What's your preferred lay up distance?

[duncan mackie]

what do you leave as your preferred distance?

94 yards; conditions adjusted.

 

[Bobirdie]

80 for me. Nice solid 58 does the job

 

[Keeno]

As close as possible. I'm much better from 30yards than 100 yard.

 

[duncan mackie]

As close as possible. I'm much better from 30yards than 100 yard.

30yds isn't a lay up; it's a missed green (and on some greens you can be 30 yds from the pin and on the green!!!)

 

[Keeno]

Of course its a lay up.

I think folk kid themselves on about how good they are from certain yardages.

I miss a good few greens from 100 yards, but less the closer I get.

 

[garyinderry]

Some see a certain yardage through rose tinted specs. they remember getting up and down from that magic mark.

The reality is, its a decent number to lay up to if you get into trouble or out of position that allows you to hit a green, maybe make par but ultimately make no less than a bogey.

It really is as simple as get it as close as you can for approach. This is why we All want to be longer off the tee.

 

[Fish]

Some see a certain yardage through rose tinted specs. they remember getting up and down from that magic mark.

The reality is, its a decent number to lay up to if you get into trouble or out of position that allows you to hit a green, maybe make par but ultimately make no less than a bogey.

It really is as simple as get it as close as you can for approach. This is why we All want to be longer off the tee.

I can fluff, thin or quit on a chip far more often than taking a full 9 or 8i in, so I look at it as a short par 3 approach which I tend to always score well on, so anything between 110-130 will do me fine.

 

[backwoodsman]

Depends on what's between me and the flag. If nothing then 40 yd for a 9I chip n run. If there's something to get uo and over, then 110yd for a full pw. I'd suggest that 40yd is a lay up. Eg our 17th I could get there with a smashed 3 wood but chances are it would go wild. So a much safer 4h to a bit short is a much better bet.

 

[RW1986]

Probably 85 yards or so I'd say. Nice steady sand wedge

 

[SugarPenguin]

It doesnt matter. I will still miss the green.

 

[duncan mackie]

Of course its a lay up.

I think folk kid themselves on about how good they are from certain yardages.

I miss a good few greens from 100 yards, but less the closer I get.

the point is that by aiming to get as close as possible you aren't choosing to deliberately play shorter - which is the definition a lay up.

you seem to be fundamentally arguing against the principle of ever laying up at all, which is a different matter; and you are of course entitled to your opinion. I certainly wouldn't argue that it's never right to just bang it down as far as possible and just deal with the next shot from where ever, and on many (usually badly designed) courses this can be the norm. However, there will be times when the green is within reach but the risk reward ratio is such that laying up is the better option - in which case I prefer to do so to just over 90yds as this gives me my greatest range of shots to go hunting a challenging pin (if it's not challenging I probably won't be laying up!)

 

[Wayman]

I would say 110yards for me

 

[Val]

the point is that by aiming to get as close as possible you aren't choosing to deliberately play shorter - which is the definition a lay up.

Disagree, if the distance to the green is a Sunday best biggest club with no good miss left or right and you choose to get it down as far as possible a club or 2 less, that's a lay up.

I think you misunderstood Keenos post. He said get it close as possible, he didnt say go for every green.

 

[garyinderry]

I can fluff, thin or quit on a chip far more often than taking a full 9 or 8i in, so I look at it as a short par 3 approach which I tend to always score well on, so anything between 110-130 will do me fine.

You understand that this is a huge weakness? you should be licking your lips with 30yard approach shots expecting with some hope that you can get down in two. Push that out to 130yards and your up and down make percentage plummets.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Always try to get as close to the green as possible if I can't make it. The closer the easier for me. However, on the very rare occasion that a full blown lay up is required then 100 yds is the target as I've hit literally 000's of these at the range over the years

 

[Keeno]

the point is that by aiming to get as close as possible you aren't choosing to deliberately play shorter - which is the definition a lay up.

you seem to be fundamentally arguing against the principle of ever laying up at all, which is a different matter; and you are of course entitled to your opinion. I certainly wouldn't argue that it's never right to just bang it down as far as possible and just deal with the next shot from where ever, and on many (usually badly designed) courses this can be the norm. However, there will be times when the green is within reach but the risk reward ratio is such that laying up is the better option - in which case I prefer to do so to just over 90yds as this gives me my greatest range of shots to go hunting a challenging pin (if it's not challenging I probably won't be laying up!)

It is laying up. 30 yards, 50 yards, 70 yards, 100 yards it doesn't matter.

If I could reach the green with a well struck 3wood, but its too risky due to bunkers, run off area's etc, I will layup with an easy hybrid leaving me 30 yards short of the green.

I do this regularly, it is still laying up even if it doesn't meet with your thinking.

 

[guest100718]

You've played a shot that in theory allows you to get to the green with your absolute Sunday best 3-wood off the deck with your next blow. But in a rare moment of sensible course management you opt for the lay-up.

Though what do you leave as your preferred distance?

As I have a possibly the shonkiest short approach game in the country (inside 20 - 30 yards I become a nervous wreck and the Siren cries often see me lured onto the jagged rocks of a woeful 'duff' or card-murdering 'knife') I'll try and leave myself a comfortable full PW or AW.

But what do you hit? Do you not do sensible - instead throwing caution to the (3 club) wind always preferring the speculative smash and the shock of occasionally stiffing it to 18 inches, or do you play for as short an approach as possible, and if you do that then what club do you play the shot to the green with?

Unless you have no choice and have to lay up at around the 100 yard mark then you should try and get as close as possible.

Distance is king

Well proximity to the hole is...

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Will all depend on what the green is like , the hazards in front of the green , any dead ground , raised green etc

Generally 80-100 yards is a good safe distance for me

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I'm not good enough to pretend I can hit a shot to any specific distance from the flag, and in any case I don't have a 'go-to' approach shot distance or shot.

In general I follow Tommy Armour's advice and I will play the shot that gives me the easiest next shot.

What that next shot will be depends upon the hole; the surrounds to the green; where the flag is; the weather; if a match or comp the sort of match or comp and the state of play, and last but not least - how I feel on the day.

 

[Twire]

Usually try and lay up to between 100 and 110 yards if I can.

Leave me a choice of shots and club choices as required.

Same as Gareth, this should leave a full shot for me with my 52 or PW depending on conditions.

I do struggle with anything under about 80 yards, that's the weakest part of my game.