Henno's club matchplay final

[henno]

I have somehow lucked my way into the matchplay final at Pacific with a string of good rounds. It's a 36-holer to be held in mid-April and I wouldn't mind a bit of (un)friendly advice from a few of the more seasoned golfers. Here's a few questions:

1. I have never played more than 18 holes in a day outside of drunken social rounds at resort courses in carts (read: the golf is secondary to the drinking). Never a comp/match/tourny type arrangement. Should I get a cart for the first 18, the second 18, the whole 36 holes, or not at all? (I usually carry, and tend to play better golf when doing so.)

2. I have had offers from a few people to caddy for me. I find it sort of odd to have a caddy considering my skill level, so should I turn them down? Or just say yes for someone to tag along for the day and provide moral and mental support?

3. If I am lucky enough to win, what am I obliged to give said caddy? (Is a feed an a healthy supply of beers enough?)

4. What's the best way to maintain energy and mental focus for 9+ hours of golf? I consider myself a reasonably fit lad, but I have never had to concentrate on the game of golf for that long, nor have I been forced to maintain some resemblance of a usable swing for 36 holes.

Help a newbie out.

henno.

[3oneday]

1) Can you play in cart in a match play final ? Play golf man. Pace yourself, you'll likely play in a twosome, you will hit the wall at some stage so make sure there is food available.
2) take a caddy, one that doesn't annoy you.
3) a handshake and a beer, or if it's your girlfriend, whatever she wants
4) concentrate when you have to, watch the birds (even the fat ugly ones) and talk to your caddy about everything BUT golf. Switch on wen it is your turn to play.

Congrats on making the final

[henno]

The only reason I know we can have carts in the final is that it was cancelled last week due to the rain. They still played golf, but no carts were allowed on the course and it was deemed unfair to the old buggers in the matchplay semis that can't walk 9-holes let alone 36. I thought that was fair enough.

[markTHEblake]

1. Should I get a cart for the first 18, the second 18, the whole 36 holes, or not at all? (I usually carry, and tend to play better golf when doing so.)

No Idea. however dont share the cart with your opponent. Also consider the tactical options that if your opponent is in a cart and you are not, if he appears the impatient type, then you can work that to your advantage because you have no obligation to walk as fast as he drives.

2. I have had offers from a few people to caddy for me. I find it sort of odd to have a caddy considering my skill level, so should I turn them down? Or just say yes for someone to tag along for the day and provide moral and mental support?

Caddies are great but one thing I always had a problem with is if the caddy is a better golfer than me (or about the same) it does intimidate me a bit as I am thinking of how embarrassing it is if i hit a poor shot. You may or may not think the same way, but seeings you never had a caddy before it might not be wise if you are a psychological basket case like me.

3. If I am lucky enough to win, what am I obliged to give said caddy? (Is a feed an a healthy supply of beers enough?)

They asked you - give them nothing. Lunch and as much to drink as you do.

4. What's the best way to maintain energy and mental focus for 9+ hours of golf? I consider myself a reasonably fit lad, but I have never had to concentrate on the game of golf for that long, nor have I been forced to maintain some resemblance of a usable swing for 36 holes.

Not my area - i use an electrolyte replacement drink for golf, but i reckon Razaar is your man for that question.

For mental focus, keep happy thoughts, get a good song in your head and sing it all day. And walk happy, none of this shoulder shrugging crap, chin up, chest out and swagger!

[henno]

Thanks for the tips, Blakey. I know my opponent will be in a cart for the entire 36 holes, he has already mentioned it to me. In a normal comp I usually "make haste" when walking to keep up with the cart drivers; I'll have to remember to walk at a steady pace and conserve energy.

Also, I'm a certified chopper so any caddy is generally going to be a better golfer than me. The people that have offered have seen henno at his horrible worst. I don't think there is much more to be embarrassed about. I just need a mental coach to talk me out of "hero shots" (or talk me into them when they're genuinely needed) and to keep me from throwing the game away should I find myself 5-down through 6 with another 30 holes to go.

[Courty]

I have somehow lucked my way into the matchplay final at Pacific with a string of good rounds.

You seem to have caught what Haysey had. A lack of self-belief! Stop selling yourself short and believe in your ability. The rest is mere details.

And on point 4, the pros all seem to carry protein snacks in the form of muesli bars and packets of nuts, and sometimes fruit. I would think that if there was anything better than that, they would be eating it already.

