULT: Lost something like 3 and 2.
LESSONS(S) LEARNED:
1. Match play really is a different beast; there's no substitute for experience.
2. You have to find a way to overcome the nerves.
Unhappy with Match 1 results I found another match play event being hosted by a golf course (i.e., slightly different format and rules). My objective was to see if the first match was a fluke - could I show up, not be nervous and actually make a match out of it?
Match 2 / Fall, 2014 (getting @3 strokes)
QUICK RECAP: I played great through 12 holes, then could feel myself losing mental focus. I think I went to 13 something like up 4. I then proceeded to collapse like Jean van de Velde at The Open. Seriously. Freaking. Ugly.
RESULT: I lost my lead and lost the match on the 19th hole.
LESSONS(S) LEARNED:
1. Closing out a match doesn't just happen. It is a skill and you have to learn/know how to do it.
2. No matter what is happening on the course, don't be a d*ck (I was a gentleman and nice when I was way up, as well as when I collapsed. My opponent appreciated that and invited me for a round at his rather exlusive CC)
This match was devastating. I was incredibly frustrated and disappointed with myself and miserable. I stepped away from the format for a while. In time I was ready to try again and signed up for a 32 person event with the same organization that hosted Match 1.
Match 3 (round of 32) / Spring, 2015 (giving @3 strokes)
QUICK RECAP: I was extraordinarily focused and determined. I played great.
RESULT: I finally won a match, 4 and 3.
LESSONS(S) LEARNED:
1. Stay in the moment
2. Truly, one shot at a time
3. When up in the match and needing to close things out, see points 1 and 2.
Match 4 (round of 16) / Spring, 2015 (getting @4 strokes)
QUICK RECAP: I played very well. I recognized the opportunity to really put the hammer down on 15 and 16 and did so, going to 17 with my opponent dormie. I then very stupidly gave away 17. He made an incredible putt on 18 to send it to OT.
RESULT: I took the first extra hole to win the match.
LESSONS(S) LEARNED:
1. Don't give away any holes!!!
2. If you decide to hit a club/shot, 100% commit to it.
3. Other people feel pressure too. Hitting a succession of simply solid shots can affect them.
4. Expect the unexpected...and be mentally ready to bounce back from it quickly.
Match 5 (round of 8) / Spring, 2015 (giving 10 strokes)
QUICK RECAP: A rematch against the person from my very first match. Inexplicably, I felt really nervous before the match. I got behind early thanks to three separate horrible shots on 3 of the first 4 holes but hung in there mentally and made a nice comeback.
RESULT: I won the match 1 up.
LESSONS(S) LEARNED:
1. You don't always show up with your A game.
2. Hang tough and find a way to get the ball in the hole.
3. Sometimes it isn't pretty. That's okay. Stay calm. Just survive and advance.
Match 6 (The Final 4) / Sept 2015 (getting @9 strokes)
TBD...
IMHO the big take aways for the guys heading to the 2015 Grandaddy are to get some experience with different formats and learn to stay in the moment, hitting one shot at a time. Put another way, no matter what our opponent does and no matter what type of shot we decide to hit we want to hit a good shot. So just ignore whatever "noise" is going on in your mind and fully focus and commit to a mental approach of "let's just hit a solid shot here." Every single time.
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