Does stroke index dictate way you play hole

[Lord Tyrion]

Not deliberately. However, I quite often score better on the longer holes than the shorter ones. I get on the tee of a long par 4, for instance, and mentally tell myself that 5 is a good score and pretty much play the hole as a de facto par 5. Its surprising how often that leads to a 4. On the other hand, I stand on the tee of a short hole and mentally tell myself I should be parring this hole and then proceed to mess it up!

I'm clearly in a minority here but I do try to follow the above theory and that also follows regarding SI. If I'm on a SI 1 hole then I add a shot to the par and try to play to that. It takes some of the pressure of what is likely to be a tough hole. It stops me fighting the hole. If I play it well it is a bonus, if I mess up I don't beat myself up about it because it is a tough SI. Most people I play with also are aware of the SI so I am surprised at most of the posts.

 

[Junior]

I don't even know what the SIs are around my place. My (lack of) ability dictates how I play each hole 

Exactly this. I tee off with the aim of getting it in the hole in as few shots as possible, by the end of the hole, i'm usually trying to rescue a par or bogey

 

[lukeysafc100]

I've come to conclusion that a lot of times stroke indexes mean nothing!
I have a plan for my course - what clubs I take where etc but sometimes this is adjustable to the conditions.

The best way to analyse a golf course - go on howdidido.com and look at your statistics - see which holes you play better than others and create your own game plan.

 

[duncan mackie]

The course designer, conditions and how I'm feeling/playing dictate how I approach each hole/shot.

Stroke index merely translates these into a score when the round is over.

That said i know where i stand, and there's no doubt that putting for a point (or a half in matchplay) is significantly easier than putting for a win or birdie etc but my conscious thoughts will be the same when approaching either.

 

[Dasit]

SI comes into play for me

In stableford, if I don't get a shot on a hole and I hit a bad tee shot, I am forced to play much more aggressive as I will probably get no points if I play safe.

In match play, if my opponent gets a shot on me and hits a peach, I now have to change tactics, maybe put the 3 wood away and take driver over the trouble.

 

[Imurg]

On the tee I'm looking for a par or better on every hole
After the tee shot that may change and knowing I have a shot (in Stableford) may dictate my next shot. I may go for a more tricky shot knowing that if it doesn't come off I can still probably score on the hole with a chip and a putt.
In Medal it's largely irrelevant.

 

[Fyldewhite]

On the tee I'm looking for a par or better on every hole
After the tee shot that may change and knowing I have a shot (in Stableford) may dictate my next shot. I may go for a more tricky shot knowing that if it doesn't come off I can still probably score on the hole with a chip and a putt.
In Medal it's largely irrelevant.

Agree. It's basically only Stablefords where I pay any attention at all. I do tend to play shot holes more conservatively as a bad mistake is effectively throwing 2 points away. Hate blobbing a shot hole! Proper schoolboy error.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Stroke index does not change the way I play the hole, never comes into my mind tbh unless it is a stable ford comp and I am trying to save a point around the green.

Normally if a par 4 or 5, it is driver off the tee, even if it means it is likely I will lose my Dunlop DDH ball and reload. There has to be proper reasons not to take the driver(like a 90 degree dog leg or a big lake at 200 yards, where the hole takes the driver out of my hand). You only live once and one day I will learn how to score.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

On the tee I'm looking for a par or better on every hole
After the tee shot that may change and knowing I have a shot (in Stableford) may dictate my next shot. I may go for a more tricky shot knowing that if it doesn't come off I can still probably score on the hole with a chip and a putt.
In Medal it's largely irrelevant.

I don't play stablefords and medals differently, I assume that gross double bogey is the worst I'll do anyway so it doesn't matter which format I'm playing.

 

[bluewolf]

Nope.. Stood on the tee, all I'm thinking of is how do I get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible.. SI doesn't even enter my head.. What would be the mindset if you bogey SI18? I can only imagine the mental turmoil once that happems

Ball on tee, pick a landing spot, then hit it.. If I miss then I may alter the strategy, but SI isn't even a consideration..

 

[Robobum]

One of my regular playing partners is all over his strokes and SIs. He'll have a putt for a point and race it 10feet past.

"Had to give it a go!"

Well yes, but in the event it was on target it would have glided straight over the hole anyway.

 

[tsped83]

No, unless the tee shot goes in to the trees, then yes.

