How would you play it?

[patricks148]

If I were to take my average drive, I would still have 230 to go so depending on the lie would prob go for it with my 2 hybrid and settle for a 5

 

[Fyldewhite]

My only aim when I step on the tee is to hit a good drive. Then I have a little walk and think how best to play the hole from there. On a long 4 hole like this, if I hit a good drive then great, I will try to hit the green or get pretty close to make a par likely. If not then I ensure I do not compound the error, get as close as possible and try to leave a makable putt for a par but won't get too disappointed at a bogey. Suppose what I'm saying is that I don't have a "whole hole" strategy, just take one shot at a time.

 

[USER1999]

What difference does the stroke index make to how you play the hole in a medal?

None. It's strokeplay.

Add up your total shots, take off your h/cap, that's your score.

 

[NWJocko]

Interesting how people play within the realms of their handicaps and also par for the hole.

I tee it up and try and play the hole in as few a shots as I possibly can. Par, bogey etc doesn't really matter to me as they all count the same to your final score.

After probably hundreds of rounds at my course I still couldn't tell you what holes I get a shot on. Play the hole and tot up after you've putted out is my way of playing.

Maybe I'm doing it wrongly though!!

 

[John_Findlay]

Wouldn't have any effect on how I played it but the stroke index would have a bearing on how happy I was after marking my score down for it. If stroke index 7 or above I've dropped a shot with a 5. If 6 or less then I've done what I'm meant to.

 

[Oddsocks]

What difference does the stroke index make to how you play the hole in a medal?

None. It's strokeplay.

Add up your total shots, take off your h/cap, that's your score.

See here I have to disagree. The stroke index is effectively a difficulty rating for each hole. This is telling me that if the difficulty rating is between 1-13, if I do par it I’ve done well and better than is expected of me.

Now in a medal the fact is this hole is going to require solid drive, and a hybrid for a chance of hitting the green in 2. How good is my accuracy from 200 yards in... the chances are I may pick up a bunker or miss the green, so throw a extra chip in with 2 putts and although I have missed a par, I have done what is expected of me off my handicap

On a 450+ yard par 4 I don’t see this as a chance to gain shots unless either my 2nd shot is a peach, or my chip on is very very close. I would look on a 450+ yard par 4 with a stroke as damage limitations and look to make my shots up on the shorter par 4's where my approach shots are 6i down, and not from 200 yards. Why bring yourself down by going one down after 4, that would average only 5 over per round (or 4.5 to be exact)

A lot may think this is a weird approach to a medal card, but after a blow up in January I just missed the buffer, but I won our medal in February & March so my theory cant be that bad aye...

 

[Bacardibatman]

i wouldnt change the way id play it
it a par 4 and id expect to be on in 2


id expect a par never know might make a birdie, then again might make 5....if i did it wouldnt be the end of the world +1 after 4

 

[NWJocko]

What difference does the stroke index make to how you play the hole in a medal?

None. It's strokeplay.

Add up your total shots, take off your h/cap, that's your score.

See here I have to disagree. The stroke index is effectively a difficulty rating for each hole. This is telling me that if the difficulty rating is between 1-13, if I do par it I’ve done well and better than is expected of me.

Now in a medal the fact is this hole is going to require solid drive, and a hybrid for a chance of hitting the green in 2. How good is my accuracy from 200 yards in... the chances are I may pick up a bunker or miss the green, so throw a extra chip in with 2 putts and although I have missed a par, I have done what is expected of me off my handicap

On a 450+ yard par 4 I don’t see this as a chance to gain shots unless either my 2nd shot is a peach, or my chip on is very very close. I would look on a 450+ yard par 4 with a stroke as damage limitations and look to make my shots up on the shorter par 4's where my approach shots are 6i down, and not from 200 yards. Why bring yourself down by going one down after 4, that would average only 5 over per round (or 4.5 to be exact)

A lot may think this is a weird approach to a medal card, but after a blow up in January I just missed the buffer, but I won our medal in February & March so my theory cant be that bad aye...

I didn't think SI was a measure of difficulty for each hole?

I may be wrong (no surprise) but isn't it balanced across the 9's and also the starting/finishing hole with matchplay in mind?

 

[USER1999]

I never look at the stroke index. I hate stableford, so as far as I am concerned, I'm playing stroke play always in my head. If you expect to bogey stroke index 1 'because it is difficult', you always will.

Also, just because the majority find a hole difficult, doesn't mean that I will. I may find a different hole is my 'bogey' hole, which everyone else pars.

