MichaelStroke:
In match play, I'm pretty open on who or what I play. I really have two sticklers - I only play 45 second timers (to prevent cheaters and turtles), and I won't play BoP5 against anyone other than legends. I just think the advantage is just way, WAY too big for them.
Anyone have any course stipulations on what they'll match? No Merion or no Olympic or anything else?
I have a few, I never play 30 seconds, never know when I'm going to click forward view and watch timer click away, so sometimes I might bail on 45 seconds as well and I always aim with forward view, check golfer view and adjust in forward view, so there could be a few back and forth.
I never set up my own game and always join unless someone bailed and left me sitting there.
I prefer to play legends, but I have a good knowledge of what is available in the pro shop now and in the past at what level it came available at, so i will play a lower tier of a lower level, but depends on course and whether their advantage will be all wedge approaches or iron approaches. Not all irons are built the same or have very good precision and any advantage can quickly be evaporated.
I might shy away from lvl 93 and above if their driver will give them an advantage over me, depends on course and timer though.
But my immediate and most important decision is based on timer and how much time I'm given to aim depending on the course and my knowledge of the elevations of the approach shots.
I look at it this way, the person set up the game for their favorite course, they already have all the knowledge immediately and do not need to wait for the load to get additional information, that's a huge up to and including a gigantic advantage on a short timer. If the timer is 60 or 90, I will pretty much play anyone on any course, but similar level and lower tier as all is fair and the better playing player will likely win, not the 1 with the biggest advantage.I will point out most shots are automatic and have gone off well within 30 seconds, but I'm mindful of the occasional need for a longer time may be required.
So if you see me running, it's most likely 1. the timer, followed by 2. similar level lower teir or 3. the bet was to high.
My favorite bet amounts are 222 and 333. Lower is getting close to breaking even on ball use, higher might be accepted if I have determined I have an equipment advantage.
By the way, your choice of timer is not preventing cheaters, that's a myth created solely in the minds of a few delusional and/or IMHO cheating individuals looking for any advantage they can garner. Anyone slowing the meter is also slowing the timer, hence your choice of timer is strictly interpreted to provide you with an advantage over your opponent. Some suckers will fall hook line and sinker for this fabricated reason for a short timer, but be aware, lot's know the true reason for the short timer and finally provides the cheaters with a huge advantage again, ie I have 30 seconds they are slowing it to give them 45 or more. That's a total sucker play imho.
So lots to chew on, but it works for me.