Your Golf Philosophy

[JEFF4i]

What is one core concept that you like to have with golf? Mine is definately versatility. Excluding the 10-24* gap in my bag makeup, I like having the most options possible.

Its why I carry two drivers. One for straight, one for long. Similar swings. Its why I carry 4 wedges. I have a multitude of shots with each. The key for me is finding the most versatility out of my clubs, and knowing different swings for each. That said, I still believe its fairways and greens, so even though I have those swings, they are aces in the hole. Essentially is pairing versatility with a conservative swing approach. I really don't want to swing that different from shot to shot (excluding driver, wedge, and iron shots), since that essentially what golf is, the swing. On the other hand, I like having the versatility within the same swing, i.e. different clubs in the two largest parts of the game. Short and long. The only place that I will constantly change the shot is of course, very short game. 30 yards and in, I have at least 5-6 different shots, probably more.

I've really committed to this idea and it has helped me. How about you guys?

[Esox]

I hit driver. Unless I'm playing a dog leg or a hole with a hazard I can't carry, I always hit driver. I've never understood the "keep it in play hit a 3W or iron" mentality. I'm not terrifically long off the tee, 250 to 270 typically, and I want that ball as far down the fairway as my fat body can hit it on every single hole. I want 8i, 9i, or one of my four wedges in my hands for as many approach shots as possible. I'm a good wedge player and hitting it close is the way to score, especially as inconsistently as I putt. I've never felt more confident that I could hit a fairway with a 3W than with a driver, and I'm fairly less confident hitting a long to mid iron approach than I am hitting a wedge or short iron into a green.

I see a lot of mid-handicappers playing it safe and hitting fairways, but I also see them hitting a lot of inconsistent or down right poor mid to long iron or hybrid or FW approach shots out of those fairway lies.

Be confident with the driver and hit as many greens with short iron or wedge approach shots as I can every round I play. That's my philosophy.

That and plead with God to let at least a couple shaky birdie putts fall.

Kevin

[ezra76]

My philosophy? If physics will allow it, I'm going for it... if not, I'll try it anyway. I've never met a shot I won't attempt. If it's outside my 3W range... driver off the deck might get it there. If the tree is in the way, draw it, cut it, over it, under it, whatever.

[Gus Riley]

My golf priority philosophy:

"If it ain't fun, I ain't doing it."

I left this fine game 15 years ago because somehow I grew to take it and myself too seriously. I discovered I wasn't enjoying the game for what it is...a game to relax with and enjoy.

Since my return, I faithfully enjoy and value advancing the ball!

Cheers!

[Wi-Golfer]

Originally Posted by ezra76

My philosophy? If physics will allow it, I'm going for it... if not, I'll try it anyway. I've never met a shot I won't attempt. If it's outside my 3W range... driver off the deck might get it there. If the tree is in the way, draw it, cut it, over it, under it, whatever.

Unfortunately I tend to have the same mindset most of the time. If I am in the tree's, I will try to go thru them or over them. Doesn't always work & normally when the shot fails, I end up in worse trouble than I started. But when I pull the shot off I feel like a freakin superman. I hate playing safe.

[goto10]

Originally Posted by ezra76

My philosophy? If physics will allow it, I'm going for it... if not, I'll try it anyway. I've never met a shot I won't attempt. If it's outside my 3W range... driver off the deck might get it there. If the tree is in the way, draw it, cut it, over it, under it, whatever.

Copy that.

As a weekend warrior, I didn't pay 50 bones to hit a stinkin' layup.

This strategy hurts my avg, but it also nets me some low rounds here or there. And THOSE are the rounds you remember.

[JEFF4i]

Originally Posted by ezra76

My philosophy? If physics will allow it, I'm going for it... if not, I'll try it anyway. I've never met a shot I won't attempt. If it's outside my 3W range... driver off the deck might get it there. If the tree is in the way, draw it, cut it, over it, under it, whatever.

You know that other thread you started?

Yeah, there's your answer.

[gwlee7]

Low score is what wins in this game and I am always trying to shoot the lowest score I possibly can. That means playing the percentages. I play to my strengths at all times. My main philosophy is to never follow a bad shot with a worse one.

[ezra76]

Originally Posted by JEFF4i

You know that other thread you started?

Yeah, there's your answer.

Twofast's heard this one before... "Looks like eagle is probably out of the question... guess I'll have to settle for birdie" This is something I say after a really offline tee shot.

[JEFF4i]

Originally Posted by ezra76

Twofast's heard this one before... "Looks like eagle is probably out of the question... guess I'll have to settle for birdie" This is something I say after a really offline tee shot.

Positive thinking and committing to the shot are awesome, but there are always times when doing the smart thing is best, and then play aggressive on the next shot.

My best example was when I was in Florida. Barely pull my drive, could have easily been fairway except for the sever slope, so I roll all the behind a few trees. I could have tried to hook the ball around and roll it up onto the green. Buttttt, there was water to the left, and of course those pesky trees in front of me. So what do I do? Just punch it up to about 70 out, and then go all out on the next shot, and save par.

[gwlee7]

Originally Posted by JEFF4i

Positive thinking and committing to the shot are awesome, but there are always times when doing the smart thing is best, and then play aggressive on the next shot.

My best example was when I was in Florida. Barely pull my drive, could have easily been fairway except for the sever slope, so I roll all the behind a few trees. I could have tried to hook the ball around and roll it up onto the green. Buttttt, there was water to the left, and of course those pesky trees in front of me. So what do I do? Just punch it up to about 70 out, and then go all out on the next shot, and save par.

This is exactly what I mean when I say I never intend to follow a bad shot with a worse one. Your tee shot didn't turn out so great so you made sure that the next shot was one that was not worse. Saving par is likely while making worse than bogey is highly unlikely. This is what causes people to shoot low scores.

[Eracer]

My philosophy is to give each shot my full attention, preparing for it with as much focus as possible, then executing the shot in as relaxed and confident a manner as I can.

Prepare for each shot, then let the shot happen.

I'm not very good at it, but it's what I strive for.

[zaphod]

My approach to the game is to visualize what is possible and then most important what is probable. Then to choose and commit. Like Jeff if I could hit everything with the same swing I would. Moving the ball left or right is kept at a minimum. Why??? Because I do not want to devote practice time to maintain the skill. So my assets are distance control and linear accuracy.

My bag is devoted to keeping it as simple as possible. If I avoid "blowup holes" I walk away from the round maybe not the medalist but certainly feeling good about the round.

[MCDavis]

Mine is to simply enjoy the day...nothing more.

And, to get in Jeff's head enough here that one day I can get in his pocket on the course!

[JEFF4i]

Originally Posted by MCDavis

Mine is to simply enjoy the day...nothing more.

And, to get in Jeff's head enough here that one day I can get in his pocket on the course!

My dad made this a very difficult job. He essentially became a person I loathed on the golf course, and initially, I really did. I wasn't wise to what he was doing, so it takes a lot to get under my skin out there.