[Hulk01]

Is there any way to “train” for match play?  Honestly, the only standing between the team and a long run of titles is the format of the championship.  Given that we should pretty consistently dominate stroke play, I’m wondering whether we could do anything to improve how we do in match play.

BC

Not really.   There are a some well known principles for match play---when and where to give short putts, when not to---but you can learn them in an hour.  The issue with match play is sample size: it's only 18 holes.  The player who averages 75 per round can beat the one who averages 70.  And there's a second small sample: only five players per team.  So a 3-2 team win can easily turn into a 3-2 loss.

I remember when Stanfords'  Brandon Wu/ Isaiah Salinda men's team, 12th ranked in the country, won the 2009 NCAA.  I was happy, sort of.  I knew that was not the best team in the country,  Nor the second, third, or fourth.

[Hulk01]

Is there any way to “train” for match play?  Honestly, the only standing between the team and a long run of titles is the format of the championship.  Given that we should pretty consistently dominate stroke play, I’m wondering whether we could do anything to improve how we do in match play.

BC

Not really.   There are a some well known principles for match play---when and where to give short putts, when not to---but you can learn them in an hour.  The issue with match play is sample size: it's only 18 holes.  The player who averages 75 per round can beat the one who averages 70.  And there's a second small sample: only five players per team.  So a 3-2 team win can easily turn into a 3-2 loss.

I remember when Stanfords'  Brandon Wu/ Isaiah Salinda men's team, 12th ranked in the country, won the 2009 NCAA.  I was happy, sort of.  I knew that was not the best team in the country,  Nor the second, third, or fourth.