In between clubs

[Deleted member 1147]

Surely it all comes down to the specifics of the individual shot.
Where is the pin, where is the trouble, what are the weather conditions etc etc?

For a back pin with danger long, I’d rather hit less club and not risk short siding myself.
For a front pin with bunkers at the front I’d rather hit more club.

We shouldn’t be setting rules that aren’t always the best for a set shot, just because they were right for a different shot.

 

[Imurg]

Surely it all comes down to the specifics of the individual shot.
Where is the pin, where is the trouble, what are the weather conditions etc etc?

For a back pin with danger long, I’d rather hit less club and not risk short siding myself.
For a front pin with bunkers at the front I’d rather hit more club.

We shouldn’t be setting rules that aren’t always the best for a set shot, just because they were right for a different shot.

The same shot to the same pin position can be completely different from day to day.
There's too many variables to have hard and fast rules

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Surely it all comes down to the specifics of the individual shot.
Where is the pin, where is the trouble, what are the weather conditions etc etc?

For a back pin with danger long, I’d rather hit less club and not risk short siding myself.
For a front pin with bunkers at the front I’d rather hit more club.

We shouldn’t be setting rules that aren’t always the best for a set shot, just because they were right for a different shot.

Absolutely is for me. The architecture of the hole and its risks and safe zones; what clubs I’m between; how well I am hitting them today; how well I am hitting any club today; and almost most important of all, my history in playing the shot (knowing for that last one that it shouldn’t come into things at all…but it does)

 

[sweaty sock]

Surely it all comes down to the specifics of the individual shot.
Where is the pin, where is the trouble, what are the weather conditions etc etc?

For a back pin with danger long, I’d rather hit less club and not risk short siding myself.
For a front pin with bunkers at the front I’d rather hit more club.

We shouldn’t be setting rules that aren’t always the best for a set shot, just because they were right for a different shot.

Sure, but in those situations the actual yardage you want to hit - regardless of pin or hazard. Could be between clubs? If the pins at the back and trouble is at the back, and middle of the green is 155 right between a 7 and 8, do i hit a soft 7, or a hard 8? If a 7 is perfect for the pin, but a slight flier or gust makes it big, or a super safe 8 that best case is 30ft short, worst case is 60ft off the front...

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Sure, but in those situations the actual yardage you want to hit - regardless of pin or hazard. Could be between clubs? If the pins at the back and trouble is at the back, and middle of the green is 155 right between a 7 and 8, do i hit a soft 7, or a hard 8? If a 7 is perfect for the pin, but a slight flier or gust makes it big, or a super safe 8 that best case is 30ft short, worst case is 60ft off the front...

Determine if you’re better hitting a chip/pitch/bunker shot from over the back, or the 60 ft putt/chip.

 

[sweaty sock]

Determine if you’re better hitting a chip/pitch/bunker shot from over the back, or the 60 ft putt/chip.

So determine whether you're best at hitting the results from poor smashed short club, or the poor soft long club.....

I suppose the point for the OP is, figure out some basic course management. Then do some practice to figure out if you miss is more predictable with soft swings or hard swings.

Teaching pro Bobmac clearly has a more predictable miss with soft swings. I personally have a more predictable miss with hard swings...

You need to hit a few hundred balls to find out

 

[bobmac]

Teaching pro Bobmac clearly has a more predictable miss with soft swings. I personally have a more predictable miss with hard swings...

I wouldn't say it's a soft swing, just a bit easier than a full shot, which can be achieved by a shorter backswing.
A soft swing might result in a lack of commitment and deceleration, neither of which are ideal.

Down the grip an inch or 2, shorter backswing and firm through impact

 

[Jason.H]

I wouldn't say it's a soft swing, just a bit easier than a full shot, which can be achieved by a shorter backswing.
A soft swing might result in a lack of commitment and deceleration, neither of which are ideal.

Down the grip an inch or 2, shorter backswing and firm through impact

I prefer to manipulate the face slightly opening to take a bit off or closing to add a bit. And changing my aim a touch to compensate. And always hitting my normal speed/tempo.

 

[Hobbit]

The other alternative is take the longer club but lay it off a little on the backswing, which will see you hit a soft fade. It takes some practice but it isn’t as hard skill to learn. Learning to feel where your hands are can make a huge difference to a shot.

 

[Jigger]

Sometimes when I play I find myself in between clubs more often than not. I tend to be better at taking a bit off the longer club than eeking out a few extra yards. To take a bit of yardage off a club I aim a fraction left and open the club face a touch.Is that normal?
The other week for a change I seemed to always have a good number but that’s rare

If it works the use it. Nothing wrong with expanding your skills but always good to have a stock shot when you’re struggling.

Personally I swing slower or take a half or 3/4 swing with a long club. I have these distances in my scorecard holder.

 

[sunshine]

So the majority of the trouble is behind the greens?
You don't have any bunkers short left or right?

I'm with Jim on this. At most courses I've played there is much more trouble long than short.
- Short could be in a bunker but short and straight is often on a nice apron where the ball will often bounce on to the green in summer. Short is also usually below the hole.
- Long could be in thick rough, trees, or OOB. Long is also usually above the hole.

 

[bobmac]

- Long could be in thick rough, trees, or OOB. Long is also usually above the hole.

I've never said anything about hitting it through the green.
Please read post no.13

 

[sunshine]

I've never said anything about hitting it through the green.
Please read post no.13

I have read post 13, and I understand your logic, which is based on many more rounds of golf than I will ever play.

Please read posts 3, 8 and 20.