Match Play Success

The key to match play success is understanding a couple of things. First of all, you should play the golf course. I know, everybody says that and yet it doesn't really happen most of the time. In match play, I think you always need to know what part of the course your competitor is playing from. If they happen to block out their tee shot into the trees, then maybe it's time to play a safer shot off the tee with a 3-wood instead of a driver.

Secondly, from an attitude standpoint, you always have to expect your competitor to do something that is very good. If you're always saying to yourself that this person is going to mess up here and there, it can really drag you down. When they make that 40 footer for a par, you're going to be devastated. You've got to be prepared and ready to play your own shots no matter what they do. The bottom line in match play is that you have to play to your own strengths -- not what your competitor is doing.

You can even watch the mannerisms of your competitor to sense how well they're feeling. If your competitor starts getting nervous it's almost a sure thing that their routine is going to change. That may mean they're on the verge of falling apart. They might even make less eye contact with you as they're becoming more nervous.

I remember playing in many match play situations, even back in high school, to where if I got off to a fairly stable start I thought that was very important and positive for me. It's like I was setting the tone for the match. But, if things go bad early and you get a few holes down, do not get frustrated because you still have time to come back. You can't get it all back on one hole, so don't press it. You've got to take it one shot at a time as well as one hole at a time.