Experiment

[par_par_par_treble]

I find my ego takes control of my game too often – e.g. trying to smash a drive 100s of yards, when it’s not really needed. This often ends up with my ball in the trees/rough and a bogey or worse on my card. (It feels good when it works though!!)

I think I could get away with only using my driver 3 times and 3 wood once each round, from our yellow tees (used all winter). Last week I used them 13 times though and only hit 3 fairways and 1 green.

Using my 5 iron instead on 8 par 4s would leave me an average approach of 138 yards. Using my 5 iron on both par 5s would leave me an average of 285 left – takes out the thought of going for the green in two and leaves just a 5 iron and sand wedge in…

Surely my score must improve, if my ego is left at home!?!? Got to hit more fairways and this should lead to hitting more greens?

Has anyone tried this?? What results did you get?

 

[GB72]

I have been thinking of trying the same thing. This was brought about when trying some new clubs and was given a 6 iron to try. It struck me that I hardly ever use a six iron (admitedly one of the course I play on is pretty short) as most of the holes are risky drive followed by 9 iron/wedge or drive followed by hybrid then as short iron or wedge. As a relative newcomer, my course management need work but I have realised that I should be playing a safer shot off the tee follows by a mid iron. That said, nothing beats the feeling or a well struck drive and that is half of my problem.

 

[viscount17]

it's the glory shot isn't it? as you say it's a wonderful feeling - when it comes off.
I've started to realise that it's all about the next shot - not much use being 300 yds down range if it's buried in a hedge.
However, realising it and doing it . . . . .

 

[muttleee]

not much use being 300 yds down range if it's buried in a hedge.

Indeed. It's not how but how many, as they say.

 

[USER1999]

Only trick is, you need to middle your five iron every time. I have tried this, and it is not as easy as it sounds, because you start to try to hit it further (which defeats the point). You only need a few miss hits, and the card is out the window.

Nice idea, give it a try.

 

[Dave3498]

When you have a 360yd par 4, it would be nice to have a 300yd drive, and be left with a 60yd pitch, but this depends upon a nice straight drive. If you have trouble both sides it is better not to risk it and work out your shots. A nice safe 200yd 5 wood off the tee and a 5 or 6 iron approach, and you're putting for a birdie. Course management is the name of the game.

 

[RGuk]

My ego passed it's best years ago, when I realised I couldn't outdrive anyone at my club!!

I've been playing the conservative game for years and never regretted it. I never leave under 100 yds to go unless I can get within 30 yds of the front. This leads to some odd selection. At my club I play no drivers on the front 9, 4 on the back. 4 x 3 woods on the front, 2 on the back. 5 x 5 woods overall and the rest is par 3s or 3H off the tee. Today I had all 9 irons and PW to the greens.

My old club champ (course record holder, 66 1994?) once played the 16th par five with 3 x 7 irons to prove the point. I wouldn't waste my time with this sillyness, or indeed taking 5 irons off a tee, because I go out looking for 100-120 yd shots to the green.

For me, the 5 wood is a good bet on everything up to 350, and I won't use the driver ever . They've also locked it in the safe at the asylum.

 

[Dave3498]

My ego passed it's best years ago, when I realised I couldn't outdrive anyone at my club!!

I too am a short hitter, but I do use my driver because I am usually pretty straight with it. I decline the risk/reward long shot to the green when it occurs, preferring to lay-up to my strongest approach distance, and hope for some good putting.

 

[brendy]

My 5 wood is probably my most predictable long club (4 iron-driver) I still get into that rut of using the driver again. The 5 wood goes pretty well compared to the driver too so usually im sat alongside my other 3 playing partners anyway. The driver only comes out on the short doglegs and par 5's if im playing to plan round my own course, if im having a bad day its usually because im not hitting fairways.

 

[didz]

its all about managing your game. only been playing a year now, but starting to realise that i only use the big dog when there really isnt any trouble around and can get away with wayward shots. at my course one of the holes is only a small par 4, 300yrds long. i can get the driver out and drive to the green, done it loads of times now. but theres a lot of trouble around the green, looks good when it comes off in front of your mates. card spoiler when it doesnt.
you just learn to leave your ego at the door and like whats been said before, games about getting round in a few as shots possible.