[Minor_Threat]

Ditch the caddy idea mate and just continue doing what has made you get this far. I find it strange you are allowed a cart in a club matchplay championship, so you need to weigh up whether a cart will be beneficial in terms of saving energy or detremental in terms of not giving the normal time between your shots to think / relax etc.

If you go for a caddy, you don't owe them shit, its Club Matchplay FFS.. Not Accenture World Matchplay!

In terms of stamina for 36 holes, keep drinking fluids (water is best), bananas, apples, sandwiches (Good Food - No heavy crap like pies, hotdogs, chips etc)

[henno]

Ditch the caddy idea mate and just continue doing what has made you get this far. I find it strange you are allowed a cart in a club matchplay championship, so you need to weigh up whether a cart will be beneficial in terms of saving energy or detremental in terms of not giving the normal time between your shots to think / relax etc.

I'd prefer to walk, but I don't want to be 27 holes in and just run out of puff entirely. Maybe I should just back myself to be able to walk it all. Borrowing a push buggy might be the happy medium.

[Grunt]

As a fellow hacker whilst playing C grade pennants I had a good mate as a caddy that knew my game pretty well he knew when to say something and when not too. He knew when to pull in the reigns when I was about to make a glory shot but also knew when to let me go when it was appropriate. Do you have a mate you play regularly with?

Most of all enjoy the day, if you made it this far you have done well.

Good luck with it mate.

[Courty]

You can get around the fatigue factor by winning 19/17.

[Minor_Threat]

You can get around the fatigue factor by winning 19/17.

Thats what I was going to say Courty.. You should have it wrapped up by 27!

[henno]

You can get around the fatigue factor by winning 19/17.

Thats what I was going to say Courty.. You should have it wrapped up by 27!

Good idea! I have been 6-up and 7-up through nine of both the quarters and the semis. I think my tactic of starting strong is working.

[Johnny Canuck]

I have somehow lucked my way into the matchplay final at Pacific with a string of good rounds. It's a 36-holer to be held in mid-April and I wouldn't mind a bit of (un)friendly advice from a few of the more seasoned golfers. Here's a few questions:

1. I have never played more than 18 holes in a day outside of drunken social rounds at resort courses in carts (read: the golf is secondary to the drinking). Never a comp/match/tourny type arrangement. Should I get a cart for the first 18, the second 18, the whole 36 holes, or not at all? (I usually carry, and tend to play better golf when doing so.)

2. I have had offers from a few people to caddy for me. I find it sort of odd to have a caddy considering my skill level, so should I turn them down? Or just say yes for someone to tag along for the day and provide moral and mental support?

3. If I am lucky enough to win, what am I obliged to give said caddy? (Is a feed an a healthy supply of beers enough?)

4. What's the best way to maintain energy and mental focus for 9+ hours of golf? I consider myself a reasonably fit lad, but I have never had to concentrate on the game of golf for that long, nor have I been forced to maintain some resemblance of a usable swing for 36 holes.

Help a newbie out.

henno.

1) Can you play in cart in a match play final ? Play golf man. Pace yourself, you'll likely play in a twosome, you will hit the wall at some stage so make sure there is food available.
2) take a caddy, one that doesn't annoy you.
3) a handshake and a beer, or if it's your girlfriend, whatever she wants
4) concentrate when you have to, watch the birds (even the fat ugly ones) and talk to your caddy about everything BUT golf. Switch on wen it is your turn to play.

Congrats on making the final

Exactly as 3 said.

1) I've walked in all my match plays, if you're comfortable doing that, do it.

2) Take the caddy. It makes a huge difference not having to worry about pushing/carrying/stuffing around with a bag. However, make it clear at the start that you only want advice WHEN YOU ASK FOR IT. Read all the greens yourself and trust yourself. Only ask for a read if unsure or you feel the need for confirmation.

3) I've always supplied my caddy with beer. He's a drunk, so it's easy.

4) I only concentrate when getting ready for the shot, working out yardage, etc. Stick to your normal pre-shot routine. Do not change this at all.

In between shots I chat with my caddy, my opponent (unless he is having a shocker hole/holes then I left him suffer in silence and beat himself up), the gallery (if they come out to watch).

Relax, play the shots you normally would and have fun. Don't let the fact that it is a final influence one single shot.

