One of the biggest problems I see with amateur golfers is distance control. You can't hit a green if you don't know how far every iron goes. In most amateurs, under club on most shots they don't know the difference between carry distance and total distance. If they just used the distance to the back of the green instead of the pin, they would surely hit more greens.
Although the strokes gained data has really helped many golfers, there are some caveats to the data. For instances, #1 focuses on distance over accuracy. That's correct using mild to moderate rough. However, in the south this time of year, the Bermuda rough can be 3-6 inches deep. This changes the equation for me. I'd rather have a 150 yard shot from the fairway than a 125 yard shot from 3-6 inches Bermuda rough. I do agree that my experience and data show that proximity to the hole with approach shots and avoidance of double bogeys is most important to scoring low.
Thank you for your input. I totally agree. I live in San Diego and have had the pleasure of playing Torrey South a couple of times when the rough is grown out. It's essentially a penalty shot... So yes, this can absolutely change the equation. I'd be curious to see if the proximity to the hole changes with super thick rough. I'll have to do some digging.
While you are at it, how would you factor in playing a tight, tree-lined course in the PNW. Wayward drives prevent even attempting to reach the green 75% of the time. I’d be curious to see how much distance is appropriate to give up and still expect a lower score when a missed fairway equates to a 1 shot penalty 75% of the time?
Oh man I’d have to assume accuracy trumps distance on a course like that. I’d also be curious what the course rating is. Anything with tree lined fairways has to play much harder (so I’d go easy on yourself).
But I personally would probably be hitting hybrid off each tee and just trying to keep it in front of me best I can.
My problem appears to be that I have mastered every single way to make double bogey. Hit it short in the fairway? Double bogey. Hit it long in the rough? Double bogey. I can three putt, chunk a chip (even with a PW) or go back and forth across the green. So “reduce double bogeys” is one hell of a strategy to lower my (12) handicap, but there’s a large gap between conceptual understanding and delivering…
Haha I can feel your frustration. I've been there...
A lot of dropping your index from a 12 just comes from trying to play more "boring". Play to centers of greens, never take on flags, hit to safe side of the course, only hit clubs you're comfortable with, etc... But as you said, easier said than done lol.
As a senior golfer accuracy of the tee also leads to increased distance as my carry with my driver is not that great and the roll I can get in the fairway is an important part of my total distance. Slow swing speed also makes it hard for me to hit greens from the rough.
Very good points. I don't think there's anything wrong with knowing your own game's strengths and weaknesses. How is the rough where you play? Another commenter made a great point that not all rough is created equal. Some rough is extremely difficult to hit out of.
Yeah the rough where I usually play here in Michigan gets to be pretty long and the ball settles down in it, I have trouble making good contact with more than a 9 or wedge
One of the biggest problems I see with amateur golfers is distance control. You can't hit a green if you don't know how far every iron goes. In most amateurs, under club on most shots they don't know the difference between carry distance and total distance. If they just used the distance to the back of the green instead of the pin, they would surely hit more greens.
Totally agree. That’s why amateurs miss short something like 70% of the time. Very high number
Although the strokes gained data has really helped many golfers, there are some caveats to the data. For instances, #1 focuses on distance over accuracy. That's correct using mild to moderate rough. However, in the south this time of year, the Bermuda rough can be 3-6 inches deep. This changes the equation for me. I'd rather have a 150 yard shot from the fairway than a 125 yard shot from 3-6 inches Bermuda rough. I do agree that my experience and data show that proximity to the hole with approach shots and avoidance of double bogeys is most important to scoring low.
Thank you for your input. I totally agree. I live in San Diego and have had the pleasure of playing Torrey South a couple of times when the rough is grown out. It's essentially a penalty shot... So yes, this can absolutely change the equation. I'd be curious to see if the proximity to the hole changes with super thick rough. I'll have to do some digging.
While you are at it, how would you factor in playing a tight, tree-lined course in the PNW. Wayward drives prevent even attempting to reach the green 75% of the time. I’d be curious to see how much distance is appropriate to give up and still expect a lower score when a missed fairway equates to a 1 shot penalty 75% of the time?
Oh man I’d have to assume accuracy trumps distance on a course like that. I’d also be curious what the course rating is. Anything with tree lined fairways has to play much harder (so I’d go easy on yourself).
But I personally would probably be hitting hybrid off each tee and just trying to keep it in front of me best I can.
My problem appears to be that I have mastered every single way to make double bogey. Hit it short in the fairway? Double bogey. Hit it long in the rough? Double bogey. I can three putt, chunk a chip (even with a PW) or go back and forth across the green. So “reduce double bogeys” is one hell of a strategy to lower my (12) handicap, but there’s a large gap between conceptual understanding and delivering…
Haha I can feel your frustration. I've been there...
A lot of dropping your index from a 12 just comes from trying to play more "boring". Play to centers of greens, never take on flags, hit to safe side of the course, only hit clubs you're comfortable with, etc... But as you said, easier said than done lol.
As a senior golfer accuracy of the tee also leads to increased distance as my carry with my driver is not that great and the roll I can get in the fairway is an important part of my total distance. Slow swing speed also makes it hard for me to hit greens from the rough.
Very good points. I don't think there's anything wrong with knowing your own game's strengths and weaknesses. How is the rough where you play? Another commenter made a great point that not all rough is created equal. Some rough is extremely difficult to hit out of.
Yeah the rough where I usually play here in Michigan gets to be pretty long and the ball settles down in it, I have trouble making good contact with more than a 9 or wedge
Absolutely correct. I track all my stats using Tangent, and approach play is my greatest area for improvement!
I'm going to write these on my gloves in permanent marker. Thanks for this! 👍🙌
Hahaha great idea
I don’t think golfers realize how important the combination of proximity to the hole and <100 yards are to posting better scores. Great article!
Yup. Those awkward shots inside 100 yards become very important the closer you get to scratch
Great piece. Simple and to the point. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I stay away from golf for all these reasons and I can never get it through the windmill on the first shot.