The 2nd Cut Newsletter: Edition #66
Match Play is Great, First Tee Jitters, Ryder Cup Tickets, Glove and Tee Drills, NLU x Jon Sherman, Bryson x Phil Break 50, White Stakes vs Red Stakes
“You just got to refuse to lose, I think. It’s all in the head. It’s got nothing to do with golf.” — Geoff Ogilvy on Match Play
📰 EDITION #66 📰
Welcome back to The 2nd Cut Newsletter!
📫 In today’s Newsletter: Match Play is Great, First Tee Jitters, Ryder Cup Tickets, Glove and Tee Drills, NLU x Jon Sherman, Bryson x Phil Break 50, White Stakes vs Red Stakes
Match Play is Great
I’ve been playing in a match-play playoff for my golf league (shout out to Mitch), and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it and how different it is from regular stroke play.
I’d guess that most amateur golfers play straight stroke play 99% of the time.
Match play takes the competitive intensity to another level from shot to shot and hole to hole.
It also makes for better competition. Since you can only win one point per hole, you're never out of it. How often do you shoot an eight in stroke play and feel like the round is over two holes in?
Your buddy shanks one off the tee? Now I might play one safe down the right side. He sticks one to 10 feet? Now I have to try and get this one close! It’s much more reactionary (even if you try not to be).
So next time you’re out with a buddy, try Match Play. I think you’ll enjoy it.
*Side note: I wish the PGA had more match-play events. It requires a different mindset and is more like other sports, where players go head-to-head rather than just running a marathon.
**GHIN has an excellent match play calculator that keeps score and can adjust for handicaps
🐦 Tweets of the Week 🐦
I was excited about getting tickets for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage, especially since it's within driving distance. But after seeing the prices, I'll be watching it on TV.
$750 for tickets? I understand the high demand, but that's outrageous. Hopefully, they'll offer a more reasonably priced option.
The video above comes from golf coach Ryan Mouque. In it, he shows a simple training aid that anyone can use to help maintain your lead wrist in a flattened position.
All you need is a glove and a tee.
Do you get nervous on the first tee, especially for a tournament or around a group of people? I know I have, and Jon has some excellent advice for approaching this situation mentally.
Long story short.
It’s just one shot—1 of many.
Control what you can control.
Body, target, routine.
Sage advise, as usual, from Jon. Give it a watch.
📺 💻 T2C Media 📺 💻
More Jon Sherman here; this time, he’s caddying for Neil from No Laying Up.
Jon applies his mental game knowledge from The Four Foundations of Golf in real time on the course. He also addresses competitive tournament golf and ways to approach it (the subject of his newest book).
I’ve been waiting for content like this from Jon for some time. I’m a huge fan, but seeing his foundations applied in real life is the best way to absorb and use his methods.
This is a must-watch.
I’m not a huge Bryson fan, but I like his Break 50 series. This one might be the best yet.
Phil is vintage Phil in this. What I love about this is that you hear the thought process behind their decision-making and shot selection while realizing that despite them being major-winning pros, golf is still hard.
There are multiple putts from Phil and Bryson that they just can’t get to go in. It’s a reminder that the highlight reels we see on TV do not represent real golf, even for professionals.
This is a fun but informative watch.
📊 Poll of the Week 📊
This might be controversial, but I wouldn’t mind shifting many of the OB white stakes and making them red hazards instead.
Obviously, some areas need to be white stakes due to private property, etc., but otherwise, shifting to red stakes would increase the speed of play and enjoyment of the game.
Down in Florida, I’ve played a few heavily red-staked courses, and they seem to speed things up. Thoughts?
Thank You
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Til next time.
