The odd couple a winner

By Neville Idour

My wife and I played as a pair in a recent three-round club member event that was an absolute winner in every way. 

I have certainly not experienced such a format before. Dubbed as The Odd Couple it invited members to find a partner, male or female to join the fun.

It was not only a hoot to play but threw up unexpected results. First, and foremost, it yet again highlighted what a wonderful game golf is with its inclusivity and variety as well as the superb handicap system that allows players of all abilities to compete together on an even playing field.

A weekend event, we played two rounds on Saturday and one on Sunday. The field was a mixture of pairings, male pairings and male/female pairings. Handicaps ranged from single figures to 30 and more. The three formats were ambrose, foursomes and fourball.

The first round was ambrose with a minimum of six tee shots required from each player. The other rule was that whovever’s tee shot was chosen, the other played the second shot and this order was followed until the ball was in the hole. 

I felt we would have little chance of success as neither of us hit tee shots further than 160 metres whereas many in the field hit well over 200 metres. As it happened we were more than competitive. It became obvious that having one of your shots in a playable position was key. Shorter and accurate was better than two long wayward shots. My wife’s excellent short game was vital.

Unlike the usual four-person ambrose team with few limits, you could not stack a twosome team as such, so tactical decisions on  what shot to play were a key element. What was surprising was that this format took the longest time. Nevertheless it was hugely enjoyable.

After a lunch break the second round was foursomes and again I felt we would be off the pace against the big hitters. 

This format, the most difficult, can put the player under pressure to not put their partner in the stook. Keeping a sense of humour to the fore is a plus. The key in foursomes, we found, was to choose tee shot holes as best as possible because they are alternate. In this case at The Hills it was clear to us that my wife needed to play from the odd numbers and I play the evens. Some of the odd numbers such as all four par five holes gave her a significantly shorter hole.

Communicating on what shot to play for the benefit of your partner was crucial. Getting our tactics, if not always the shots right, we remained competitive.

So to the final round, the fourball where the best nett on the holes from each player is scored. Arguably this gives rise to the most tactical opportunities and decisions. There will be holes where the shorter hitter should go first and if they can hit a good one it may allow the other player a little more freedom to let it rip. Then there will be holes where the more accurate player should go first.

As for second shots again possibly the lesser player (if there is one) might go first as a good shot may allow the other player to attack the pin. Then on the putting green there are several scenarios. The better putter may go second if each player has a similar line, irrespective of distance. This will give the second player a good read.

All in all, from my personal perspective, this event was a huge success and all the others who played, who I am aware of, agreed with that sentiment and we all are looking forward to another such event later in the year. 

It was an eye-opener to see that some players who may have been more favoured to do well struggled so the format certainly provides a level playing field for all. What more can we ask for in competition.

This is an event any club in the country should consider and it has four possibilities. Men only, women only, mixed only or, as we played, free for all. It was a great learning experience for us, and that can only be good for one's golf.