[Eag's]

All very good advice above henno, the only thing I would add is to treat this match just like the others, just because it is the final does not mean you should change your approach in any way.
In your case I would definitely opt for a caddy, just in case you have (what PeteyD likes to call) a custard head attack

[markTHEblake]

and to keep me from throwing the game away should I find myself 5-down through 6 with another 30 holes to go.

This is hard to explain correctly but i will give it my best shot.

Its taking me a long time to realise this, but it only caught on when i had a few consecutive matches against golfers that were too good for me, I went into these games knowing that it was quite unrealistic to expect to win, and even when i got 1, 2, or 3 up, I made sure that I didnt assume I was going to win, because i knew that such a margin was irrelevant against such formidable opponents. The result was that I won most of those matches, and also a few more recoveries after a losing a few holes at the start, by applying the same thought processes.

Some might misinterpret that as having a defeatist attitude, but thats not what I am saying all. Just realise that the moment you assume in a match that you will win or lose, you will lose. Do not assume the result until the handshake has been done, I speak from experience, because that is exactly what i did on several occasions, started practising me victory speech way too early. Lets see
5 up after 9, lost 5 in a row, but still won, got lucky cos he tanked.
5 up after 7 missed a gimme on 8 to go 6 up, then lose 8 holes in a row.
4 up after 9, 4 under off the bat, 3 footer on 10 for a birdie, lost 6 holes in a row.

And i watched a bloke win a match after being 5 down with 5 left. His opponent looked defeated even with two holes left. I bet my bottom dollar I know what the loser was thinking on the 14th tee.

Some people say to not focus on the score, but that is not quite right, you have to know what the score is, you just keep the score in the bank. Matchplay golf is not like some one sided cricket matches where the batting team just bats out the loss. While you are on the course you can still win or lose regardless of the margin, do not forget that.

[henno]

1) I've walked in all my match plays, if you're comfortable doing that, do it.

I have never walked 36 holes. I almost always walk 18 holes though so I guess my question is, is the second 18 much more difficult to walk than the first? If not, I'd rather stick with what I know. If the caddy is pushing my bag around it should be somewhat easier that carrying.

In your case I would definitely opt for a caddy, just in case you have (what PeteyD likes to call) a custard head attack

Exactly what I am trying to avoid. Like I said, if I'm 5 down through 6 I need someone to remind me that there's 7 hours of golf yet to come.

Do not assume the result until the handshake has been done, I speak from experience, because that is exactly what i did on several occasions, started practising me victory speech way too early... While you are on the course you can still win or lose regardless of the margin, do not forget that.

Thanks Blakey. The general consensus seems to be "play your own game the best you can no matter how far ahead or behind you are". I need to write that on my wrist or something.

[BrisVegas]

stick to walking henno. It's good for your rhythm. Don't worry about fitness. If an old fat **** like me can walk 36 holes, a skinny young runt like you can do it easy. Do what Minor Threat said and drink lots of water and eat plenty of healthy food.

Good luck.

[Johnny Canuck]

I have had no probs with 36 holes, except the time I thought it was a great idea to carry in 38* heat.

Stay hydrated and eat small things throughout the round, you'll be fine with the walk.

[Lucasto23]

Good luck henno, you can DO IT.

[lucky]

Congrats on making the final.

A tough ask for anyone to carry their bag for 36 holes. Take your pull buggy for sure, and grab a caddy if someone is offering, just for the fun of it and to have a chat to a mate along the way - even if they only help for a few holes it will keep you fresher and more relaxed.

Good luck.

[Eldrick]

congrats and good luck
remember He may be expecting you to lose more than he is trying to win it
if that makes sense

[rodders]

Congrat's Henno.

I know of a bloke called Stevie Williams who caddies- he's not doing anything at the moment and he could rough the other guy up for you at the same time.

He'a a kiwi as well so you can probably short change him as a bonus.

[NK]

Take Razaar as your caddie!!!!!!!!!! (No not joking)

Or if you want a dwinking session, get Fat Guts Clarke to drive the mobile esky!!!!

[markTHEblake]

I cant imagine why i didnt think of this before. Get Michelle to caddy for you, but ensure that she dresses appropriately. You dont want your opponent have his mind taken off his game all day.......

[jarro]

... or get SMS caddy for you and have him dress appropriately

Good luck Adrian