The Mental Side of Match Play
By Michael
Black and Jarrod Cash
Many of us might assume that there isn’t too much
debate about the characteristics of a good match player. Clearly, the
ability to play your game in the best or worst of conditions better or
worse can be useful, conversely we know that bad match players are
people easily put off their game or cannot perform when they need to
most. Therefore, if you want to win the better part of your matches you
simply need to play consistent. However, this idea strikes me as too
easy - too simple. If that is all there was to match play than your
local course would be overflowing with excellent match players. I must
confess, there is a great deal more in match play than there appears to
be.
I would propose that preparation for match play begins
the moment you step into the clubhouse. Many golfers have been known to
play their “best” game before they even step onto the green. Often,
good match players will try to get inside your head by making coy
suggestions about certain aspects of their game (or yours for that
matter). They may comment on certain aspects of the green, or lavish
praise upon you for a hole well played. In short, remember that golf is
a far more mental, than physical game, and be prepared for chance
remarks that might have greater implications than you might otherwise
expect.
I believe that many of the “chance remarks” made on
the first tee, or during the course of a match, have an important affect
upon the result. If you are a person who is prone to the comments or
suggestions of an opponent, you must try to let these chance remarks
pass through your mind like “water through a sieve.” Some people
might laugh at the suggestion that a person of strong willpower cannot
impose their desires upon a person of weaker. I even have a perfect
example of this concept in action.
In an important match, one of the players was sinking
his putts from all parts of the green. After some time, his opponent, in
calm and casual manner said, “You know, I just can’t make out how it
is you manage to sink so many putts with such a strong grip.” I can
only assume that this comment led the golfer to question whether or not
his grip was strong, because his short game suddenly broke down. On the
next putt he had to play he was thinking more of his grip than of the
putt - that simple remark put him completely off his game.
Broadly speaking, the play of an opponent affects most
golfers in two ways: the method of play, and the result of that method.
Furthermore, we must consider the temperament of an opponent, and his or
her attitude towards life in general. Since all types of people play
golf, the novice must expect to encounter: the talkative player, and his
opposite, the self-centered or introverted golfer. You must be mentally
prepared to face whatever comments, criticism, or flattery that an
opponent might give, and allow them to flow through you, unnoticed.
Undoubtedly, it will be of benefit to all of you to vary
your opponents as much as possible and to play frequently with
strangers. It calls for greater effort to play your best game under such
conditions, and vice versa, it can be detrimental to play with one or
two of your friends and to avoid other opponents. Many golfers get into
the habit of pairing always with a friend; someone whom they can play
against with very little mental effort. Remember, you are better off
playing against someone that you can never beat, than someone you can
always beat. Your mind is your greatest weapon - guard it well!
© 2005 BlackCash Enterprises, LLC – All Rights
Reserved
Jarrod Cash and Michael Black have created a
comprehensive collection entitled "The Lost Golf Secrets
Collection" available at: http://www.LostGolfSecrets.com
Lost Golf Secrets Discovered! To Learn The Forbidden
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