Strategies to Beat Your Partner in Match-Play Golf

Instead of playing for lowest score, as in stroke play, consider the finesse of playing the oldest form of golf, namely match play, the next time you go out on the course for couples' night!

Stroke play is about how few strokes you have at the end of the round while match play is all about how many holes you win.

There is a strategy to winning both competitions but in match play, it's all about understanding both your partner's as well as your own position and making decisions based on his or her moves.

Settling the score will be so much fun when you don't have to rely on score and handicaps and instead plan a psychological attack which offers the golfer a chance to be rewarded for winning one hole at a time.

Here are a few ways to feel empowered during match-play and win in spite of the deficiencies you might have during stroke play.

KEEP EMOTIONS IN CHECK: Try not to feel negative if you lose a hole to your opponent. In stroke play, getting a snowman can really blow your round both on the scorecard and psychologically but in match play, losing one hole will not determine the final outcome. It is important to hold your emotions in check and put on your best poker face. No worries about blow-up holes will also allow you to recover more quickly which keeps you calmer and focused on the mission at hand...beating your spouse or partner!

GIVE GIMMES? There is no harm in giving 2-foot putts to your playing partner, now is there? Especially when/if he or she returns the favor. The fun part comes into play if you are down later on in the match and then, instead of giving that "gimme", you decide to have your partner make the shot. Doubt may creep into your mate's mind about whether or not he makes the shot and...hey, you never know what can happen.

SHOW CONFIDENCE: Consistency breeds confidence, something you need to outwardly show in match-play so make sure you practice your short game on the range, especially putting (see above note.)

IT'S NOT OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER: This quote on pga.com says it best...

"Always stay positive. This has got to be the Golden Rule when it comes to match play. You're not out of it until you run out of holes."

Now that you have a few golf tips on how to beat your partner in match play, suggest this format the next time you are out on the first tee!

What golf tips can you share about match play? Post them in the comments section of this golf blog and tag us with them on Twitter @Golf4Beginners!

Consistency from Tee to Green With These Simple Golf Tips and Drills

What good is a training aid if it sits in your garage and what is the use of learning proper setup or putting if you don't put it into regular practice? Proper practice will give you a consistent golf game.

Golf tips and drills are only as good when they are put into action - if you don't use it, as the old saying goes, you lose it. 

This week, Golf for Beginners offers up three golf tips and drills for driving, chipping and putting - a well-rounded practice for the range which should help you during your round. The simpler the golf tip or drill, the more likely you are to remember and to use it so let's get started.

Golf Drill for Driving

You hit a pop-up and your golf ball only flew about 100 yards off the tee...and it was straight up! You could see your mates shaking their heads and you knew your next shot wasn't getting you on in regulation. Your golf club came down too steep and you need to shallow out your swing.

Top 100 Teacher Cameron McCormick offers this simple driver golf drill (during practice) to shallow out your swing which uses a towel or golf grip placed directly behind the golf ball.

Golf Tips for Approach Shots

PGA Tour golfer Jim Furyk says he is not as long off the tee as the big bombers on Tour but what good is finding the fairway with your drive if you can't get that golf ball on the green with your second shot (on a par-4)?

Furyk's golf tips for approach shot accuracy include:

• Choose the right club, not just based on sprinkler head distance marker, but also based on conditions such as wind and how fast the green is or where trouble might be near the green. I was told by Hank Haney to always take more club than you need - club up if you feel that you may not make the distance.
• Avoid the bunkers and go long rather than short, if you aren't the best bunker player.
• Go for the center of the green - don't try to stick it close. Instead, get on in regulation and roll a solid putt.

Golf Drills for Putting

"Good putters are good aimers." says Dale Ketola, Director of Instruction at Grande Dunes Golf Performance Center. "You have to be able to read the line, have the correct speed and read the green."

Watch this short video for techniques/drills on making putts:



READ: Golf Tips to Improve Lag Putt Percentages

These golf tips were meant to inspire you and show you that, with a little bit of targeted practice, you can improve your game.

Offer up your best golf tips and drills in the comments section of this golf blog and follow Golf for Beginners on Twitter for more ways to improve your game!