Percentage Golf.

[Herbie]

Inspired by another thread, do you think it a good idea to have tips on percentage golf, giving not just overall views but actual scenarios that may help golfers with choices in golf situations?

If so lets just carry on...............

 

[HomerJSimpson]

In the rough off the tee where the grass is growing against the direction of play. Most people see that it is sitting up a bit but do not take into account the direction of the grass. They take a swing thinking they will make reasonable distance. Grass grabs club (usually a long one like a hybrid or 5 wood) and the ball normally scuttles along the ground not clearing said rough or hooks or slices as the club is distorted through impact. Always check which direction the grass is growing and if it is against grip harder and take more loft.

 

[haplesshacker]

Not wanting to steal anyones thunder, as these were given to me by fellow forumers.

Please bear in mind what I'm trying to achieve on the course (sub 100s).

Play each hole as a par 5, and you'll get lucky on some, and still have shots in hand.

Leave the big stick in the bag / car / home. Keep the ball in play, and out of the rough stuff.

Play 2 good iron shots, rather than risking some low percentage fairway / rescue iron shot.

Note to self. Try not to forget this tomorrow!!

Nice thread.

 

[Imurg]

Just because you're in a bunker, don't automatically assume that you should play your next shot at the pin. If your ball has just trickled into the bunker, the back lip may hinder your swing. Consider playing backwards or sideways to leave a chip rather than blast away taking 2 or 3 to get out. And the number 1 rule with bunkers - make sure you get the ball out. Out and 30 feet from the flag is better than still in the bunker.

 

[USER1999]

Percentage golf = dull.

Where is the fun?

Isn't golf meant to be fun?

It isn't work afterall.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have to disagree about percentage golf being dull. Where is the fun in playing every shot from the cabbage because of a cavalier attitiude off the tee. I find it much more fun to play as few shots as possible and to play as close to par as I can. I get more enjoyment from thinking my way round a course than blasting it and looking for it.

 

[Herbie]

When in the trees with several paths to choose but no shot to the green,always choose the easiest even if its to go backwards....not like myself who always goes for it no matter what!

 

[USER1999]

I go for everything, it is fun. Golf is meant to be fun. I don't make a living from it, so why not. Yes, may be conservative play would get my hadicap down, but then I might shoot the same score every time. That would be boring. I could play a 5i off every tee, and be so consistent. Dull, dull, dull.

 

[Herbie]

I go for everything, it is fun. Golf is meant to be fun. I don't make a living from it, so why not. Yes, may be conservative play would get my hadicap down, but then I might shoot the same score every time. That would be boring. I could play a 5i off every tee, and be so consistent. Dull, dull, dull.

I cant see why you cant see the fun of tactics and recovering from a potential disaster with a par by taking that % shot now and then all aspects of golf are fun, do you lob or choose pitch and run? If the latter then you play % golf.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm not knocking the way you play and it must be great when you take a shot on and it comes off just as you planned it. However for me there is more frustration and anger attached to playing a risky shot that doesn't comes off and turns an at worse bogey into a double or worse.

For me, the skill is playing a shot when I'm in trouble that gets me into a position to salvage a par and I get more satisfaction from scrambling a par from a bad tee shot than playing the hole with a good drive, hitting the green in regulation and two putting.

 

[Herbie]

I agree Homer, Im sort of in between camps as I generally go for it but there are always occasions where a % shot is required even by a wildcard like me, and a successful outcome using % golf is as satisfying as anything in my book, Ive had enough cock-ups to know

 

[rookie]

Tiger Woods dosnt play percentage Golf . . . .

 

[Smiffy]

How many times do you hear somebody say they played their first five club competition and scored the best round they had in ages? Because they have been "forced" into playing percentage golf and have had to think their way around the course rather than grabbing the club that will hit it the furthest every time.
Got to be some sense in that?

 

[andiritchie]

Only take the driver off the tee if there is room for your miss.

Only take par 5s on in to when on the best side of the fairway

If playing badly off the tee just hit at the 150 markers

When iam not scoring i do take everything on and lose at least 3 balls in the process,good fun though some days i could have 3 eagle chances

 

[backwoodsman]

If you think you can get it between the two trees, you can't...

There's a bit of merit in both sides of the argument. Sometimes you do have to take a risk and it's a good feeling if it comes off. But there has to be a reasonable chance of it coming off and most of us try something truly idiotic - but never realise how much so until too late afterwards. Which is when the gentle sideways hack is the best course.

As to Tiger - maybe he <u>does</u> play percentage. After all his skill is such that he has a higher chance of hitting a gnat's goolies at a hundred paces than I do of hitting a barn door at ten

 

[Imurg]

Tiger Woods dosnt play percentage Golf . . . .

I think you'll find he probably does!

How often did he use the driver at Hoylake a couple of years ago? He played irons off every tee to keep the ball in play even if it left him a long approach. The "Go for it" guys took drivers and 3 woods and Tiger slaughtered them.

If he thinks he can make the shot then he'll play it, if he's not comfortable with it he wont. If a pro takes a cavalier attitude to golf he wont make much money.

As far as we're concerned, don't we want to get round the course in as few shots as possible? Taking on a near impossible shot for fun means more chance of losing you ball and ruining your score. Sure you may make it 1 time out of 10 but what's the point. Unless you're dormie 3 down and your opponent is on the green so you've got to go for it surely the percentage play is going to get you a better score.

 

[Denboy]

Depends what the competition is eg match play use percentage golf if you're in a postition to do so . in stableford why not go for it unless it's stupid ?
I would hate to play without my driver which I use on every hole where where possible.

 

[Canfordhacker]

as ever I think there are two sides to this, and that just emphasises that you should be thinking all options out as you approach your ball, narrow it down and make the choice according to ALL factors when you get there. Scoring and fun are two big factors that may be weighted differently in different people's minds. Personally I try to manage the course effectively, but sometimes testosterone gets the better of me...

 

[SammmeBee]

If you're gonna miss - make sure you miss in the 'right' place....

 

[Herbie]

Imurg stole my thunder regarding Tiger, good point!

Every golfer plays % golf though many dont know that they are doing it at all. The moment you debate in your mind what to hit and how, is a variation of % golf of the individual.

Choosing pitch and run over lob shot (or visaversa)is % golf of an individual. Hitting to trickle as close to the hole as possible with a downhill putt to avoid costly over-run rather than trying to sink it is % golf.

Anyway, another tip...Bunkers! When in a bunker accept a lost stroke as this helps with frame of mind if you suffer from lack of confidence or limited skill in bunkers, make sure you swing right through and get the ball out no matter where (excepting another bunker or pond) as shots can be lost by the packet following the first failed attempt.