Attack or play %s ?

[Moquillo19]

Well another summer open has come and gone today and once again I have that sinking feeling (like so many others) of what could have been. In my mind I think I've forgotten how to play golf. This time last year I was merrily plotting my way round the course going 1,2,3,4 over. Now I can be 4 over on one hole (5 over on one today). I think this is due to a lack of attack in my game and trying to plot my way round. Two badly hit "shot to nothings" have cost me dear today. I won't bore you with details suffice to say I didn't take shots on that I would have had no doubts about playing in a matchplay or skins game.
Does having a card in your hand affect how golfers play in general? (I am on a bad run of point 1s.) Do you think golf is about birdieing everything or like poker and playing percentages waiting to have your day?
I still love the game but am interested to know how people outside my group/club approach a round.

 

[DappaDonDave]

I've started playing percentage golf and it's helped be go from 110 to 92 a round. Instead of power hooking a ball from 200yards I hit a nice 7 iron or hybrid and pitch on. Recently my 60 degree is on fire so it's been an easy up and down. Instead of a lost ball or a really bad lie and two fluffed shots...

 

[paddyc]

With a card in your hand I would say it is natural to play your way into a round, see how your swinging, not taking on high tariff shots. If you are striking it well and have the confidence to take a few attacking shots go for it.I feel I am an attacking player but I wouldn't take on shots to nothing in a comp that I would take on in a social game unless I was completely out of the running and had nothing to lose.
We are handicap golfers and are not going to birdie everything.I will take a par on every hole and tee off thinking just try and make par.

 

[Ian_S]

I think it's a case of sensible percentages. It's a heck of a lot easier to make bogey than birdie (let's assume we're talking about low handicappers here), so the way to low scoring is firstly, don't lose shots.

But, if you play every hole to make par then you'll never make the birdies you need to really get low. So really what you do is decide whether a birdie is a possibility. If it is, play your tee shot aggressive. Then decide, based on the result whether birdie is still on. If its not, then aim to get your par and move on to the next one.

 

[Dcross92]

I'd say play safe in a major comp at the weekend by just be sensible shot 68, however my playing partner off 7 went chasing birdies after a couple of bogeys and ended up NR'ing by chasing to hard it's definitely a fine line! Playing sensible is less fun and lets face it we all want to be tiger for a few shots at least!

 

[chrisd]

I know the feeling! I was striking the ball the best ever just after Easter and now it's all a struggle!

 

[Moquillo19]

Thanks chaps. I know it was.a silly question to start with. I just feel it's difficult to get over hitting a wedge out of bounds trying to lay up when there was a shot to the green. The tree 4 foot in front didn't help admittedly. Haha. I think I'll just wait my time. The good shots do outweigh the bad

 

[ScienceBoy]

Pick when to attack and when not to, sometimes a hole is a good bogey.

Golf is about getting the ball into the hole in the least number of shots, how you do that is up to you!

 

[Jack_bfc]

I make that decision hole by hole not round by round.

I suppose its different for us high HC.

I,m trying to break 90 at the moment and saturday evening, sitting on 83 strokes on the 18th tee, took 2 daft shots on and walked off with a 7:angry:

You live and learn...

 

[DappaDonDave]

I make that decision hole by hole not round by round.

I suppose its different for us high HC.

I,m trying to break 90 at the moment and saturday evening, sitting on 83 strokes on the 18th tee, took 2 daft shots on and walked off with a 7:angry:

You live and learn...

Hey jack, we play the same track. The 18th has a magnet hidden in the trees to he right, that's where mine always ends up! I was on 84 the other day and got an 8 on the last

 

[Jack_bfc]

I know.

That was off the yellows as well.
:angry:

Ive only scored once in a comp off the whites. I needed to really connect to even reach the fairway....

Stroke index 18 my arse... Thats the only thing that irritates me on the course.
I am really enjoying it otherwise.
Play every wednesday evening with a couple of mates and try and play a couple of comps a month..

Played Saturday, twighlight and we were virtually the only ones out there. It was perfect, apart from the 18th

 

[GeneralStore]

I think its important to separate the course management issues between the execution issues.

At your handicap it would be sensible to have a strategy for every hole and perhaps on a few of the easier holes have a more aggressive plan which you can decide on whether to go for during the round.

It seems from what you are saying that your wedge layup was you not executing, that's one for the practise ground.