question for good golfers

[jdchelsea]

Ok course management question for good players.

If on any par 4 your drive, whatever length you hit it, will leave you an approach shot to the green which is less than a full shot do you still reach for driver?

I'm talking approaches of around 30-70 yards for me. Also assume your driving the ball well and it doesn't bring any extra risk. There's also no chance of reaching the green.

Basically do you drive to get as close as possible or do you only hit tee shots that leave an approach of a certain length or above. I'd be interested in these lay up distances people go for if they do employ the put the driver away strategy.

 

[Bomber69]

Lay up to about 100 yards

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Probably not low enough to fully qualify but I guess it depends how strong you are with wedges and playing finesse shots. I guess if the landing area short (3 wood distance) is clear with no bunkers that a driver would clear then it could be the percentage play to leave a longer shot. Horses for courses I guess and depends on variables like if the greens are holding and not hugely contoured, wind conditions etc.

 

[Imurg]

We have a par 4 that's 341 yards from the back tee.
If I hit a driver - it needs to be a good one, I can be left with a lob wedge or less. If it's less then there's a chance I'll mess it up and still end up taking 4.
Often I'll use 3 wood and try to leave a 9 iron/wedge in.
If I can get to within 20 yards then I might hit the driver but if I'm not going to get nearer than that then I can't see the point. Leave a full shot rather than a 3/4, 5/8 or whatever.....

 

[Foxholer]

Around 80 to 100 yds, I have a large number of options. So somthing that will get me to there would be better than to 50yds.

That said, if there are no hazards except greenside bunkers, there's no deterent to having a go at the green.

 

[JustOne]

Driver. the only reason not to is if you might find a hazard off the tee (eg fairway bunker) so lay up with a 3-wood.

 

[Hobbit]

I look at the hole as tho' I was playing it green to tee, i.e. from the green where do I need to be to hit 'x' on the green. If its an easy shot into the front of the green and to the flag I'll blast it as far down as it will go. If the pin is a tight target I'll lay back a bit giving me a full shot in and more chance of stopping it. For me its more to do with where the flag is not the actual length.

 

[bigslice]

im not a good golfer but i defo lay up try and get my 100 yards(50 degree) or 140 (9iron) 150 (8 iron).

 

[rosecott]

Ok course management question for good players.

If on any par 4 your drive, whatever length you hit it, will leave you an approach shot to the green which is less than a full shot do you still reach for driver?

I'm talking approaches of around 30-70 yards for me. Also assume your driving the ball well and it doesn't bring any extra risk. There's also no chance of reaching the green.

Basically do you drive to get as close as possible or do you only hit tee shots that leave an approach of a certain length or above. I'd be interested in these lay up distances people go for if they do employ the put the driver away strategy.

Excuse me, maybe I've misunderstood. You're off 17 and you expect to get within 30-70 yards of the green on any par 4 (up to 500 yards). Sorry, I must have misread or misunderstood, must stop drinking while watching footie.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

A lot depends on the approach to the green and the pin position. If it's a front flag with nowhere to land it short then I prefer to lay up so that I can hit a full wedge that will land and stop quickly. There are really only 2 holes on my course that fall into this category.

 

[fundy]

Weakest part of my game is inside 100 yards, far better from 100 yards than say 55 yards so I rarely leave myself inside 100 unless I can get very close to the green. Round my home course on the 14 non par 3s in a normal round I hit something like 3 drivers, 4 3-woods, 4 hybrids, a 4 iron, a 5 iron and a 7 iron off the tee, so a complete mix bag for me, partly based on the danger off the tee and partly because in many spots I dont want to get too close to the green

 

[jdchelsea]

Probably not low enough to fully qualify but I guess it depends how strong you are with wedges and playing finesse shots. I guess if the landing area short (3 wood distance) is clear with no bunkers that a driver would clear then it could be the percentage play to leave a longer shot. Horses for courses I guess and depends on variables like if the greens are holding and not hugely contoured, wind conditions etc.

Probably shouldn't have said good players but instead players with good course management. I've been doing this recently and was curious if it was good course management. Thanks

 

[Imurg]

Round my home course on the 14 non par 3s in a normal round I hit something like 3 drivers, 4 3-woods, 4 hybrids, a 4 iron, a 5 iron and a 7 iron off the tee, so a complete mix bag for me,

Which one do hit 7 iron from Steve?

 

[jdchelsea]

Weakest part of my game is inside 100 yards, far better from 100 yards than say 55 yards so I rarely leave myself inside 100 unless I can get very close to the green. Round my home course on the 14 non par 3s in a normal round I hit something like 3 drivers, 4 3-woods, 4 hybrids, a 4 iron, a 5 iron and a 7 iron off the tee, so a complete mix bag for me, partly based on the danger off the tee and partly because in many spots I dont want to get too close to the green

This is exactly the same as myself. I really struggle with these less than full wedges.

 

[fundy]

Which one do hit 7 iron from Steve?

16th Ian, though I have hit as little as wedge off that tee (in a medal downwind last summer I hit wedge wedge lol) and can hit as much as 4 iron if into the breeze. Really dont like being aggressive off that tee, doesnt set up to my eye and if you come up 30 or 40 yards short its not the easiest of pitches up the hill from what is often a very bare slopy lie

 

[Imurg]

Surely a Man of your calibre can knock a 3 wood onto that green.......

Fair play, I think I use a 4 or 5 when I play it.....

 

[fundy]

I have been on it with a 3 wood Ive also been OOB left and dead in the hedge right too lol, really doesnt set up well to my eye, much prefer having a lick at 4 or 7 of the short ones

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Surely a Man of your calibre can knock a 3 wood onto that green.......

Fair play, I think I use a 4 or 5 when I play it.....

C'mon boys, play fair!! A description of the hole please???

 

[CMAC]

any par 4 under 350 yds and I use Iron off the tee to (hopefully) ensure a putt for birdie...

Driver could run up a bogie or worse and if the greens not on then whats the point

 

[Imurg]

C'mon boys, play fair!! A description of the hole please???

From memory about 310 across a valley. OB and ditch up the left, bushes/trees up the right. Quite wide, but narrows towards the green. Ditch/hedge beyond the green.
Bunker back left and front right(?)
Does taht sound right Steve?