That's cheating, you added an edit, ha ha. I get your point but as a coach would you not say, even in medals, to break down your round into small chunks or targets? To do that you need something to aim for and that is the par for each hole.
Par 71
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It would make it harder in every golfers head. It would remove more of the fun. No one wants their handicap to go up, it is how we are all measured.
For this to work properly you would need every golfer to be rewired.
bobmac
Major Champion
Is it not possible that the bold bit may actually be why you're off what you are?
bobmac
Major Champion
Isn't your handicap based on CSS, not par?
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
In what respect? Can you explain what you mean please
bobmac
Major Champion
You want to be single figures right?
But you think like a 15 h/capper (No offence meant to 15 hcps}
Do you think many sf golfers settle for a net par on the tee?
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Fair comment, and I get what you're saying. How would you change the mindset then, bearing in mind as a mid-handicapper, technique may not be as consistent as I'd like. I can see where being more positive can help, but where do you draw a line between that and making poor decisions and pushing too hard that leads to a card wrecking hole?
bobmac
Major Champion
Well settling for bogey because it's a shot hole before you've even hit your drive wont help.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Of course it makes a difference. Someone who is 18 handicap gets a shot every hole, irrespective of stroke index. So if he does the hole in five, the par dictates whether he scores 2 or 3 points doesn't it?
bobmac
Major Champion
I should have mentioned earlier I was talking about medal play.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Most people recognise their limitations though. If it's a par 4, 480 yards, stroke index 1, and you know you can't drive more than 240 yards, then you have absolutely zero chance of reaching it in two, and you have no choice but to think in the terms Homer described. Obviously the goal is to get near the green and then up and down to make your par, but you're still going to accept bogey / net par given the distance.
bobmac
Major Champion
How would you approach the hole if it was a par 5?
Orikoru
Tour Winner
I think in that situation you feel more comfortable because you can easily reach the green in three. It doesn't feel like a really difficult hole in your mind so the pressure is less. For example, if you still have 90 yards to go with your third shot, and the pin is in a tricky area, if you're playing it as a par 4 you might feel like you have to go for the pin, whereas with a par 5 you'd maybe take the easier shot to the middle of the green as you know you can two putt for par.
Obviously my mindset is not going to be that of a low handicapper since I'm not one. Perhaps you're suggesting that the low handicapper mindset is to pretty much always go for the pins irrespective of par, and I guess I can understand that being the case.
bobmac
Major Champion
I'll rephrase the question
If you get 2 shots at the hole, how would you approach it as a par 5
If you get 2 shots at the hole, how would you approach it as a par 5
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Well it depends on the hole and how it's set out, but I'd happily go with a comfortable mid-iron on my second shot, if I know I can leave a comfortable short iron on the third shot to get to the green.
If it was a par 4, I'd be thinking I need to hit a longer club on my second shot to get as near the green as possible.
bobmac
Major Champion
Why would you not hit the longer club for your 2nd shot if the hole was a par 5?
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Because my long irons are crap!
Ha ha. I have picked up on this mornings back and forth and smiled. I could see where Bob was going and your answers would be similar to mine. This one was the cherry on the cake.
Pushing your long iron / rescue because it is on or beyond your limit is when things collapse. Relax, take 2 x mid iron and the result will be much better. Some times, us high h/c have to just suck it up and take the shots on offer.
bobmac
Major Champion
The point I was trying to get to and to answer the OP is the par of the hole/course has no affect on your medal score whatsoever.
Your handicap is based on the CSS not par and to alter the way you play a hole dependant on what the par is is just daft and limiting your potential score.
Of course there are times when you have to play safe or lay up but that should be determined by the situation not the par of the hole.
If you are off 20 and you shoot 90 and the CSS is 70, you've played to your h/cap irrespective of if the par is 69,70 or 71
Play every shot/hole the best you can no matter what the par is.
Your handicap is based on the CSS not par and to alter the way you play a hole dependant on what the par is is just daft and limiting your potential score.
Of course there are times when you have to play safe or lay up but that should be determined by the situation not the par of the hole.
If you are off 20 and you shoot 90 and the CSS is 70, you've played to your h/cap irrespective of if the par is 69,70 or 71
Play every shot/hole the best you can no matter what the par is.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
If I am honest I tend to do so on our very difficult par 4 SI 2 second (and it should be SI 1 but in wrong place on the course). Yes of course I'm always looking to see if I can get a 4 and I know that if all goes well that I can - but as I have too many 7s, 8s and even a 9 I'll take a 5 nett 4 all day long.
