| Stroke play is the most popular format in competitive | | | | Among the best places to apply pressure is on the |
| golf. It's used in all PGA Tournaments, except in | | | | tee. Hitting the fairway with your drive puts pressure |
| specific situations, like the Ryder Cup. The goal in | | | | on your opponent to do the same. If you hit a bad |
| stroke play is shooting the lowest score. In stroke play | | | | drive, you obviously take pressure off your opponent. |
| your focus is more on the course than your | | | | Since the goal is to apply as much pressure as |
| opponents. So it's hard to apply pressure on your | | | | possible, use whatever club you have the most |
| opponent in stroke play, even for players with low golf | | | | confidence in— 3-wood, driver, or hybrid—to get |
| handicaps. | | | | off the tee well. |
| Match play differs from stroke play. In match play | | | | On the fairway you can apply pressure to your |
| golfers compete directly against each other. Whoever | | | | opponent by hitting good approach shots, just as most |
| shoots the lowest score on a hole wins the hole. | | | | golf tips recommend. But keep in mind that you can hit |
| Whoever wins the most holes at the end, wins the | | | | a bad approach shot and still win the hole if your |
| match. If the players (or teams) finish with the same | | | | opponent also hits a bad shot. In fact, you can shoot |
| score, the match is halved. Match play is a simple, | | | | an 8 on a hole and win the hole, if your opponent |
| straightforward format. But unlike stroke play, | | | | shoots a 9. So don't fret on bad shots. Instead, stay |
| increasing pressure on your opponent is the secret to | | | | focused. The key is always being aware of where |
| winning in match play. | | | | your opponent is and what his or her score is on the |
| A Balancing Act | | | | hole. |
| Match play is a balancing act. You’re constantly | | | | On The Green |
| weighing the need to play aggressively, putting | | | | The green is also a great place to apply pressure to |
| pressure on your opponent, against the need to play | | | | your opponent. Knowing when to play aggressively |
| conservatively. The player who plays the best under | | | | and when to play conservatively is the key. For |
| pressure usually wins the hole and the match. Handling | | | | example, if your opponent is laying 3 and is five inches |
| pressure isn't something golf lessons prepare you for. | | | | from the whole, chances are good he or she will sink |
| It’s something you learn on your own. Thus, if | | | | the putt for a 4. If you’re laying 3, you need to sink |
| you've never played match play format, it takes | | | | the putt to tie your opponent for the hole, so you might |
| getting used to. | | | | as well be aggressive no matter where you are. The |
| Many golf leagues use match play format. It works | | | | last thing you want to do is leave yourself short. |
| well in this venue, but the format often differs slightly | | | | On the other hand, if your opponent is laying 3 and is |
| from league to league. In some leagues, golfers with | | | | 20 feet from the hole, you might as well putt |
| lower golf handicaps must give players with higher golf | | | | conservatively, if you are also laying 3. You don’t |
| handicaps strokes. Giving strokes evens off the | | | | want to run the ball 10 feet past the hole. It could cost |
| competition, which is what handicaps are intended to | | | | you an additional stroke or two and, quite possibly, the |
| do. It also adds pressure if you're giving strokes to | | | | hole. The secret is knowing where your opponent is |
| your opponent. It takes off pressure if you're receiving | | | | and what he or she is shooting. Knowing when to |
| strokes. | | | | concede a putt and when not to is also a great way |
| Match play dramatically changes how you play. While | | | | to increase pressure on a golfer. |
| some experts urge you to play normally, others | | | | Match play is fun and different. It’s about winning |
| suggest playing aggressively. Playing aggressively | | | | holes, not lowering your golf handicap. In match play, |
| enables you to apply pressure on your opponent and | | | | always know where you stand on the hole, where |
| can force him to make mistakes. What determines | | | | your opponent stands on the hole, and where the two |
| how aggressively you play usually comes down to | | | | of you stand in the match. And don’t panic if you |
| where you stand on the hole, where your opponent | | | | fall behind early. You can still win the match. Just stay |
| stands on the hole, and where the match stands. | | | | focused, like my golf tips suggest. |
| On The Tee | | | | |