Forget shot shaping

[HomerJSimpson]

I can't do it. I know how to but I can't stand there with any confidence that I will get the required degree of movement. I might get too little or too much but rarely the correct amount to put it close. Therefore why take the risk. I would rather lay up to 85-100 yards and trust my wedges and putter. That is where I'm investing my time so why not trust the work. A lot of the time I'm getting a shot anyway so I'd rather make a net par, move on and consolidate. Better than walking off with a double and a negative mindset

 

[patricks148]

Just been out walking the dogs and took my old bladed 6 iron with me... draw and fade much easier to hit that with my game improvement clubs.

 

[sev112]

Medal on Saturday, 15th hole, I hit a drive straight down the middle. Fairway slopes left though so you really need to pitch on the right side. My ball kicked left and ended up in the first cut of rough but totally blocked out from the green by a large tree. Seven iron would go over the tree but not reach the green. Choice was chip out to the fairway and leave a wedge to the green or bend one round the tree. I hit a ...

... Beatiful contact but instead of drawing into the green it went straight (why can't I hit it straight like that when I want to?) ,and straight out of bounds. Reloaded, topped into bottom of tree , took unplayable, chipped sideways, pitched onto green and 3 putted for a 12!!! Wish I hadn't tried to bend it like Bubba ..."

... Is the standard retort of 95% of the golfing population to that scenario

 

[harpo_72]

To have that kind of ball control you would be scratch .. Or better! But why would you move a ball toward a hazard, better to move it away from it or to "not short side" yourself. That is course management, which is often over looked, people will drive the ball and leave themselves in between shots when a shorter tee shot would leave a nice full shot on a short iron.

 

[beggsy]

Not many golfers in the world have a straight shot

 

[FairwayDodger]

... Beatiful contact but instead of drawing into the green it went straight (why can't I hit it straight like that when I want to?) ,and straight out of bounds. Reloaded, topped into bottom of tree , took unplayable, chipped sideways, pitched onto green and 3 putted for a 12!!! Wish I hadn't tried to bend it like Bubba ..."

... Is the standard retort of 95% of the golfing population to that scenario

Lol! Me too usually. Let me rejoice in the time it came off perfectly!

It's about context as well. If I had a great round going I'd probably have chipped out and played for par (it's a short par 5 this hole) but I needed to play the last four holes one under par to make buffer and this is the best birdie opportunity. Plus even if I nailed it straight I wouldn't be out of bounds; just chipping on from the right side rough.

I also had a favourable lie to promote a draw, ball above my feet, I was pretty optimistic it'd come off.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

There is no substitute for straight!

I think it was Tom Watson who said that 'there is only one straight so don't worry when you're not'