Long Game vs Short Game - Golf Debate -

[mygolfbuddyph]

Golf has always been a shot of specialty!. Some excel over their infamous putting technique, and a couple would brag about their 190yard 7 iron off the tee!. Like any puzzle, our golf game is structured preferably in one of the fields. The question remains, which has more value to you? and why is it important!

Long Game

• Driver - "The Big Stick" is crucial on pacing up your game. Having a solid off the tee shot on a par 4/5 puts you in contention for a well-deserved birdie. Depending on how far you hit it, a solid drive is a clear advantage over your buddies. Using it 14 times (excluding par 3s) makes it underwhelming, yet it's the most prized possession in a golf bag.

• Fairway Woods - A great sidekick for the mid-range distance hitter, and a club for playing it subtle off the tee. Someone who values course management will have a fairway wood at his/her disposal!.
• Irons - the term "ball striker" is given to amateurs with good iron control. To play around with a draw to a "low draw" is significant to have that 3ft putt for birdie.

Short Game

• Wedges - Our lifeline, the butter of our bread, and a shot caller that'll save your round!. mastering your wedge shots has its own league of specialties. Greenside bunker shots, the long chip & roll, Flop shot, and a scope of characteristics where imagination is key!.​

  

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• Putter - Often overlooked, putting is the gateway for shooting lower scores. This makes up 40% of our golf game and we barely give it much attention. If you wanna rake in lower scores, then "putt" some practice into it!.

So Which is it?
Finding your balance, and giving love for every department is the key!. Knowing your weakness is crucial to understand your core strengths!. The learning cycle of the game differentiates as you get better at it. In my opinion, a weekend golfer would prioritize their long game than of an experienced player polishing up their short game.

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[TheTrueReview]

If it were available I would've voted (c): All of the above.

Short game is the deadly scoring game. Long game is integral in getting to or near the green in as few shots as possible. No point having a deadly short game if you're chopping up the course getting there.

 

[TEA Time]

"A strong short game will save a weak long game. It does not work the other way 'round."
-TEA Time

 

[azgreg]

If it were available I would've voted (c): All of the above.

Short game is the deadly scoring game. Long game is integral in getting to or near the green in as few shots as possible. No point having a deadly short game if you're chopping up the course getting there.

I agree. Nothing like getting up and down for a triple. It reminds me of the saying "Drive for show, putt for dough". However, if you can't drive for shit you're not getting the opportunity to putt for dough.

 

[MCDavis]

Ok, look at it this way: which would you score better with: carrying only your long game clubs as defined by the OP, or carrying your short game clubs?

I say short game.

 

[eclark53520]

I would probably score the same/better if I had nothing in the bag but 7i-putter

I'd spend a lot less time trying to hit out of the woods/two fairways over/etc. I've played golf against guys that simply can't hit their driver further than my well struck 7i. They can't. But they never leave the fairway. They always shoot lower scores than I do. They're also old....usually excessively old.

But...chicks dig the long ball.

 

[limpalong]

I will always be a firm believer that scoring is in the short game. Go ahead and hit it 10, 20, even 30 yards by me off the tee. I'll still give you competition due to my chipping and putting. So often in our groups we come back with "worst drive... best score". Saw it today on a couple of holes. It's your ability to not follow up one back shot with another and your short game.

 

[limpalong]

They're also old....usually excessively old.

Listen here, ya young whippersnapper!!! If'n you were closer, I'd whip your young fanny from here to McWheenyville and back!!!!

 

[PaPaD]

No debate for me. I have no long game, so I chip and putt my way to my best scores. Shot 80 today and I think I only hit 5 GIR.

 

[IrishGolfer]

On every level of the game, the guys that score chip and putt well. I've played so many games where I've hit the ball like a pro only to be taken down by a short game specialist. A guy that dinks, scuffs, hooks, thins the ball to the green and sinks a raker, time after time. There is nothing more frustrating.

 

[azgreg]

I once played in a 3 club tourney where I carried 7i, SW, and putter. Shot in the 80's and had a lot of fun.

 

[Wi-Golfer]

I did an experiment a few yrs ago at a course I have played a lot and typically would come in 4-5 over par on it. I played with 4 clubs, 3w, 6I, pitching wedge and putter. My score was within 2-3 strokes of my normal everyday score there. Take away from that what you will but it told me I didn't need to carry a bag full of clubs.

 

[PaPaD]

On every level of the game, the guys that score chip and putt well. I've played so many games where I've hit the ball like a pro only to be taken down by a short game specialist. A guy that dinks, scuffs, hooks, thins the ball to the green and sinks a raker, time after time. There is nothing more frustrating.

I remember playing with subsonic one day and after chipping one close and dropping the par putt in, he said "PapaD, that's what gives geezers a bad name". Damn old guys.......

 

[xamilo]

A 250yd fairway driver counts as one shot. So does a one foot putt.

My long game is excellent. I can easily get 80% of fairways with over 220yd every time. When you combine that with 3 approach shots and three putts every time, it still counts as +3 on every hole hehehehe.

It really doesn’t matter if you are ahead 30yds of everyone else in your foursome with your driver if you cannot get the green in regulation anyway.

I’d change my long game for a short one in a wink

 

[mygolfbuddyph]

I once played in a 3 club tourney where I carried 7i, SW, and putter. Shot in the 80's and had a lot of fun.

you are a legend sir!

 

[mygolfbuddyph]

A 250yd fairway driver counts as one shot. So does a one foot putt.

My long game is excellent. I can easily get 80% of fairways with over 220yd every time. When you combine that with 3 approach shots and three putts every time, it still counts as +3 on every hole hehehehe.

It really doesn’t matter if you are ahead 30yds of everyone else in your foursome with your driver if you cannot get the green in regulation anyway.

I’d change my long game for a short one in a wink

3 approach shots and 3putts is quite the overkill. Being good with your short game has its perks, but the hitting it far is a talent.