Watch Your Opponent

It should go without saying that you need to pay close attention to your opponent. Says GOLF Magazine Playing Editor Curtis Strange, "In match play I want to be fully aware of what my opponent is up to at all times, because it can influence whether I play a particular shot aggressively or cautiously." 

 

Beyond this you can learn things about the golf course, as Nicklaus did by watching his opponent's ball. On a par three, if your opponent hits first, you can judge your own club from the club he selects. (Although the Rules prohibit you from asking what club he hit, it's legal to take a peek in his bag and see which club is missing.) This assumes, of course, that you know your own strength relative to your opponent's -- what is a 5-iron for him could be a 6-iron or 4-iron for you. Around the green in particular it pays to watch how a ball runs, as you can often observe the effects of grain, slope, and moisture. 

 

If you aren't familiar with your opponent's strengths and weaknesses, by watching him closely you may learn something early in the match that could help you later on. Let's say he hits into a couple of greenside bunkers and plays poor recoveries, then later in the match he hits into another bunker while you're just outside him, facing a ticklish downhill chip. Armed with the knowledge that your opponent is shaky from the sand, you can play a conservative chip shot -- get the ball on the green and settle for a six-foot uphill putt for par rather than risk a delicate little flop shot that might stay in the fringe. 

 

The final reason for watching your opponent is to note any change in his mannerisms or pace of play. Sam Snead was one of the best at sizing up opponents. He says: "One of the best ways to judge when the pressure is getting to your opponent is by watching his routine. Everyone has a pace of play and a routine that he follows, but when the noose starts to tighten, he falls out of his pace and routine. Instead of taking two practice swings, he may take three. He may hesitate over club selection. If he smokes, he may chain-smoke to try to calm his nerves. When you sense this, it's time to pour it on and turn up the pressure."

Read more: http://www.golf.com/instruction/10-commandments-match-play#ixzz2lTlGBykm