How YOU play golf.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by Dale

Whilst I agree wholeheartedly that for the majority of golfers, the most satisfying thing is undoubtedly banging a 300 yard drive right up the middle, for me personally the most satisfying thing is the 80 yard pitch that lands 1 ft away from the pin.

I guess I’m lucky enough that my game allows me to be one of the bigger hitters off the tee at my club, but the second I let one go (if it works!!) I find myself worrying more about making the next shot count rather than thinking I matched Tiger off the tee! Hence I prefer to make sure I get the distance off the tee, but tend to always concentrate on the shot into the green the most

(I guess most of that mentality comes from my amateurism, as at least 40-50% of tee shots with the driver are at least a bit off line, leaving me a shot into the green that requires a fair bit of concentration - mostly on the lines of "EEK! How the hell do I get it up over this tree from here!!")

My favorite shots are any that turn out exactly as planned; whether it's a solid drive faded around a dogleg, or a 160-yard 6-iron out of a fairway bunker that lands softly on the green, or an 80-yard wedge to within a foot, or a 30-foot double-breaker that I know is in from the moment I hit it. It's why we play this game, and I think the most important lesson I've learned lately is that playing it safe - playing the percentage shots - results in more "favorite shots", and thus, lower scores. Lately, I've gone from hitting driver on every par 4, to hitting driver on maybe one or two holes per round. I have a lot fewer "EEK!" second shots facing me.

[ezra76]

Originally Posted by Eracer

I think the most important lesson I've learned lately is that playing it safe - playing the percentage shots - results in more "favorite shots", and thus, lower scores. Lately, I've gone from hitting driver on every par 4, to hitting driver on maybe one or two holes per round. I have a lot fewer "EEK!" second shots facing me.

I forgot this lesson yesterday after hitting a dead straight drive resulting in a birdie on the 1st hole. I tripled all 3 par 5's. Pulled the 1st 2 then overcompensated and pushed way out into the trees. Of course I let the drives get in my head and screwed up a few more shots, I can't blame a triple on just one bad shot/decision anymore.