Different regulations apply in various game formats

      In one of my previous articles, I explained the options available to a player when faced with a lateral water hazard and a water hazard.
      Today, I would like to discuss some of the differences in rules and procedures as they apply to either match or medal play formats.
      First, let's define two of the formats according to the USGA Rules of Golf. In match play, the game is played by holes. In stroke or medal play, the player who plays the stipulated round in the fewest strokes is declared the winner.
      If there is a rule violation during a match play event, the general penalty is loss of hole except when otherwise provided. In a medal or stroke play event, the general penalty is two strokes.
      You are probably more familiar with medal or stroke play events. The Las Vegas Invitational, for example, was a stroke play event with the eventual winner, Jim Furyk, winning with a score of 24 under par.
      In a stroke play event, most players are competing simultaneously against all other players in the field.
      A match play event, on the other hand, is usually comprised of two players competing against each other. The winner of that match would advance to the next bracket and play another match against another player. To determine a winner by match play often requires the competitors to play anywhere from four to six matches.
      Match play is often more exciting to watch than stroke play. With the exception of the Mark O'Meara trouncing of Vijay Singh 11 and 10 (meaning he was 11 holes up with 10 holes to go) in the recent World Match Play Championship, most match play events are close contests. I think it may be that match play is like 18 mini-events.
      Each hole counts and if you make a 10 on one hole and your opponent makes a 4, rather than being six down, you are only one down and can make it up on the very next hole.
      Another difference between match and stroke play is in putting. For example, if player A has a 10-foot putt and player B has a six-foot putt in stroke play, the farthest player away from the hole (player A), would be first to play.
      If player A hits his putt and it stops three feet away from the cup, he has an option of finishing or marking the ball. In match play, the ball that is farthest from the hole always has the honor of playing first, so player B would have his shot before player A could finish the three-footer.
      Practicing on the course is the third main area that differs between the type of event being played. In a match play event, practice on the course is allowed before a round. But in a stroke play event, a competitor is prohibited from practicing on the course or testing the surface of any putting green on the course before a round or playoff.
      TIP -- I have many students that have beautiful swings when they are hitting short iron shots, but when they try to hit a 3-iron or long iron, their swings change and their tempos speed up.
      When hitting a short iron, we don't expect to hit them a great distance so our tempo and rhythm is smooth and controlled.
      But when we need to hit that 3-iron over a bunker or water hazard, the swing suddenly loses its rhythm and becomes a fast, chopping motion. The next time you need to hit a long iron, or have a chance to hit a few shots on the range, think of the tempo and rhythm you used to hit your wedge and try to repeat that tempo with the long iron.
     
     Jon Spatz is the head golf professional at Desert Willow Golf Course at Sun City MacDonald Ranch. He can be reached at Jon Spatz, c/o Desert Willow Golf Course, Sun City MacDonald Ranch, 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Henderson, NV, 89012, at spatzjo@delwebb.com or by calling 263-GOLF.