quick coaching

Four Makings of a Winning Match Play Mentality

By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on

Lexi Thompson of Team United States talks with Assistant Captain Michelle Wie West during a practice round ahead of the start of The Solheim Cup at Inverness Club on September 01, 2021 in Toledo, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

With this week’s Solheim Cup and the 43rd Ryder Cup being played in just three weeks' time, we will once again get to see and enjoy the game’s premier Match Play competitions. These types of events don’t happen often in Professional golf.
With Match Play being less of the norm today, as opposed to stroke play, the question that comes up is how do you prepare for, or play in Match Play format events? Is there a strategy or game plan one should have? 
Tips for Match Play
Try to Start Hot…
In stroke play, you can pretty much ride the ups and downs of a round and still find yourself near the top at the end of the day. Not to mention, you typically have one, two or even three additional rounds to look forward to after day one. In Match Play, you could find yourself in trouble fast after losing the first couple holes. Because of this, your mentality in general should be a little more aggressive. Try to get out of the gate hot so you can either keep the pace with an opponent that’s playing well, or so you can get a jump on them early. 
“In match play, it’s important to take the lead and be the one who sets the pace so you don’t have to react to what your opponent is doing,” ~ Jon Rahm
Aggressive in General, But…
I mentioned in my first tip to be aggressive in general when playing in Match Play, and I stand by that…however, in some instances, where an opponent may be in trouble, you could be a little more conservative. Let’s say an opponent hits it OB off the tee, you could take that opportunity to think middle of the fairway, fat of the green, two putts and out..and just be a little less aggressive overall for that hole.
Every Hole is a New Hole…
Every hole is literally a new hole. We should really have that mindset every time when we tee it up, match, stroke or any other form of play…but in Match Play, you can really live by this. What was; was, and the next hole is a new opportunity.
It’s Not Stroke Play…Don’t Care What You Shoot…
Nobody is adding them up at the end of the round…all that matters is if you win the hole against your opponent or not. That’s why a more aggressive and sometimes “Go for Broke” mindset is appropriate for this format. 
“I don’t care what I shoot…I’m just trying to beat you.” ~ Kevin Kisner, the 2019 WGC-Match Play champion and the 2018 runner-up.
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

[Brendon Elliott, PGA](https://brendonelliott.com/), is an award-winning PGA Professional, player-development coach and nationally recognized golf writer with three decades of experience in the golf industry. As of 2026, he has been a PGA Professional for 17 years and has earned more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors for his work in coaching, education and player development. In 2017, he received the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. ## Coaching Competitive Teenage Golfers Through [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home), Brendon specializes in working with competitive teenage golfers who want to improve their performance, better understand their games and prepare for the demands of high school, junior tournament and college golf. His primary focus is [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching), which allows him to remain actively involved in a player’s development regardless of location. Rather than relying on occasional lessons or isolated swing fixes, Brendon works with players throughout their competitive journey. His coaching covers much more than the golf swing. Players receive ongoing guidance in structured practice, short-game development, putting, course management, tournament preparation, performance analysis, goal setting and the mental and physical habits required to improve over time. Using video analysis, virtual coaching sessions, performance data and regular communication, Brendon helps each player understand what to work on, why it matters and how to make meaningful progress between practices and tournaments. Brendon accepts only a limited number of in-person students in Central Florida. His priority is building long-term [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching) relationships with competitive teenage golfers and their families. The goal is not simply to help a young player hit better shots. It is to help that player become more prepared, more accountable and more capable of navigating everything competitive golf demands. Brendon’s career has included serving as a head golf professional, general manager, college golf educator, career development director, academy owner and longtime junior golf leader. He founded Little Linksters Golf Academy in 2008 and led the organization for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home). ## Golf Writing and Media Brendon is also a nationally recognized and prolific golf writer and storyteller. He is the Senior Golf Writer for [Athlon Sports](https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott) and has written extensively about professional golf, instruction, player development, equipment, golf history and the people shaping the game. His work has also appeared with PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine, MyGolfSpy and several other prominent golf media outlets. Through [One More Roll Golf Media](https://onemorerollgolf.com/), Brendon provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and media services throughout the golf industry. His background as a coach and educator shapes the way he writes, while his work as a writer strengthens the way he coaches. He understands how to explain complicated ideas clearly, ask better questions and connect the technical, strategic and personal sides of golf.