At the best of times during individual competition, golf is a sport that wreaks havoc between a player’s ears. At least, persistent thoughts of doubt and trepidation often swirl around a golfer’s head over the course of 18 holes; only those who are able to conquer their ceaseless inner voice of uncertainty are able to achieve their goals.
When the format changes from stroke play to match play, however, this aforementioned psychological examination becomes even more arduous.
The unforgiving cauldron of the Ryder Cup
The best example of this unique format that requires players to go head-to-head can be found in the Ryder Cup where 24 players from Europe and the United States go toe-to-toe for three days. In 2023, the 44th edition of this event will be played in Italy and the latest odds for Ryder Cup price the Europeans as the marginal favourites at evens while the US are at 11/10.
These odds may raise a few eyebrows among golf fans who will be aware that the US have the stronger team on paper. As briefly touched on, though, golf is not won on paper but rather in the mind.
To that end, Europe hold a significant psychological advantage as the US haven’t been able to beat them on home soil since 1993. Overcoming the weight of history has so far proved to be a seemingly impossible task for the richly talented US players.
Essentially, this is why a fairly modest European team in terms of ability are being tipped to overpower their star-studded adversaries and win the Ryder Cup. In a nutshell, this is why the Ryder Cup requires such an astonishing amount of mental fortitude as the better players are often beaten by those who thrive under the harsh glare of match play.
So, how exactly does match play expose a player’s psychological weaknesses more than any other format?
One-on-one
During every other week on tour, players are competing against the field and not necessarily someone in the same pairing as them. Not having this added pressure allows them to focus on their own game and not get drawn into fixating on what their playing partner does. Conversely, players can see the whites of their opponents’ eyes in match play as they directly compete against each other over 18 holes.
This straight shootout in such close proximity can often disrupt a player’s rhythm and cause them to play the competitor and not the course. Any player who gets caught up on trying to solely beat their opponent instead of playing the layout in question will see their chances of winning plummet.
Gamesmanship
Getting inside your opponent’s head can be the quickest path to victory in match play. While golf is renowned for its firm adherence to sportsmanship, match play can bring out a player’s ruthless side where the desire to win occasionally overrides expected on-course etiquette.
For example, a player who typically plays quickly may find their opponent deliberately slowing down the match in a bid to provoke a reaction. Additionally, if a player expects a short putt to be conceded, their opponent might ask them to sink it as a way of unsettling them.
Mind over matter
To overcome these unique challenges that match play presents, players have to show a level of psychological resilience that is not asked of them in individual competition. Without this strength of mind, the unforgiving test of matchplay is likely to overwhelm any player.
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