 

[bladeplayer]

I don't even know what the SIs are around my place. My (lack of) ability dictates how I play each hole 

Lack of ability,,,?????

Get off the bus mate :rofl:your in the top 5 or so if not higher on here ,,

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Yes. for example our second hole.

It is par4 475yds SI 2. It is a long hard hole. I am always OK with a 5, if I get a four it is a bonus.

I can reach the green in two but it needs a very good straight drive. Anything less I will not reach. And if the rough Left and Right is long, as it often is, I am asking for trouble using a driver - will struggle for a 5 and a 6 or worse is quite possible if a leaked or pulled drive ends up in the doggie.

I know I can hit a steady straight 3i 210yds; a 5i a further 185yds; leaving me 80yds or so to the green. No trouble in front - easy pitch - no probs pitching onto the green in three and two putts for a five. So in a comp or a match I will often do that - my shot will give me a nett 4.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Yes. for example our second hole.

It is par4 475yds SI 2. It is a long hard hole. I am always OK with a 5, if I get a four it is a bonus.

I can reach the green in two but it needs a very good straight drive. Anything less I will not reach. And if the rough Left and Right is long, as it often is, I am asking for trouble using a driver - will struggle for a 5 and a 6 or worse is quite possible if a leaked or pulled drive ends up in the doggie.

I know I can hit a steady straight 3i 210yds; a 5i a further 185yds; leaving me 80yds or so to the green. No trouble in front - easy pitch - no probs pitching onto the green in three and two putts for a five. So in a comp or a match I will often do that - my shot will give me a nett 4.

But are you actually playing that way because it is SI 2, or because it is the best way for you to take as few shots as possible?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

But are you actually playing that way because it is SI 2, or because it is the best way for you to take as few shots as possible?

Could be either - depending upon the circumstances. In a medal I would do it to mitigate the risk of a 6,7 8 (I had a 9 on it in the Club Champs - played it stupidly) on the grounds that I am always happy with a 5 (and I get a shot off my gross at the end of the day to compensate). In a match - if I give a shot to a mid-handicapper I will play driver off tee, as a four is likely to give me the best chance of getting a half. If playing a high handicapper. Nice and steady 3i off the tee and play for a 5, the high handicapper will struggle to get a 6 and can easily blow up.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

Dictate = no.

Influence = sometimes.

I suspect my tee shot would be the same, but it may influence how I play my 2nd.....ie lay up or go for it

 

[duncan mackie]

Could be either - depending upon the circumstances. In a medal I would do it to mitigate the risk of a 6,7 8 (I had a 9 on it in the Club Champs - played it stupidly) on the grounds that I am always happy with a 5 (and I get a shot off my gross at the end of the day to compensate). In a match - if I give a shot to a mid-handicapper I will play driver off tee, as a four is likely to give me the best chance of getting a half. If playing a high handicapper. Nice and steady 3i off the tee and play for a 5, the high handicapper will struggle to get a 6 and can easily blow up.

I think this response strongly supports the fact that you aren't really dictated to by the SI at all. If the same hole was SI 16 you would play it the same - it's the strategy that represents your best opportunity of making a point with a realistic chance of 2 and a significantly reduced chance of 0. A more aggressive strategy won't increase the number of points over time but brings that sin of all sins in medal play into play - the nett triple bogey!

 

[pendodave]

In match play i think about it because obviously it has a specific impact on how many real shots might be required to win a hole.

In stableford it's only an issue if I've played the hole badly - I'll sometimes take an unlikely pot at a green if I need to get down in 2 for a point. Not much value in sensibly laying up for a blob.

Medal, never.

As some have noted, I've seen some terrible putting 'for a point' where the added pace has meant that holing out is rendered all but impossible.

 

[KenL]

Perhaps just an SGU thing but stroke index is not neccesarily related to how difficult holes are anymore. I believe there is guidance that they should be evenly spread with index 1 & 2 about the middle of each half. Also holes 1, 2, 9 & 10 are meant to follow some pattern. Our index 1 is a totally straight forward hole with the wind in the prevailing direction. Our index 8 is a 460 par 4 up a slight slope with a challenging green into the prevailing wind!

I only really consider stroke index in match play. If I am giving a stroke I know I need to "go for it". If not them I am thinking I need to win the hole.
I'm not that good at match play BTW!