Hitting over water

[Down_The_Middle]

When hitting over water do you change your ball to an old one or use the same ball you were using. For me I carry on using the one I started with. AD333

 

[madandra]

I think changing your ball to an old one is telling your brain you expect to loose it in the drink. If you are told to commit to the shot you should also commit to the ball.

When facing a shot over water I usually take an extra club and play the percentage shot.

 

[Down_The_Middle]

Yeah thats how I see it too.

 

[medwayjon]

Negative thinking is a bad, bad thing.

Think positive, imagine the shot in your mind and play it.

This is why I don't muck about with pratice swings much, I like to address the ball, have a waggle and then play the shot. This routine works ok for me so I stick to it.

 

[TonyN]

I don't see hitting over water any different to a normal shot. I used to but now i am confident a can get the ball up and down so its no problem.

When i first started playing i would carry crapy balls for this. Now i hardly ever loose balls so carry no more than 10 ad333's.

Like was said above, if you change your ball its as good as saying to your self i have duffed this and if you think about it, you already have.

 

[Boabski]

lets be honest about this shut the eyes and hope for the best

 

[Gazzery]

I totally agree, and old ball will lessen your commitment to the shot, i just concentrate on making a clean strike, and make sure i do no try an hit the ball up let the club do its job

 

[AliB]

Good question, and I have to own up. I agree in principle, but I bet I'm not the only one who changes to an old ball, cos if I don't I'm standing there thinking 'am I wasting that good ball?'which in my game is a negative thought. This is particularly on our second which isn't a particularly long hit but prey to varying winds etc (and at a time when I'm barely warmed up).
Having said that, times I'm feeling confident of club etc I might just go ahead and hit the good one.
Depends on the hole, the conditions, the mood I'm in!

AliB

.

 

[birdieman]

You don't say whether the water's part of a par 3 or par 4 hole. Not wishing to be pedantic but remember you can't change a ball mid-hole unless it's damaged and your playing partners agree it's damaged.

 

[Basher]

Water, always a daunting prospect!
Played a hole yesterday where water almost split the fairway in two. In other words, you had to cross the water to get to the green.

You know the hazard is there but I find the best way forward is to imagine it not being there. Imagine it to be part of the fairway in your minds eye.
If you think you may lose it, chances are you will!

I'm as guilty as anyone for bottling it at spooky holes, water, ravines, overgrown areas. Sometimes though, you just have to go for it.

 

[GB72]

Normally just go for it over water except on one hole on my old course. It was a par 3 on which if you did not hit the green you were in the lake and, whatsmore, the front of the green slopes towards the lake as well. On that one hole I usually found myself reaching for a cheaper or older ball.

 

[TonyN]

There is a course near me called Mollington (anyone know it) and the 16th (i think) is a short par 3. You tee off on top of a hill and shoot to a green which is an island pretty much, Most of the green slopes towards the surrounding pond. Is quite good fun but worth taking a few crappy balls if you play it. First time i played it i hit the green, decided to play a few more balls and lost them all.

 

[theeaglehunter]

For a high handicapper I think I'm very good at ignoring the fact I'm playing over a hazzard. I would certainly not change the ball as that means I've thought asbout the ball going in the water and if I think something I do it...unless I decide I want to land the ball a foot from the hole... that doesn't seem to work.

 

[pigmeister]

What water?????

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Fortunately the only water that really comes into play at Royal Ascot is the pons cutting into the green on the 18th but with room to bale out left if you wanted.

Our 3rd hole requires the biggest carry over an protected environmental are. The carry is about 180 yard and the shot is predominantly into the wind. Coming so early in the round I have been known to take an old ball out if I haven't started so well.

Have to say though in normal circumstances I just stand there and trust my swing. Its a mental thing because in the Summer I'll clear it easily with a 3 wood.

 

[viscount17]

We have loads of water. if I were to change to old balls for water shots I'd rarely, if ever, use a new one.

How does your old ball perform on the green?