Matchplay guidance

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123511558#Comment_123511558

You can add what you want 👍

VW 1

As someone who hasn't played much matchplay at all - I can never understand the concept of gimmes. It would be far better if the ball had to hit the cup. That said, if a putt is within a foot to 18 inches, more often than not I'm giving the putt to the opponent.

Is there a specific reason for the gimme, or just an old tradition/part of the matchplay rules?

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123511658#Comment_123511658

It has always been part of the game. In the 1969 Ryder Cup Jack Nicklaus conceded a three foot putt on the final hole to Tony Jacklin to leave both teams tied.

finglashoop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123511442#Comment_123511442

If you want to beat me in interclub, you'll be putting it out.

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123511788#Comment_123511788

yea but he wouldn't have conceded the putt if it was to win. it was already a Ryder cup which had been a bit nasty so it was a nice way to calm everyone down. but yes, no way if that putt was to win the Ryder cup was he going to give it.

Seve OB

have to agree with some here here

a 1 foot putt on the front 9 is always given and mostly on the back 9

but getting down the the nitty gritty and when a match is in the balance, i've seen them missed enough times to know that they could be the difference in winning and loosing.

I played a match recently and made a fella hold out from about 18 inches on the 17th for a half. he was already 1 up and it was a cross hill putt with break… he made it, but at that point in a match, it had to be seen. especially as he never shut up the whole way around and was in my ear constantly as I was trying to take shots.

bobster453

No way if i am still in a hole am i giving anyone a gimme for a hole win..ever..no matter how short it is..ever.

One short putt missed can wreck heads, change mindset

Aim is to win..be nice with it..but win.

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123511916#Comment_123511916

I would expect to be asked to sink that 18 inch putt. It’s the no gimmes approach I have an issue with. Asking your opponent to tap in a putt he’s never going to miss doesn’t give you some kind of psychological advantage. It’s Poundshop Patrick Reed nonsense.

prawnsambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512201#Comment_123512201

Except nobody has suggested no gimmes.

Trampas

So basically some here wouldn’t concede any putt for a win. Even from a few inches.

What about a person with 2 putts for a win. How far do you concede the hole?

prawnsambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512246#Comment_123512246

Who are these "some here"? All I've seen is non-concession of potential hole or match-winning putts. And even those are not blanket.

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512229#Comment_123512229

That’s nonsense. Are you telling me you would ask someone to sink a putt from less than a foot?

In your own words “Yep”

prawnsambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512359#Comment_123512359

Maybe read the post before that which you questioned with your "That's nonsense…" post.

Let me know how you get on.

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512366#Comment_123512366

The one that says give nothing when you’re still in the hole? That one?

prawnsambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512373#Comment_123512373

That's not what it says. Try again. Or not. Seems like you're not one to concede a gimme when it comes to your ego.

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512378#Comment_123512378

Give tiddler putts when you are out of the hole, give nothing when you are still in the hole.

Be straight with your shots even if it means a club less, approach shots matter and being short gives you a chance to be on the green first.

Bogeys, even double bogeys can and will win holes so get it back in play after a stray shot.Its never over til its over.

Enjoy it, the purest form of golf and great craic.

That’s the quote. “Give nothing when you’re still in the hole “.
Judgey, pompous and ego so far. Anything else you want to call me when you’re at it?

prawnsambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512398#Comment_123512398

It's not. You can use the quote button you know.

But clearly you won't admit your mistake which was obvious to me when I read your needlessly hostile reply. At this point I have no intention of continuing a debate with a clearly dishonest individual.

Good bye. Say hello to my ignore list.

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512404#Comment_123512404

Dishonest too 🤣. Coming from someone who asks people to hole out from less than a foot I’m not sure you can claim the high moral ground.

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123512246#Comment_123512246

It’s an astonishing argument. I know if someone in our club behaved like that when representing the club they would be pulled aside very quickly and told it wasn’t acceptable.

The Guru 123

Have played loads of matchplay at all sorts of levels over the years so interesting to hear people’s opinions.

Firstly I’ve never followed the logic of being more generous giving putts for halves than for wins. If I think there’s any chance at all of them missing the putt then I won’t give it.

Which brings me on to my next point about gimmes. I never get precious about them, I see people above losing their minds over them. My attitude would always be if the putt is that easy then I don’t mind at all tapping it in and if it’s not then why would they give it in the first place?

From my own experience I know I perform better when I try to focus on my own game and ignore what my opponent is doing. I’ve tended to make mistakes over the years if my opponent has made a mistake and then I try to play too safely. So I’ll keep an eye on what he’s doing but I typically won’t try to change my strategy too much. Unless obviously it’s something like I was planning on taking on a riskier shot but he has suddenly gone OB or something.

Shank Williams

don’t get the “it’s the purest form of golf” line- maybe 2 scratch lads or 2 honest golfers

But unfortunately in Irish club golf it’s anything but a lot of the time- inter club is a joke in particular

MojoMaker

Matchplay is far from the purest form of golf.

Seve OB

purest form of golf is strokeplay

Ottoman_1000

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123519840#Comment_123519840

I came here to second this. Stroke play is the only right answer. Match play is far far away from the purest form of golf! Most of the inter club comps are littered with the worst from of handicap abusers…

And if you have 14in or left to win a hole against me, you're putting it. And I'd except the same on me, god knows I've missed my fair share from that range over the years!

Russman

Ahh its very hard to say exactly how putts are given or not in a match IMO. So much of it is basically "it depends" - for me, its on everything from the lie of the land, the speed of the greens, the atmosphere in the match, where in the round we are etc.

That said, I'm probably fairly generous with gimmes but, again, it depends. 18 inches or so to win a hole and they'll probably be putting it, to win the match and they'll definitely be putting it, but honestly once it gets down to extremely short distances of say 12 inches or so, then no, I wouldn't ask anyone to putt that tbh. I wouldn't expect to be given it either though at the same time. Depending on how much of a cnut the guy might have been, I might line up the 12 incher from both sides and maybe give it a bit of aimpoint just for a laugh.

I do think there's way too much stock put in to the so called psychology of matchplay though. Maybe I'm just too dumb for any of it to affect me, but I always think its some sort of a crutch for an inferior player to convince themselves they're getting one over on a better player when in reality its nothing, purely IMO of course.

Trampas

What’s next I’ll help you look for your ball but doesn’t mean I’ll find it 😉

Dtoffee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123520221#Comment_123520221

Especially if you are helpfully looking in the wrong place 🤣 and beleve me that is a tactic I have seen in action.

As for gimme's, I would always watch my opponents putting style to get an idea how strong they are. Front nine gimmies are OK, but once past half way in a tight game ….. the gimmies disappear. Always remember someone with the yips can roll in putts from all over except when its inside two feet… you wont know till you ask them to putt out.

Another matchplay grind is the over helpful opponent….. complimenting you and offering unwarranted advice as he wrecks your concentration. Learn to spot and ignore the sharks, their running commentary about the wind, cold, greens, injuries etc etc is a classic distraction tactic.

Learn how to dominate your opponent and force errors, if you have the chance to get on the green first always take it as it applies pressure on your opponent.

Matchplay golf is so different from stroke play, treat it as 18 single matches. Forget the hole you just played and its a fresh start at the next tee…. this is most important if you just lost the hole, whats done is done.

Its a learning curve and true matchplay brings out some of your best golf shots under pressure… learn to stay in focus and enjoy it.