Single stat players - advice please ??

[Macster]

Following on from my post about my Stats on HowDidiDo, and seeing it in black & white that I am averaging nearly 25% Double Bogey's over all of my competetive rounds in the last 2yrs, it seems clear to me that this improving this is perhaps the easiest way of reducing my Handicap further....

But, what concerns me is this, does taking a 4 wood instead of Driver on a long Par4 hole, and then perhaps a 5 iron down the fairway, leaving a short chip to the green, and a safe 2 putt or possible 1 putt, - does this cautious approach risk permeating into your overall thinking, and affect your game overall ?
Or is it simply the best path to better course management and lower scores ?

We have 4 tough par4's, welll over 400yds off the Whites, and over the 21 Competition rounds stored on HDID, I have double bogeyed all of these more than I have Par'd or bogey'd them.

My Par & Bogey stats are better than the average against all other Cat2 players at my course, but these Double's (or worse) stats are obviously costing me dearly.

Seems a more conservative approach to playing them is accepting that I arent perhaps gonna hit the green's in 2, but leaving myself with easy chip & run-in's, hopefully close to the Pin, and accepting the 2 putts or occasional single putts ?

It seems to me that the horns come out on these Tee's in Medal play, and I envisage launching that huge drive down the middle, and a mid iron in, when in reality what I actually do is just leave myself in bother and then scramble to even get a point !!!

Any advice plz ?

 

[Imurg]

Not a single figure guy but it strikes me that if you treat these par 4's as par 5's and get down in 5 then you should save yourself a couple of shots most rounds.
there is a hole on the course I used to be a member at that I would love to walk off with a par 4 but would never be unhappy with a 5.
If you're doubling them more often than not, treat them as 5's and see what happens.

 

[mikeyh]

Recognise the holes on your course where you have the most double bogeys and address those. I have been trying to concentrate on a similar thing. I know we have 2 very long par 4s which tend to play into the wind. I decided to play these as a 5. I used the mind set of "if i can put the ball in range of a chip and put then i am happy". I know i can make up these shots on easier holes later in the round. If you par them, bonus, if not then a bogey is no big deal. Its not negative golf, just sensible. I have always been an attacking type of golfer, going for the impossible shot, but have realised this is not always the best way.

 

[jammydodger]

Taking a cautious approach could backfire though cos if you dont get that 4-wood away nicely every time then youre in the cack and still a long way back.

Is it your drives that are putting you in trouble or is it that go for broke 2nd shot that youre trying to nail ?? Could still be a nice easily swung driver and a nice comfortable mid iron short of trouble and then rely on your chipping/pitching skills.

Sometimes I take a 4 iron for safety and tug it left and then it's a really tough recovery shot thats needed whereas a long drive into semi doesnt leave that hard a recovery if youre only looking for a bogey

 

[freddielong]

Playing a safer option does not have to mean that you are being negative just like there is nothing positive in makeing a holywood double bogey. And now as the summer is coming and you may find that a 4 wood down the fairway goes as far as a driver into the rough.

There is definitely nothing wrong with playing a hole to get the best number and I am sure you will find you make a lot more pars this way.

Hope it works for you

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Do you know your stats for:

Fairways hit %
GIR %
Putts per green hit in reg'
Putts per round
Birdie conversion %
Sand saves %
Par scrambles %

They are the key stats, if you know them it may answer your question as to how to avoid double bogeys.
ie, hit more fairways, or more greens, or hole more putts.

Do you know where you miss fairways & greens ?

Maybe you keep aiming right & under clubbing etc etc etc

If you know your stats thats the first step towards putting them right!

 

[bobmac]

Why a 4 wood, why not a hybrid? (sorry freddie)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't think not going for them is a negative issue. Look at last years Masters. The winner didn't take on any of the par 5's in two all week but made par or birdie at most. You have a shot on these holes so effectively the card is telling you its a par 5 anyway for your standard.

I don't accept the comment that its a risk and placing added pressure to get the 4 wood away or you leave yourself miles back in the rubbish. Worse case scenario, you hit a bad shot left or right into the rough and have a bad lie. The 4 wood has gone say 180 yards (with the slice) and you are forced to hack a wedge out say another 40 yards. You still have a shot at the green with a wood or long iron and failing that a chip and a putt for bogey. Even if you walk off with a double on one hole and make up shots on the others you are ahead of the game.