Further to that, SI does not indicate the difficulty of the hole. Due to the rules of assigning SI, it has to be jigged and fudged. If the hardest hole on your course is the first, it will never be SI 1, and neither will 18. Often the second won't be a lower index than 5 either. This makes looking at SI a bit of an irrelevance.

In my head, I hate bogeying SI 1, as it means I have conformed to someone elses expectations.

 

[bladeplayer]

With no water or OOB , id want a par mate .. need to get the drive away , that would determine expectation , drive away & on the fairway mid/ long iron on or up close... that would be after i stopped the nose bleed caused by the shock of paring the 1st 3 haha

 

[Kellfire]

As a high handicapper, my current aim is bogey golf

So if it said par 4, you'd be trying to make a 5 and if it was a par 5, you'd be happy with a 6?

Hmmm, not quite so simple as that I guess. I'd be happy with a 5 no matter what I think. It's a short par 5 if it is one.

 

[bladeplayer]

Would the aim not to be take as few shots as required? no matter what the par?or your handicap? if there was trouble on the hole ok change the way you play it, if not, pick it grip it & rip it , FIND IT (hopefuly) then hit it again as close as you can ... 3wood 6 iron seems 2 pretty big ole hits tho .. wow

 

[bobmac]

At least Murh has got what I'm getting at.
If you're playing in a medal, as long as your score (net or gross) is lowest it doesnt matter if your level par or 10 over.

Imagine playing these 2 holes, which is easier?

3rd hole
475 yds
Par 4
S.I. 1


4th hole
480 yds
Par 5
S.I. 18

 

[Oddsocks]

Further to that, SI does not indicate the difficulty of the hole. Due to the rules of assigning SI, it has to be jigged and fudged. If the hardest hole on your course is the first, it will never be SI 1, and neither will 18. Often the second won't be a lower index than 5 either. This makes looking at SI a bit of an irrelevance.

Our 2nd is SI2 ....

.

 

[Oddsocks]

At least Murh has got what I'm getting at.
If you're playing in a medal, as long as your score (net or gross) is lowest it doesnt matter if your level par or 10 over.

Imagine playing these 2 holes, which is easier?

3rd hole
475 yds
Par 4
S.I. 1


4th hole
480 yds
Par 5
S.I. 18

Neither is easier, but you would assume the 4th is easier to par . only 5 yards in it but one extra stroke. if i was stood on the tee of either hole i would be more confident in a gross par on the 4th.

i see what your getting at about the medal meaning gross les h/c = result. i suppose if you bommed the par 4 and saved a stroke its in the bank for a future hole. I was assessing the 4th based on being level after 3 and 4th being a long par 4. if i could only drop 1 stroke per 4 holes, id be chuffed.

 

[USER1999]

How can a shot be 'in the bank'? You are clearly expecting to shoot your handicap, and drop shots elsewhere. Me? I'm trying to shoot level par every time I go out. I don't succeed, but it's what I am trying to do.

 

[Oddsocks]

fair play murph, i aim within my means.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

How can a shot be 'in the bank'? You are clearly expecting to shoot your handicap, and drop shots elsewhere. Me? I'm trying to shoot level par every time I go out. I don't succeed, but it's what I am trying to do.

I always aim to par every hole, unfortunately I've never shot level par in my life so I have to be realistic and accept I'm gonna drop shots. My plan is to give myself the best chance to make par and depending on the features of the hole and the result of my tee shot that changes the way I play it based on my strengths and weaknesses. That's the same for every hole regardless of the length. The reason I spend so long practicing wedges inside 100yds is because it gives me a better chance to make par if I get in trouble off the tee.

For this mythical par 4 I'd hit driver off the tee and then work out the best way to make par from there. That may or may not involve going for the green in 2.

Given that I'm gonna drop shots I'd take a 5 on this hole if it meant avoiding a 6 or 7 by taking on a shot I wasn't comfortable with.

 

[HRC99]

It is always one shot at a time regardless of the length, par or stroke index.

You pick your shot, hit it and then look what your options are for the next one.

That's all you can ever do.

 

[G1BB0]

as a beginner who doesnt take driver and if I had a h/c probs 28 then I would play it to my handicap so a par 5/6

I would take 3 wood off the tee then try 2 irons to be on the green in 3 and 2 putts, anything better would be a bonus

I dont really look at what the par is for a hole at present, only the distance for club choice, I am happy to hit 3 6 irons to be on for 3 and take 1 or 2 putts (usually 3 tho haha)