Good Score OR Good Ball Striking?

PeterPumpkinEater

PeterPumpkinEater

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Having gone round with my mate the other day I was really disapointed having shot an 82. I struck the ball really well and was unlucky to go OOB twice with two unlucky bounces.

My mate turned round to me afterwards when i said that i was disapointed with my score and said it means much more to him to strike the ball well than to get a good score. So my question is this:-

Would you rather:-

a) Strike the ball well i.e. putting everything, centre of the fairway drives, GIR etc and have a score of say 85?

OR

b) Hit lots of low runners onto the green, lucky bounces, hit trees and end up in the middle of the fairway etc. and score a 78?
 
I always have the hump if I don't strike it well. The score is important, but no where near as important as swinging well. I would rather hit a good shot with a bad ending than a poor shot which is lucky.
 
If your doing this...

a) Strike the ball well i.e. putting everything, centre of the fairway drives, GIR etc and have a score of say 85?

I think you'll need to see Bob about one of his v-esy's, cos the putting must be...... ;)

But I know where your coming from. I feel I've been stricking the ball well, but not scoring. I just need to tidy up my game (elliminate the bad and keep the good)
 
Depends what your playing for as ChrisMc says if you want to put a score in it dosn't matter how ugly it gets if you are making the numbers all you do is make yourself feel bad by worrying about striking - if its a social game its all for show and its all about striking
 
From a satisfying point of view, Striking well for me. I just love to hit golf balls, and if I hit them well, I aint usually too bothered about the score!
 
I'd take ball striking any day. The scores will eventually follow. Oddly I'd rather flush a 4-iron and get a bad bounce into a bunker than thin one to 2 foot and tap in for a birdie.... I must be MAD! :D
 
Good question.
I'd rather come off the course having played well, particularly in a friendly.
But, come a qualifying round the score is what counts.
Yesterday in a society match I drove really well, didn't strike my irons well, chipped well but putted like a fool (38 putts) but played to 7.

I know it could have been better, and my handicap may have come down if it were a comp'.But I'm still disapointed because I didn't really play well and putted so badly. But then again I'm happy because without playing well I was still 2 under my handicap. After all - what might happen when I play well??

So to answer your question - I don't really know!
 
On an average day I'd like to see myself hitting clean stokes. The thing is if I'm playing really well this will transcribe into my score, though there are times when we know we've hit the ball well, but been a little unluky where its fallen.

There is nothing that get my goat more at least for a second than a badly exacuted shot. Odd thing is sometimes we can thin it with the best & actually end up in a great position with more spawn the a pond full of frogs. After an initial good talking to I mentally give myself My attitude is generally "Sometimes all that matters is the result" Though it doesn't lessen the inward self lecture I'll give myself.

So tbqh I think Good ball striking is all important.
 
As a high h'cap player I'd take ball striking as that is ultimately what is going to reduce your score over time. Yes I'll take whatever luck has to throw at me, but luck runs out. Hopefully skilled ball stricking doesn't.

Hit well and good score = very happy bunny.
Hit well and poor score = okay (ish) bunny.
Hit poorly and good score = happy bunny but with reservations.
Hit poorly and bad score = don't even talk to me!!
 
Competition then I will take whatevers on offer if I've hit it poorly , short games usually good enough to keep me scoring

Friendly I really couldnt care about the score as long as I've hit it nice cos thats when I try wierd shots , fades and draws and knock downs etc
 
If it is a competition the old no picture on the scorecard adage is true and I'll take a low score anyway I can. Friendly or practice rounds I want to be hitting the ball flush and would rather strike well and score badly. Having my cake and eating it. Definitely!
 
I'd take ball striking any day. The scores will eventually follow. Oddly I'd rather flush a 4-iron and get a bad bounce into a bunker than thin one to 2 foot and tap in for a birdie.... I must be MAD! :D
Click to expand...

I agree with this. If I go around the course close to h'cap via the scenic route and make 6 pars without hitting a green, I'm gutted. Once I start nailing drives and hitting greens, I know a sub-80 is on it's way!!!
 
Its how many, not how. I'd take the better score then go and practice hard on ball striking for the next game!
 
Its how many, not how.
Click to expand...

I love this old chestnut.....

I've never felt this myself, can't see many positives in scrambling around like a beginner but scoring like a 12 h'cap. It shows the short game is working, but the long game is rubbish. I'm after both, and I know if my long game is starting to look up, then really good scores will follow.

For me, HOW? is important. I want to know if there is a pattern to my poor shots, gives me more to work on....
 
If you strike the ball well you should be enjoying a reasonable score anyway, sometimes its just down to the bounce or the run, both of which can be very unlucky sometimes.

If I am striking everything well then I am very happy as in such cases its never a poor scoring round but can often be a great score.

If its a comp, then I am happy too, but even happier if I get lucky a few times from duffed shots and get a great score. ;)
 
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