Driver vs Putter

[DaveR]

You’ve clearly got nothing sensible to add to the debate, so why are you bothering?

A bit like yourself then.

 

[CountLippe]

I’ve seen a few people off 5 who I would say are average off the tee, but good putters.

Depends what you consider ‘average’. I’d say it’s pretty rare. Handicap generally follows driving ability, especially the lower you get.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Another slant is to say, you can be a 5 handicapper and an average putter. No chance you can get to 5 handicap with average driving and good putting

But I think I did just that in 1977. Changed my putter only once since then.

 

[DaveR]

Depends what you consider ‘average’. I’d say it’s pretty rare. Handicap generally follows driving ability, especially the lower you get.

I used to play with a 3capper years ago, couldn't hit a fairway to save his life but probably taught Seve everything he knew about recovery shots. Pretty rare to be fair though.

 

[BiMGuy]

A bit like yourself then.

At least I tried to engage in sensible debate before being dragged down to your level.

 

[Imurg]

At the end of the day every part of the game is as important as the others..if one or two of them aren't working then you're not scoring well and if they all work then you shoot a PB.
There will be players at both ends of the spectrum and plenty in the middle.
Golf has so many variables..

 

[BiMGuy]

Depends what you consider ‘average’. I’d say it’s pretty rare. Handicap generally follows driving ability, especially the lower you get.

https://shotscope.com/blog/stats/2021-average-driving-distances/

 

[DaveR]

At least I tried to engage in sensible debate before being dragged down to your level.

You started it fella. Anyway, my dad is bigger than your dad.......

 

[Voyager EMH]

https://shotscope.com/blog/stats/2021-average-driving-distances/

There's the proof I needed. I'm very happy with a 250 yard drive and I have an HI of 3.0

I've suspected this for some time - I'M A COMPLETE FREAK OF GOLFING NATURE.
You will have to take everything I say on this subject with a pinch of salt, in that case. (OK - as if I didn't know you were doing that already?)

 

[JamesR]

Basically, if you’re a hacker you probably need to improve your long game (driving, long irons etc).
If you’re a good/decent player, improving your putting will probably save more shots.

 

[BiMGuy]

Basically, if you’re a hacker you probably need to improve your long game (driving, long irons etc).
If you’re a good/decent player, improving your putting will probably save more shots.

Not necessarily. The gains putting become much smaller the better you get.

 

[JamesR]

Not necessarily. The gains putting become much smaller the better you get.

If you hit every green in reg and 2 putt all of them, your best way of improving is to home more putts.

 

[louise_a]

I admit to not being a great putter for more reasons that I care to mention, but I maintain a decent handicap thanks to my driving, so for my driving is more important.

 

[CountLippe]

If you hit every green in reg and 2 putt all of them, your best way of improving is to home more putts.

Or hit your approach closer. Outside 12ft your basically 2 putting

 

[JamesR]

Or hit your approach closer. Outside 12ft your basically 2 putting

Exactly ! Hole more putts from outside 12 feet and you’ll improve your score

 

[BiMGuy]

Or hit your approach closer. Outside 12ft your basically 2 putting

Or you’re better at putting than a tour pro.

 

[nickjdavis]

If you hit every green in reg and 2 putt all of them, your best way of improving is to home more putts.

and the easiest way to hole more putts is to hit your ball closer to hole with your approach shot....and the best way to do that is to drive your ball closer to the green.

 

[JamesR]

and the easiest way to hole more putts is to hit your ball closer to hole with your approach shot....and the best way to do that is to drive your ball closer to the green.

Look up Lou Stagner, his stats prove that no one hits it close as an average.
So good putting is the difference.

 

[Wildboy370]

I assume your course has par 3's and short par 4's? Is there trouble off every tee at your course?

In all honesty if you were having a mare with the big dog at our course you could easily loose a ball on all but one hole and on that easily hit it OB.

 

[BiMGuy]

Look up Lou Stagner, his stats prove that no one hits it close as an average.
So good putting is the difference.

And no one one holes any putts over 10ft.
Getting better at amateur golf is about not making doubles, then bogies as you get into lower single figures.

The easiest way to do that is by getting better off the tee and approach shots.