When should you be expected to hit greens?

[ScienceBoy]

So coming back to golf I am struggling with hitting greens!

I can hit the ball well, just not often enough but that will come.

Playing with my Uncle he said something that made me think... Players of my level should be hitting greens in regulation after a good drive EVERY time.

Is this really expected of a 12 handicapper?

I couldn't do it as I currently spend too much time worrying where the ball might go rather than where it should go. One example is I hit a booming 270 yard drive, drawing right down the middle leaving 135. Every fibre told me it was a 7 iron, I stuck it superbly and it flew the entire green and shot into the field behind! It should have been an 8 at most but due to not playing much I chose a 7 as that is what had gone that distance recently.

I did the same thing on 3 other holes, then over compensated and started thinning it and fatting it by taking too little club. OK I learnt a lot and I learnt to trust my swing a little more.

I do remember I used to hit a lot of greens, or worst be a few yards off on the safe side if I hit it well.

 

[muttleee]

If you're hitting it 270 off the tee, 135 yards should be no more than a gentle 9 iron at most...maybe even a wedge. Even I would reach for the 9 iron if I had 135 to go, and I'm a fairly short hitter.

 

[SAPCOR1]

Sounds like you hit the ball very well so it is all about course, shot and club management now.

If you play the course regularly you will get to know it or you could make detailed notes so you will know exactly where you are at anytime and what is required to get you on the dance floor

 

[Region3]

Playing with my Uncle he said something that made me think... Players of my level should be hitting greens in regulation after a good drive EVERY time.

Is this really expected of a 12 handicapper?

No.

It's a ridiculous statement to make.

In my opinion.

 

[fundy]

Totally agree, the answer is no. the correct answer is between sometimes and most of the time lol depending on whether you iron play is a strength or not

 

[leaney]

If you're hitting it 270 off the tee, 135 yards should be no more than a gentle 9 iron at most...maybe even a wedge. Even I would reach for the 9 iron if I had 135 to go, and I'm a fairly short hitter.

A gentle 9?

I hit a 330 yard drive on Friday and some others close to 300....but there is no way I could hit a gentle 9 iron to 135 yards. It would take me an 8 iron to 135 - 140 yards.

Admittedly I've only been playing for 10 months, so maybe I'm doing something seriously wrong....

 

[Imurg]

Totally agree, the answer is no. the correct answer is between sometimes and most of the time lol depending on whether you iron play is a strength or not

Exactly this - plus taking into account the distance.
No Professional hits 100% GIR every round.....

 

[Oddsocks]

If I remember right you were atleast 1 club lOnger than me and I'd take 135 as an easy 8 max or full 9i.... I'd expect you to be hitting 165/170 with a 7i....What were u thinking

 

[Captainron]

I would reasonably expect to hit the green from 175 yards out. As long as the wind was reasonable.

 

[USER1999]

I would reasonably expect to hit the green from 175 yards out. As long as the wind was reasonable.

Blimey, you're good.

 

[Captainron]

That's usually a 7 iron for me and I would happily go with that into a green.

 

[Region3]

A gentle 9?

I hit a 330 yard drive on Friday and some others close to 300....but there is no way I could hit a gentle 9 iron to 135 yards. It would take me an 8 iron to 135 - 140 yards.

I usually drive around the 260 mark and 135 is inbetween a wedge and a 9 iron.

Funny old game innit.

 

[rickg]

I would reasonably expect to hit the next tee box off two cart paths from 175 yards out..

isn't that what you meant?

 

[Captainron]

isn't that what you meant?

That was an 8 iron and I am still gutted that I missed you.

 

[Lump]

That's usually a 7 iron for me and I would happily go with that into a green.

Thats the thing though. Its very much dependent on the green you're aiming at and which club is in your hand.

If I'm middle of the fairway with a nice lie and a 5 iron down I would expect to scare the green.

 

[moogie]

Ive just read the whole thread, and surely a guy that Drives it 270yds, when faced with 135yds to green, CAN'T be a 7 iron, gota be 9 or easy 8...................??

 

[RGDave]

No.

It's a ridiculous statement to make.

In my opinion.

and mine to.

- - - - - - -

I play off 12, and miss plenty of greens. That's why I play off 12.

Eggs, Chickens, all that jazz.

 

[pokerjoke]

A gentle 9?

I hit a 330 yard drive on Friday and some others close to 300....but there is no way I could hit a gentle 9 iron to 135 yards. It would take me an 8 iron to 135 - 140 yards.

Admittedly I've only been playing for 10 months, so maybe I'm doing something seriously wrong....

You are doing something seriously wrong ......Exagerating.
Your ability to hit a driver further than top pros in just ten months.
Then being unable to hit a 9 iron 135 doesnt make any sense.
I await to be proved wrong.
Tims back

 

[bladeplayer]

I EXPECT to make greens anything from 170 in ... notice i said expect tho...

 

[leaney]

You are doing something seriously wrong ......Exagerating.
Your ability to hit a driver further than top pros in just ten months.
Then being unable to hit a 9 iron 135 doesnt make any sense.
I await to be proved wrong.
Tims back

It doesn't have to make sense but that's what happened on Friday.

I'm not saying that every drive goes 330 yards because it doesn't. But one of them did go that far on Saturday and I had some others that went close to 300 yards. The rest went 270-280.

I'm obviously losing a lot of power on my irons due to my inexperience but I'm sure it will get there.

I know I'm not 'exaggerating' and I wouldn't waste my time proving you wrong. Believe it or don't believe it, It makes no difference to me.