duncan mackie
Money List Winner
So back to the original issue........How do you play a bump and run to a small green with a pond between you and the hole when your 40 yards out. And even a 60degree doesn't stop on it. If its short your in the water, if its long you roll off the back oob. The green slopes towards you but still wont hold, seen very low hcappers struggle to hold it, so me off 21 how should I approach it...
Some have said course management.........At my level that can only help so much I still duff and slice/hook shots now and then and am always looking to improve...........
as some have indicated, it is course management - because course management is only about going forwards anyway! the keys to CM include -
1. accept where you are and accept the limitations that this brings
2. consider the alternatives honestly
3. commit to your chosen solution completely; it doesn't really matter if it's the wrong choice until after the event, but it matters a lot if you don't commit to it because you won't perform!
in this particular case
1. I've put myself in a difficult situation to play my natural shot. If I play that shot comfortably clear of the bunker it's probably going 30ft past the hole.
2. I could try a Phil M soft flop, I could try and get extra super spin on the shot, I could pitch it exactly 2ft over the bunker with one bounce into the fringe, two bounces there and it should just roll up to the hole.... or I can land it on the fringe and accept that it will probably end up 30' past (do I need to adjust my line in case 30' isn't available?)
3. OK, I'm not Phil so the full swing semi fat solf flop is out, I'm not Sergio or Seve so let's leave that option alone - I have 50ft behind the flag, so playing it normally and within my comfort zone is fine; just going to have a long putt back (but at least I get to see the break and get a read on the slope/speed as the ball rolls over there. Now, (whatever your positive swing thought is for such shots eg hands leading the clubhead and accelerate through the ball....) and perform.
Note, if it goes in the bunker, or you thin it through the green, and your first thought is 'I knew that was going to happen' you have failed in 2 or 3 above or should have putted round the bunker in the first place!