The Great Stableford Experiment

[Tiger]

...or to give it's full and accurate title "the not particularly great or scientifically robust, but hopefully entertaining and possibly enlightening, conservative strategy vs reckless bravado, stableford scoring golf experiment"!

Following the recent thread on stableford scoring I have decided to offer up my weekend round to the conduct of an important golf experiment. Can a high handicapper significantly improve their scores in stableford by adopting a more cautious approach?

Methodology
Every experiment needs a method, this is mine. There are some shots I would play anyway. The aim of this experiment is to identify the impact of those moments when you may choose against laying up and going for the green for example. As a result it is only in those moments when I am genuinely tempted to 'go for it' that the 2nd ball comes into play.

I will note my stableford score for each ball when I make those choices. In situations when I play a second ball I will always play the sensible shot first. This will ensure that the experiment is based on rationale shot choice as opposed to retrospective regret.

Where I do not have a clear line of sight I am required to play a sensible shot back into play.

Results will be published here and on the blog. May the best ball win!

 

[thecraw]

Sounds far too technical and scientific for my pea brain!

I suggest you play the shot your confident with, that way you get the best result????

 

[Smiffy]

If I add the two scores together I might win on Sunday

 

[Tiger]

Sounds far too technical and scientific for my pea brain!

I suggest you play the shot your confident with, that way you get the best result????

Agh but Craw I suffer from misplaced confidence. Sometimes I get away with it.

Anyway it will hopefully make playing on my Todd a bit more interesting.

 

[Tiger]

If I add the two scores together I might win on Sunday

Harsh but fair

Right change of plan crawford and smiffy are right. Big hairy macho balls = my best ever score 99. Fair few dodgy decisions in that score. I will play conservative and try and beat it

 

[MashieNiblick]

I reckon that's better. I was going to say that with the "play safe then play a second ball and go for it" approach you couldn't be sure that your shot with the second ball wasn't subconsciously affected by the fact that you had just played safe. I.e. you might be more relaxed and hit the next one out of the screws or you might not care so much, and knock it into the deep doo-doo. Playing just the one ball safe and trying to beat your best score keeps it simpler.

Will be interesting to hear the results.

 

[Tiger]

Yeah that's what I was thinking here's hoping...

 

[GB72]

My view is just go for it. Medal rounds are for the considered approach, anything else is where the glory shots come out. Got to have some fun, mad shot rounds to keep it interesting.

 

[Imurg]

Play it like a Medal.
But as in a previous thread, if you've got a 10 footer for a point then don't leave it short!
Use your shots. A par 4 with 2 shots on it becomes a par 6 - 7 for 1 point.
Play staedy and smooth - you know it makes sense.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Just don't get too focussed on the experiment per se and forget to actually play the shots with freedom and thought

 

[Region3]

It'll be interesting as an experiment, but to see the full benefits I think you need a good caddie or low handicap player calling the shots for you.

I know you have no choice as you're on your own, I'm just saying.

 

[brendy]

Tiger, keep thinking like this and you will shoot 110.
Some holes are genuine lay up holes, others are long wide open holes. Dont worry about it so much, in fact make out a strategy now, ie what you want to do off each tee, forget the rest, you cant plan for 50 yard tops and out of the screws drives.
Remember you are not a pro, every swing will be different. Hitting two shots gives you more chance of success (and failure) so means nothing, golf isnt about second chances, mulligans or hindsight. Go out and enjoy the highs and curse the lows, we all do.

 

[Tiger]

It'll be interesting as an experiment, but to see the full benefits I think you need a good caddie or low handicap player calling the shots for you.

I know you have no choice as you're on your own, I'm just saying.

Anyone free and interested

At the end of the day it's just a but of fun following on from the Tommy Armor story. Im playing in my first stableford comp next month and I've never scored 36 points+.

There's a poll on my blog that reflects this with current guesses in the mid 20's. When I'm out with mates I am just enjoying playing at the moment but seeing as I'm on my own thought I'd try something new. That said playing just one ball was a great shout.

The main end product for me is to start challenging my on course thinking. Can you really clear that bunker, shouldn't you just take your medicine here, don't go for the green in two you fool!

Seeing as I've only broken 100 (just) once and am still relying on my shot choice it's a tall order. So all in all hopefully great preparation for next month and, more importantly, the next time I'm playing my mates for a couple of quid

 

[Tiger]

Tiger, keep thinking like this and you will shoot 110.
Some holes are genuine lay up holes, others are long wide open holes. Dont worry about it so much, in fact make out a strategy now, ie what you want to do off each tee, forget the rest, you cant plan for 50 yard tops and out of the screw drives

Don't worry Brendy I have a pretty standard tee shot strategy that I generally follow (weather dependent). Holes that are tight or with OoB right I play hybrid, open holes with less danger I play 3 wood, one hole with water on the left and OoB on the right I lay up with a 7 iron. The problem I have is that sometimes when I'm in trouble rather than playing out sideways I'll try and play the hero shot. Hoping to get rid of that mentality and use my handicap more intelligently. Hope this makes sense.

 

[Smiffy]

My view is just go for it. Medal rounds are for the considered approach, anything else is where the glory shots come out. Got to have some fun, mad shot rounds to keep it interesting.

