Airlie_Andy
Challenge Tour Pro
Again good point and it's something I need to work on. My eclectic score for the 2 balls was -3 gross through 14 holes which is just insane so if I could get the mix right I could be saving a couple of shots at least.
Interesting experiment tonight.
- Thread starter Airlie_Andy
- Start date
Again good point and it's something I need to work on. My eclectic score for the 2 balls was -3 gross through 14 holes which is just insane so if I could get the mix right I could be saving a couple of shots at least.
Airlie_Andy
Challenge Tour Pro
Yeah I agree and that's basically what happened it was just one of those days that the aggressive play worked almost every time. I fully accept that it was just a very good day in that respect. The double bogey I had with the aggressive ball was going for a tuck pin close to a run off into a water hazard that was only fractionally off. Cautious ball made a simple 2 putt par so its getting that balance right which I need to learn and not lose focus so that I apply a sensible thought process to it.
garyinderry
Ryder Cup Winner
getting aggressive and trying to get everything close depends on the conditions too. if its firm it can be really tough to get close to some pins. when the greens are receptive you can fire away a little more knowing that if you hit the green the ball will sit down pretty quick.
when they are firm and you want to get close you have to land it pretty short and chase things in which in my opinion is much harder to judge.
when they are firm and you want to get close you have to land it pretty short and chase things in which in my opinion is much harder to judge.
DaveM
Tour Winner
Surely the way to go is a mix of both. Aggressive when needed. Safety first on shot where the odds are to high.
gdc
Head Pro
As already stated your safe approach was a little too safe in my books. 3 iron off the tee when you could hit 3/5 wood is ultra safe and will create more difficult approach shots.
It is all about percentages.
Say you have a 210/230 yard approach into a par 5 after a good drive for example and you can hit a 3 wood that yardage. There are bunkers 30 yards short right across the green and bunkers protecting the left and right of the green with the pin being defended by the left hand bunker.
I believe you need to ask yourself
1) how many times out of ten you would expect to hit the green
2) if you do hit the green how long is the putt likely to be
3) if you miss the green how great could the damage be
4) is there an easy lay-up which gives you a good birdie chance
5) do you have to birdie the hole to make buffer - i.e. Risks need to be taken etc?
Loads of people I play with are just so gung-ho that they go for everything - lots of birdies but they go hand in hand with lots of doubles and triples.
Why take on a shot you can make 1 out of 5 times when the punishment for missing (4 out of 5 times) could cost you 2 shots??
It is all about percentages.
Say you have a 210/230 yard approach into a par 5 after a good drive for example and you can hit a 3 wood that yardage. There are bunkers 30 yards short right across the green and bunkers protecting the left and right of the green with the pin being defended by the left hand bunker.
I believe you need to ask yourself
1) how many times out of ten you would expect to hit the green
2) if you do hit the green how long is the putt likely to be
3) if you miss the green how great could the damage be
4) is there an easy lay-up which gives you a good birdie chance
5) do you have to birdie the hole to make buffer - i.e. Risks need to be taken etc?
Loads of people I play with are just so gung-ho that they go for everything - lots of birdies but they go hand in hand with lots of doubles and triples.
Why take on a shot you can make 1 out of 5 times when the punishment for missing (4 out of 5 times) could cost you 2 shots??
HawkeyeMS
Ryder Cup Winner
:thup:
Kidge004
Hacker
Now this has been creeping into my game recently. I will always take the safer approach to keep doubles off my card. For example our first is a 440yd Par4, normally a straight drive would leave me 180 to the green with bunkers front left and right plus back right. I know if i hit my hybrid well i will hit the green but its a tough shot. If i hit an 7 iron 140, leave myself a 40yard pitch and back myself to pitch and putt i still leave the green with a par. At worst a 5.
This typed of play has seen me cut down from 12 to 10 and also went 45 holes without a double.
This typed of play has seen me cut down from 12 to 10 and also went 45 holes without a double.
cookelad
Tour Winner
:thup:
Your safe play would put around your handicap more consistently, while the attacking golf might give you the lower best score it'd probably give a far higher worst score too!
without raining on your parade- plus I havent read all the replies.
A very good and similar experiment is to play 2 balls but only on your second shot (drives can go anywhere and its the green shot that sets up birdies or bogies), 1st ball go for the centre of the green only, 2nd ball attack the pin.........think you'll be surprised how often the 1st ball is the closest to the pin
A very good and similar experiment is to play 2 balls but only on your second shot (drives can go anywhere and its the green shot that sets up birdies or bogies), 1st ball go for the centre of the green only, 2nd ball attack the pin.........think you'll be surprised how often the 1st ball is the closest to the pin
MadAdey
Money List Winner
Definatly something I believe in. Take a club that will hit the middle of the green, at most places more often than you will be left with a simple 2 putt par and some good birdie chances. Golf to me is all about hitting greens in regulation, if you do it 18 times and you can putt then you are going to be level par at worse. Why take risks, we do not need to shoot -7 to have a good round.
hines57
Challenge Tour Pro
Definitely agree with this!Definitely the aggressive one. Will be a different story with a card in your hand though
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
Interesting. Sounds good fun.
I wonder if the more aggressive play would be less successful if there was actually some pressure on the shots. My feeling is in those circs a more controlled swing and safer course management option might win out. Hard to replicate in practice. I think you'd only find out if you actually tried the two approaches in different medal comps.
I wonder if the more aggressive play would be less successful if there was actually some pressure on the shots. My feeling is in those circs a more controlled swing and safer course management option might win out. Hard to replicate in practice. I think you'd only find out if you actually tried the two approaches in different medal comps.
