Layup distance

[sunshine]

Why is it utter drivel?

How many people are capable of hitting the ball such a precise distance they can accurately lay up to their favourite yardage? Anyone in a double digit handicap will have at least a 20 yard front to back dispersion with a short and mid irons. Which grows as clubs get longer. We will ignore the fats, tops and slices into the deep stuff for now.

Now factor in working out exactly where the pin is located, wind, temperature, elevation changes, the random ball they are using, slope etc. in order for them to pick a club to lay up with. How many people even begin to think about these things?

If by some miracle they have left themselves the perfect yardage. They have then to actually hit their favourite number. Which given the front to back dispersion is unlikely.

Laying up to as specific yardage simply won’t happen often enough to make it a worthwhile strategy. Getting the ball as close to the hole as possible every shot is the best strategy.

That's so condescending to the majority of golfers.

 

[Mandofred]

The stats also don’t show how some people are substantially better at pitching than chipping. I have a mate who is mid single figures who I would trust to get it far closer from 40+ yards off the green than from around 10 yards from the green. His short chipping is by far the worst part of his game. Closer is not necessarily better for him.

Sounds like me. Shortish chip and rolls I truly stink at. I can hit some good ones, but jeez....the amount of horrible ones is way too high.

 

[Billysboots]

That's so condescending to the majority of golfers.

Only elite pros are ever going to factor in things like temperature, ball compression, elevation and such like. The rest of us are merely thinking about what distance we are going to leave ourselves to the middle of the green when opting to lay up.

 

[Bdill93]

As close to the green as possible... I like to think within 50 yards I'm pretty decent at getting down in 3 - but im farrrrrrr from perfect

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

That's so condescending to the majority of golfers.

Not wrong though.

 

[sunshine]

Which I never said.

yes you did... I guess you're one of those people who come on to a forum to feel superior and insult everyone

 

[sunshine]

Not wrong though.

No I think you're completely wrong.

Pretty sure most 18 handicappers for example are aware that shots uphill or into the wind don't travel as far as shots downwind or downhill.

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

yes you did... I guess you're one of those people who come on to a forum to feel superior and insult everyone

What I wrote was taken completely out of context as has been discussed.

Seems like you are another looking to take offence where none is intended.

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

No I think you're completely wrong.

Pretty sure most 18 handicappers for example are aware that shots uphill or into the wind don't travel as far as shots downwind or downhill.

But they have very little idea as to how much. I’ve seen it and done it.

 

[GreiginFife]

Jesus christ on a bike. We all play the game differently, have different preferences for shots and shot types. Who give a flying monkeys if someone else lays up or goes for the green. What's it to you how I play the game.

It's like the flag thread all over again. You do it different to me so you must be wrong. Absolute school yard bawbaggery.

 

[sunshine]

strokes gained clearly states closer is nearly always better. EVERY level of player is better from 40 yards vs 100 yards.

This is true, 40 yards generally better than 100. But is only half the equation: need to factor in the risk of the lay up shot.

If I am 260 yards out, I can try and hit a 3 wood which might leave me 40 yards for my approach. But I'm likely to mess up that 3 wood - too much risk vs reward. So it's a nuanced decision where I might settle for a 6 iron up the fairway and a longer wedge in.

 

[Mandofred]

Jesus christ on a bike. We all play the game differently, have different preferences for shots and shot types. Who give a flying monkeys if someone else lays up or goes for the green. What's it to you how I play the game.

It's like the flag thread all over again. You do it different to me so you must be wrong. Absolute school yard bawbaggery.

Hadn't heard that one....had to look it up.

 

[Orikoru]

This is true, 40 yards generally better than 100. But is only half the equation: need to factor in the risk of the lay up shot.

If I am 260 yards out, I can try and hit a 3 wood which might leave me 40 yards for my approach. But I'm likely to mess up that 3 wood - too much risk vs reward. So it's a nuanced decision where I might settle for a 6 iron up the fairway and a longer wedge in.

I usually play the odds with this - if I could try and flush a 3 wood to leave 40 yards in, or hit an iron and leave 100 yards in, I usually hit the 3 wood.. and leave 100 yards in.

 

[Springveldt]

I like to get as close as I can but I have done a fair amount of practice from 75yds and in.
I always used a Pro V1 so I could spin it with a shorter swing.

Do you vary where you hold the club...top, middle or bottom of the grip?

I’ll choke down an inch on some of them if I want to take a little distance off. For instance, I know my 54 goes 60 yards if I do what feels like back to 9 and through to 3 with no wrist set. Choking down an inch and doing the same goes 50 yards. If I feel the same length backswing but add in wrist set then it goes 80 yards. Flat out goes 100 but I’d rather hit my 50 or even PW for the 100 yard shot.

I’ve got those 3 feels for PW, 50, 54 and 58. Between them all I can cover 40-110 with some overlap so depending if I need to send it high or can keep it lower I can choose which one.

 

[harpo_72]

I have a window of 75-135 yards as I have a shot for 5 yard increments. Yes I am boring and no it’s not rocket science it just the same swing with 56, 50, 46, PW and 9 .. then choke down to shed 5 and cut across to remove 10. I did also use no shaft lean and shaft lean but currently I am working on the low shot like the pros use because it’s safer ( golf digest .. said )
But I think it’s a case of also knowing lies and wind etc because you can’t measure a shot and say oh yeah that’s 85 yards .. it may be playing 90 with elevation making it another 10 yards .. or the lie shapes the shot or dictates the contact point ..
But dropping the ball into this window according to my stats show. A 68% GIR with 16% short, 3% left and 6% long or right. This doesn’t state how close though… so I could be far away!

 

[SocketRocket]

Get a good short game.

 

[Gazgdc]

Do you have a favourite layup distance ? I hear this a fair bit, people saying they prefer a full shot to the green from say 100 yds , but to me unless you are forced into a layup then getting as close as possible is better. Id much rather have 40 yds Vs 100 yds.

Depends where the p

 

[Gazgdc]

It’s all about good course management and that goes for tee shots as well.
You need to weigh up risk vs reward.
If the pin is easily accessible then get as close as you can to the green but ensuring you don’t needlessly take on a bunker to get 30 yards closer.
If the pin is tucked away try and put yourself in the best position to play to that pin for your given ability.

 

[hairball_89]

It’s all about good course management and that goes for tee shots as well.
You need to weigh up risk vs reward.
If the pin is easily accessible then get as close as you can to the green but ensuring you don’t needlessly take on a bunker to get 30 yards closer.
If the pin is tucked away try and put yourself in the best position to play to that pin for your given ability.

This is grossly unfair. Accessible pin?! Sometimes the middle of the green isn’t accessible!