Golf formats - Matchplay

Yesterday we had our challenge match between CGL and Halewood golf society, playing matchplay singles, with 44 players taking part.

I think it was the first time many from Halewood (and some from CGL) had played matchplay and enjoyed it so much, we have gone from a planned annual challenge to home and away matches each year, with us already looking for a venue for April's return match.

So, if you only play stableford, arrange a matchplay game, it makes a great change playing a different format, with the added pressure of team points rather than just worrying about your own score!

so find a team to take on, and get out on the course for some team bonding!

This year was the first time I've played singles matchplay and I've got to say that it's now my favourite format.  I always liked playing stableford because somehow it always seemed that you got more for your money, but now I play more that matters less.  I love the tactics of the format (both singles and doubles) and the way that it gives you the ability to pressure opponents which never happens in stableford.

Hope the N v S* is matchplay ONLY this year. 

* When we know where it is. 

NO matter what we are playing in, be it a medal, stableford or bogey. we always play a side comp matchplay, two against two for 1 penny a yard. You will be surprised how much this focus's the mind. My self and my partner Darren are unbeaten with this format and I might add also unbeaten in Greensomes (I get to play of his drives, which are mighty long). NO one will play us at Texas scramble either for the same bet.

Golfshake.com North vs South is 12th April 2010 some where near Redditch, info to follow shortly.

John whats this penny a yard? We always play £5 in for front, back, overall stableford. Long drive and near pin. It normally evens itself out between players. We also have a side pint on matchplay doubles. We also still do medal for our cards.

David. I think John pays a penny for every yard he drives on a particular hole he loses.  To date he's lost nearly £3!

It is really very simple, the first hole on the Waterloo is about 500 yards (I know I should know, but I don't know the length of any hole on my own course), so that equates to £5 for that hole alone. Whatever the yardage of the hole that is the sum being played for. So if you lose every hole on a 6500 yard course you are £65 out of pocket. That is what focus's the mind, I can assure you.

When I have a partner who can really launch it, like Darren can, then greensomes and scramble allows me to contribute with my expertise from the 150 yard marker. Our last two ball scramble score was 69 gross and the greensomes was 75 gross( Interesting that on the five tee shots of mine that we used we were 5 over par, yet only 1 over on his 13 tee shots), both scores neither of us can do on our own. Foursomes would be a bit different as he would have to play off nine of my tee shots, so I know we would not do as well as the other formats.