The great drive for dough putt for show debate thread.

[Deleted member 25575]

My personal anecdotes are based around the fact that I'm not sure where average, amateur club golfers are supposed to find this extra distance that would significantly reduce their handicaps. It's not like I'm making a conscious choice not to stripe every drive 300 yards.

That’s a very different debate, the gains can be made but not easily, and many I imagine won’t want to put in the work, be that speed sticks or gym or whatnot; some physically may not actually be able to

 

[bobmac]

That’s a very different debate, the gains can be made but not easily, and many I imagine won’t want to put in the work, be that speed sticks or gym or whatnot; some physically may not actually be able to

Precisely. But there are people who will say it's the only way to get your h/cap down by a substantial amount is by increasing your speed with strength and power

 

[Deleted member 29109]

Precisely. But there are people who will say it's the only way to get your h/cap down by a substantial amount is by increasing your speed with strength and power

I don’t recall seeing anyone say it’s the only way

 

[Voyager EMH]

"I can't hit it like Jack and Arnie, but I can putt."

Said the man who went on to win 9 majors - the 9th was his third Masters at age 42 with 7 birdies over the final 10 holes.
Won 5 World Matchplay titles as well. Rarely was he outdriving his opponents.

 

[bobmac]

I don’t recall seeing anyone say it’s the only way

Let me remind you

Meaning the long game is the only way to make big strides from mid hc to elite.

 

[Deleted member 29109]

Let me remind you

We’ll that’s clearly wrong.

But that said, you won’t play elite level golf tapping it round.

 

[Springveldt]

Whats the difference between average 242 yards and Performance average 270..?

And don't say 28 yards

From my understanding, your average is all your shots including skies, tops, pulls into trees at 100 yards etc while the performance average removes those and is saying “of the ones you hit one down the middle this is how far we expect it to go on average”.

That’s why I was saying to @r0wly86 that if he is averaging 280-300 then he’s in the top 1% of all golfers. There’s probably 2 guys at my club that average that distance and both were +3 last season. When I played with them they were hitting driver and then 9 iron into a 515 yard par 5 and one of them hit driver then 52 wedge into a 460 par 4 (both with a 10 mph wind behind)

 

[bobmac]

We’ll that’s clearly wrong.

But that said, you won’t play elite level golf tapping it round.

I know it's wrong, try telling him that.

 

[Backsticks]

Mid handicap 15, elite, scratch or better.
How else would you suggest that gap be bridged ? There arent 15 shots to gain in chipping and putting...

 

[Voyager EMH]

Many who enjoy playing golf will have a natural limitation with regard to physical strength and coordination to achieve single figure handicap standard long game.
The vast, vast majority never get to single figures.
Those limitations do not apply to putting to the same degree.
Single figure handicap standard putting is far more likely and easier to be achieved, if a 20+ handicapper really set his mind to it.
Attempting to achieve both is desirable, but the short game is greatly overlooked by amateurs who wish to improve.
2 hours of putting and chipping practice is far less tiring than slogging away on the range, yet I rarely see amateurs putting in the necessary time to improve their short game.

 

[bobmac]

There arent 15 shots to gain in chipping and putting...

Where did I say there was?
I'm suggesting that a general improvement in all departments is needed, whereas you said ''the long game was the only way''

 

[Backsticks]

Where did I say there was?
I'm suggesting that a general improvement in all departments is needed, whereas you said ''the long game was the only way''

Yes, its the only way to get from 15 to scratch or better, as in my post you quoted. The mid handicapper can imprive his chipping and putting, but he is unlikely to even break into single figures.

 

[bobmac]

2 hours of putting and chipping practice is far less tiring than slogging away on the range, yet I rarely see amateurs putting in the necessary time to improve their short game.

And you don't need as much room

 

[bobmac]

Yes, its the only way to get from 15 to scratch or better, as in my post you quoted. The mid handicapper can imprive his chipping and putting, but he is unlikely to even break into single figures.

What part of 'all departments' don't you understand?

 

[Deleted member 29109]

Many who enjoy playing golf will have a natural limitation with regard to physical strength and coordination to achieve single figure handicap standard long game.
The vast, vast majority never get to single figures.
Those limitations do not apply to putting to the same degree.
Single figure handicap standard putting is far more likely and easier to be achieved, if a 20+ handicapper really set his mind to it.
Attempting to achieve both is desirable, but the short game is greatly overlooked by amateurs who wish to improve.
2 hours of putting and chipping practice is far less tiring than slogging away on the range, yet I rarely see amateurs putting in the necessary time to improve their short game.

Having scratch level chipping and putting ability won’t get you to single figures if you have the long game of a 20+ player.

 

[bobmac]

Having scratch level chipping and putting ability won’t get you to single figures if you have the long game of a 20+ player.

And if you have a scratch level long game and a 20+ short game?

All departments are required to be of a high standard to be scratch....long game, short game and medium.

 

[Backsticks]

And if you have a scratch level long game and a 20+ short game?

All departments are required to be of a high standard to be scratch....long game, short game and medium.

You will be single figures in that scenario.

 

[clubchamp98]

And if you have a scratch level long game and a 20+ short game?

All departments are required to be of a high standard to be scratch....long game, short game and medium.

Totally agree.
I have also seen a few very good players ruin their swing/ game trying to get more length.
It has taken them months to get back to where they were.

 

[Bdill93]

"I can't hit it like Jack and Arnie, but I can putt."

Said the man who went on to win 9 majors - the 9th was his third Masters at age 42 with 7 birdies over the final 10 holes.
Won 5 World Matchplay titles as well. Rarely was he outdriving his opponents.

Handicap golf and pro golf are very different beasts.

He was still hitting it far longer than an average club player.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Having scratch level chipping and putting ability won’t get you to single figures if you have the long game of a 20+ player.

I never said it would.
I said single figure STANDARD putting is easier to ACHIEVE for a 20+ handicapper than single figure STANDARD long game.

The player who will never achieve single figure handicap (the vast majority of amateurs) could have a reasonable chance of achieving single figure STANDARD putting.