My only word of caution would be to get into a mindset of always playing the hole in a defensive manner. If you are swinging well or the hole is downwind, it is probably a better play to attack with the driver and go for the green. If you are hitting well and suddenly try and go defensive the chances are you'll sub-consciously tighten up or try and steer the ball and probably hit a poorer drive.

 

[freddielong]

Why a 4 wood, why not a hybrid? (sorry freddie)

I'm never going to live that one down am I LOL

Anyhow my new attitude is everyone can play what they want Embrace and Enjoy

 

[Robobum]

Try to ignore the par number that it gives on the score card Chris. You've still got to get the ball in the hole in as few a shots as possible.

I've given you some stick about your 250yd 5 wood before, but seriously, even if it goes 220yds or 210yds then that is the majority of par 4s covered in 2 hits. If you do bang a 5 wood out there at 250yds then that just leaves 200yds to go.......smooth 8iron??

 

[KeefG]

Why a 4 wood, why not a hybrid? (sorry freddie)

I'm never going to live that one down am I LOL

Anyhow my new attitude is everyone can play what they want Embrace and Enjoy

Apart from chippers which are just plain wrong!

 

[freddielong]

Why a 4 wood, why not a hybrid? (sorry freddie)

I'm never going to live that one down am I LOL

Anyhow my new attitude is everyone can play what they want Embrace and Enjoy

Apart from chippers which are just plain wrong!

That goes without saying chippers and slippery frogs are the Devils work

 

[Macster]

Thx fella's - new cautious strategy me thinks for these tricky holes perhaps.

Bob- 4 wood because apart from my Driver, thats all I carry wood-wise.
Until last week, it was a 5W, but I found exactly the same vintage WarBird 4Wood with same Steel shaft etc, and so far, its proving as reliable as the 5 was, just a smidge longer which is a big help on some of our holes.

Considering its age, and steel shaft etc, they go brilliantly for me, I dunno why.
Robobum has given me some stick for its supposed length, but in all honesty, it does go a mile for me.
Case in point - 350yd 1st at our place, - 4 Wood ..... 3/4 wedge.

Problem 10th - 450yd Par 4. - last Saturday.......4 wood, 4 iron - but into the bunker !!
They just seem to work for me.

Sure, if I could get this luvverly Brand new 909D2 performing reliably like I know it can, it would help enormously, but until then......

Early days back after some knee surgery, so maybe my Driving problems are just a blip, but one thing's for sure, my Double Bogey stats over the last 24mths certainly arent a 'blip' !!

 

[freddielong]

Thx fella's - new cautious strategy me thinks for these tricky holes perhaps.

Bob- 4 wood because apart from my Driver, thats all I carry wood-wise.
Until last week, it was a 5W, but I found exactly the same vintage WarBird 4Wood with same Steel shaft etc, and so far, its proving as reliable as the 5 was, just a smidge longer which is a big help on some of our holes.

Considering its age, and steel shaft etc, they go brilliantly for me, I dunno why.
Robobum has given me some stick for its supposed length, but in all honesty, it does go a mile for me.
Case in point - 350yd 1st at our place, - 4 Wood ..... 3/4 wedge.

Problem 10th - 450yd Par 4. - last Saturday.......4 wood, 4 iron - but into the bunker !!
They just seem to work for me.

Sure, if I could get this luvverly Brand new 909D2 performing reliably like I know it can, it would help enormously, but until then......

Early days back after some knee surgery, so maybe my Driving problems are just a blip, but one thing's for sure, my Double Bogey stats over the last 24mths certainly arent a 'blip' !!

You will find that the steel shaft will be shorter and heavier giving you a bit more control

 

[Macster]

Actually, it begs the question.......maybe I should get the Driver in a WarBird too ?!?!

 

[Robobum]

Actually, it begs the question.......maybe I should get the Driver in a WarBird too ?!?!

That's a really valid point Chris. As much as the 909 looks the dog's it just might not be suitable for you.

I am a little sceptical of fittings at places that can only offer you one manufacturer. I have no doubt that the Titleist fitting you had was spot on, but, if you aren't suited to that shape of head etc then the combo that you are fitted with is just the best that can be offered from that manufacturer.

I'd give a Warbird with a steel in it a go Chris, I'm sure it's not going to be an expensive mistake even if it is wrong.