I do tend to agree.
I played at Sundridge last week, 8th hole is a dogleg right par 4 where you can elect to carry the trees or play safe for the corner but leave yourself a longer approach. I decided to go for the big one.
The take away felt great, under control. Everything slotted into place at the top of the backswing. Cushty. Started my downswing with some controlled aggression. This is feeling good I thought to myself.
My driver made beautiful contact with the ground about 6 inches in front of the ball and I fatted my shiney new Srixon about 40 yards down the hill...
My, how my playing partners giggled.
When I got to my ball I found it was sitting up quite nicely on a "Larry launch pad"...on an upslope with the trees still in perfect line with the flag.
James suggested playing a nice easy 7 iron down the fairway which would have most probably left me about 100 yards to go and a nice easy pitch. Two putts and a bogey for two points. "James, you are having a laugh" I said. "Perfect lie for a 5 wood to rocket it over the trees and land gently on the green. It's 3 points for me or nothing"
James gave me that kind of look that a 6 handicapper on a mission does every now and then. He had no faith in me at all. What does he know I thought to myself.
Set up felt great, I adjusted my stance to take account of the slope, took a couple of practice swings. God I felt awesome. This was going to go down as the recovery shot of all time.
Took a controlled almighty lash at the ball, and it went miles. Well the divot did anyway. The ball? That bloody thing bobbled about 30 yards up in the air and ended up at the bottom of some bush.
Feck it, I wasn't going to win the front 9 anyway so what did it matter.
Course management? Who needs it.
James, Dave and Roger had funny looks on their faces though. I wonder why?

 

[Tiger]

James suggested playing a nice easy 7 iron down the fairway which would have most probably left me about 100 yards to go and a nice easy pitch. Two putts and a bogey for two points. "James, you are having a laugh" I said. "Perfect lie for a 5 wood to rocket it over the trees and land gently on the green. It's 3 points for me or nothing"
James gave me that kind of look that a 6 handicapper on a mission does every now and then. He had no faith in me at all. What does he know I thought to myself.
Set up felt great, I adjusted my stance to take account of the slope, took a couple of practice swings. God I felt awesome. This was going to go down as the recovery shot of all time.
Took a controlled almighty lash at the ball, and it went miles. Well the divot did anyway. The ball? That bloody thing bobbled about 30 yards up in the air and ended up at the bottom of some bush.
I wasn't going to win the front 9 anyway so what did it matter.
Course management? Who needs it.
James, Dave and Roger had funny looks on their faces though. I wonder why?

Smiffy once again you are an inspiration! Brilliant

 

[JustOne]

Smiffy once again you are a knob! Brilliant

Fixed!

 

[clubchamp07]

...or to give it's full and accurate title "the not particularly great or scientifically robust, but hopefully entertaining and possibly enlightening, conservative strategy vs reckless bravado, stableford scoring golf experiment"!

Following the recent thread on stableford scoring I have decided to offer up my weekend round to the conduct of an important golf experiment. Can a high handicapper significantly improve their scores in stableford by adopting a more cautious approach?

Methodology
Every experiment needs a method, this is mine. There are some shots I would play anyway. The aim of this experiment is to identify the impact of those moments when you may choose against laying up and going for the green for example. As a result it is only in those moments when I am genuinely tempted to 'go for it' that the 2nd ball comes into play.

I will note my stableford score for each ball when I make those choices. In situations when I play a second ball I will always play the sensible shot first. This will ensure that the experiment is based on rationale shot choice as opposed to retrospective regret.

Where I do not have a clear line of sight I am required to play a sensible shot back into play.

Results will be published here and on the blog. May the best ball win!

My head hurts!

 

[funkyfred]

...or to give it's full and accurate title "the not particularly great or scientifically robust, but hopefully entertaining and possibly enlightening, conservative strategy vs reckless bravado, stableford scoring golf experiment"!

Following the recent thread on stableford scoring I have decided to offer up my weekend round to the conduct of an important golf experiment. Can a high handicapper significantly improve their scores in stableford by adopting a more cautious approach?

Methodology
Every experiment needs a method, this is mine. There are some shots I would play anyway. The aim of this experiment is to identify the impact of those moments when you may choose against laying up and going for the green for example. As a result it is only in those moments when I am genuinely tempted to 'go for it' that the 2nd ball comes into play.

I will note my stableford score for each ball when I make those choices. In situations when I play a second ball I will always play the sensible shot first. This will ensure that the experiment is based on rationale shot choice as opposed to retrospective regret.

Where I do not have a clear line of sight I am required to play a sensible shot back into play.

Results will be published here and on the blog. May the best ball win!

Tiger

I think my note to you on the previous threat is what got you thinking. The last thing I would do is question the wise words from the excellent array of talent this forum has, especially as I am only a mid 20's handicapper.

But, you are going out alone, surely this is the time to experiment. You are going to be right up behind the people in front of you, now one or two groups might let you through but sooner or later you will going no quicker than the group in front because they are right behind the people in front of them. So you can stand on the tee with the group in front or you can practice.

You wont get the chance to practice when you play with your friends so take every opportunity when you are on your own. Play your second ball, take on the glory shots, find out if you can get it past/over the lake/bunker or whatever, but remember your first ball is your proper scoring ball.

Have a good round, let us know how you get on.

 

[CrapHacker]

I think my note to you on the previous threat is what got you thinking.

And this used to be such a friendly forum.....