Playing It Safe

[RGDave]

I'm enjoying this thread, even though I can't work out for the life of me what most of it is about!

I don't suffer with the O.P. problem of hitting a rubbish shot after opting to play safe. Can't explain why but once trouble is eliminated from my mind I tend to hit far better, not just as bad or worse.

I use a 4 iron off some tees (especially white) and can't remember hitting a real duffer. If a hole is ultra-tight I'll use this club NOT a 5 wood or hybrid, as I know there is still a % risk.

Once I've convinced myself nothing can go wrong, it doesn't. Maybe I'm just lucky in this respect....or maybe as I've already taken a bogey in my head, it doesn't really matter where it goes, as long as it's on the course.

It's got to be in the mind.....unless you are an uber-hacker!

 

[Losttheplot]

From reading the thread I think 'playing it safe' has slightly different meanings to everyone.
I don't think it's playing it safe, I think it's just course management. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses and managing your way around the course is essential. If you struggle with your driver but hit a hybrid excellent then course management dictates to play the hybrid and plan the hole from there.

 

[kid2]

Iv been reading the replies to this thread with a little amusement....As a high handicapper lately im developing a bit of a habit for thinking outside the box ...I want more from my game and i know i have it...Iv just got to unlock it......
This is part due to good advice from some here on the forum(they know who they are) .....
But one thing that really stuck with me was look at where the trouble is and aim away from it.....Its an easy habit to have.....OOB down the left aim right and tee on the left of the tee box....Also take the club that you have most confidence with for the shot.....Lots on here crib about being wayward with the driver ......Then why use it.....Confidence plays a big part in this....Hit a wood or even a rescue if it gets you on the short stuff...Iv dropped the driver from my bag completely....Now im more confident standing on the first tee on a sunday knowing that i can put my ball where i want it......
If you stand on the first tee of any course on a sunday morning medal ill bet alot will be surprised to see that 8-9 out of ten players will take driver out.....Obviously not if its a par 3 .......Its a pride thing with lots of golfers.....If more swallowed pride more handicaps would tumble would be my bet...

Drivers can be as forgiving as a priest at confession but whats the point of all that forgivness if your aiming at the cabbage, or your swing path is arseways, or you suffer from a big hook or slice. This club will just maximise the problem....

 

[JustOne]

Or the fact rather than "turbo mode" you relax, forget the eleventy billion swing thoughts....

Homer has more than that mate!

I always play safe. Driver is my safe club

 

[jammydodger]

But one thing that really stuck with me was look at where the trouble is and aim away from it

Not necessarily true , I bet theres a few on here (myself inlcuded) who deliberately aim at or over the trouble. I often take a line outside OOB or over cabbage. If you know which way youre trying to move the ball and are comfortable doing it then 'trouble' is only 'trouble' if you land in it

 

[bobmac]

Not necessarily true , I bet theres a few on here (myself inlcuded) who deliberately aim at or over the trouble. I often take a line outside OOB or over cabbage. If you know which way youre trying to move the ball and are comfortable doing it then 'trouble' is only 'trouble' if you land in it

Until you hit the double cross

 

[HawkeyeMS]

... lately im developing a bit of a habit for thinking outside the box

It's not thinking outside the box it's course\game management, everyone should do it but some are better than others.

Reading all the replies it has become apparent that course management or playing safe or whatever you want to call it is an individual thing and depends very much on your own game. I don't have a "safe" club, I have a set of clubs all of which I have total confidence in, in fact, whenever I've had a club that I don't hit the same as the others, I change it, I want consistency and I want to know that whichever club I need for a particular shot I have confidence with.

I guess that's why I don't consider changing club from driver to hybrid or 3-iron as playing safe unless there's a reason to do so. If I've got water at 180 yards, I'll probably hit Driver and carry it, if it's at 230 I'll hit 3-iron. If my driver gets me the result I want and there is no more risk hitting driver than 3-iron, I'll hit Driver. That doesn't mean I hit Driver on every hole, I just hit it when it is the right club for the job.

Playing safe to me means not hitting a shot at trouble if my normal shot (not a bad shot) with my chosen club is likely to end up in that trouble. As far as I'm concerned if the only way I can get in trouble is by hitting a bad shot, then its not in play. I don't often evaluate the shot based on what happens if I hit a bad one as that's a negative thought I don't want negative thoughts. But then I've come to that conclusion through years of being me and understanding my game. Everyone is different and you have to do what is right for you to get the ball round in as fewer shots as possible

 

[Smiffy]

If I've got water at 180 yards, I'll probably hit Driver and carry it, if it's at 230 I'll hit 3-iron.

You tart.
Regards
Jacques Cousteau