par-five play...

**onthehunt526** · February 8, 2015

Simple question really aside from distance into the green... Let's say you hit a really good drive on a par-five and are close enough to be able to reach the green in two shots.... We all play different courses and have different conditions... So in what situations would you go for the green? What situations would make you lay-up?

**DoubleEagle** · February 8, 2015

My standard approach to most Par 5's is 3W off the tee and 3W on second shot....we see what happens and go from there...

***iacas*** · February 8, 2015

Simple question really aside from distance into the green...

Let's say you hit a really good drive on a par-five and are close enough to be able to reach the green in two shots....

We all play different courses and have different conditions...

So in what situations would you go for the green? What situations would make you lay-up?

I'd go for the green using the principles described in a book I wrote : when the "go for it" egg is lighter shaded than the "layup" egg.

So, most of the time… The distance gradient is a killer.

**jamo** · February 8, 2015

So in what situations would you go for the green?

Most situations.

**Shindig** · February 8, 2015

Most of the time. And if getting to the green wasn't a realistic shot, or there was too much trouble near the green (such as many bunkers), I'd hit the ball as close to the green as I can. There's a par-5 at my home course that I've never reached in two, but I'm often enough just outside of 3-wood range for my second shot. The right hand side of the green is guarded by a bunker, but there's nothing but short grass left. So I tend to aim for the front-left of the green. I've had enough rounds where I'm hitting my third shot from inside 40 yards. I'm certainly scoring better on that hole than I did back when my play would have been to hit two PWs -- among other things, I can now aim for the flag on my third shot in many cases, while I know better than to do that on a full shot.

**Patch** · February 8, 2015

I lay up most of the time since I can't reach most par 5s in two shots any more. 475-485 is about my 2 stroke limit, and I would need have a good driver & 3W strike on the ball. At this distance, that still puts me in range of womens' par fives, but I am not incline to add any make up in my golf bag, or start wearing female apparel. .

**onkey** · February 8, 2015

If there is no hazard, I will go for it every time (as I would expect everyone does). If there is a lateral hazard, I won't hit anything stronger than a 3-iron/hybrid as my shot dispersion gets too big on anything stronger. I won't attempt anything longer than a 160-yard forced carry unless the green is deep with no real danger if I go long. In those cases I tend to overclub and play it safe(r)--if I hit it close, it's because I mishit it.

**RickK** · February 8, 2015

If I have a reasonable chance of hitting the green and it is not a tournament, I am loading it up and going for it all the time.

If I am playing in a tournament, then it depends on what kind of trouble there is and where that trouble is. If there is water in front of the green and any kind of miss is going to find it, then I am laying up to around 100 yards.

Also, if there is OB close to both side of the green and not much bail out area, then I probably will lay up...again playing in a tournament.

I don't have a problem if the only trouble is bunkers. I am ok being in a greenside bunker in 2 on a par 5. You can hit 3rd shot from a bunker.

If you hit it in the water, then you are hitting your 4th shot and making par just became much harder.

**Shindig** · February 8, 2015

In those cases I tend to overclub and play it safe(r)--if I hit it close, it's because I mishit it.

Fun how that works when it does, isn't it? Last summer I nearly aced a par-3 with a forward pin after hitting a terrible tee shot that was intended for the middle of the green.

**vangator** · February 8, 2015

If there is a chance of taking a penalty stroke (water, tall grass, etc) I will lay up to as close as possible. Otherwise, I go for it. I will lay up if the bunkers are too penal. Normal bunkers aren't a problem.

**alleztom** · February 9, 2015

I haven't gotten to advancing the ball safely with my 3w yet (still need to practice more to the point I'm confident with her). My next longest club is a 17 degree hybrid, so if I can reach the green with it (about 225 yards from a good lie) I do so, if not I lay up with it and get as close to the green as possible. I think this follows Lowest Score Wins' advice as closely as is possible, of course if there is significant trouble (water, tight OB) I'll maybe choose another option.

**Shindig** · February 9, 2015

I haven't gotten to advancing the ball safely with my 3w yet (still need to practice more to the point I'm confident with her). My next longest club is a 17 degree hybrid, so if I can reach the green with it (about 225 yards from a good lie) I do so, if not I lay up with it and get as close to the green as possible. I think this follows Lowest Score Wins' advice as closely as is possible, of course if there is significant trouble (water, tight OB) I'll maybe choose another option.

I think the last part is what LSW suggests also. Getting the ball closer to the green doesn't help if that closer part is submerged. ;-) When I was your handicap (23 at the time of your post), I couldn't hit my 3W either. I lived in fear of having to hit it. I'd look for any excuse to not hit it. Then I got semi-comfortable with it off the tee, and if I was swinging well, I'd sometimes brave it. But if I hit it poorly, it affected the rest of my swings all day (I'd lose all confidence). It wasn't until the TST outing last Spring where +mvmac showed me a new grip on the range that I suddenly became more comfortable with the 3W, and I was already a ~17 handicap by then. Now I look for excuses to hit it on long holes (second shot, of course). By the way, this is actually an on-topic comment. Hitting that 3W decently off the deck makes par-5s a bit shorter -- or, rather, shortens your third shot, which improves your expected score. I think hitting the 3W better is more reflective of having a better full swing (coupled with a grip that isn't fighting said swing) than anything though.

**Lihu** · February 9, 2015

Quote:
Originally Posted by alleztom

I haven't gotten to advancing the ball safely with my 3w yet (still need to practice more to the point I'm confident with her). My next longest club is a 17 degree hybrid, so if I can reach the green with it (about 225 yards from a good lie) I do so, if not I lay up with it and get as close to the green as possible. I think this follows Lowest Score Wins' advice as closely as is possible, of course if there is significant trouble (water, tight OB) I'll maybe choose another option.

I think the last part is what LSW suggests also. Getting the ball closer to the green doesn't help if that closer part is submerged.

When I was your handicap (23 at the time of your post), I couldn't hit my 3W either. I lived in fear of having to hit it. I'd look for any excuse to not hit it. Then I got semi-comfortable with it off the tee, and if I was swinging well, I'd sometimes brave it. But if I hit it poorly, it affected the rest of my swings all day (I'd lose all confidence).

It wasn't until the TST outing last Spring where +mvmac showed me a new grip on the range that I suddenly became more comfortable with the 3W, and I was already a ~17 handicap by then. Now I look for excuses to hit it on long holes (second shot, of course).

By the way, this is actually an on-topic comment. Hitting that 3W decently off the deck makes par-5s a bit shorter -- or, rather, shortens your third shot, which improves your expected score. I think hitting the 3W better is more reflective of having a better full swing (coupled with a grip that isn't fighting said swing) than anything though.

I'm not confident that many people*** can hit their 3W that well. For instance, I can hit my 3W anywhere from 200 yards to 250 yards off the deck and offline by as much as 8-10 degrees or more. It sounds pretty "solid", but my direction is crappy. Thus, my self assessment of hitting a 3W is that I hit it like crap. One of my playing partners watched me make up 250 yards with it and thought I hit it pretty well even though it went into the woods next to the hole. Another one thought I hit it pretty well almost making the 559 yard par 5 distance to the green in 2, but I was in the tee box on the hole next to it 50-60 yards off line. Off the tee, I actually hit it as well as my driver only shorter, so there is no reason to use it this way.

If you can hit it well, I'm sure you're probably on your way to the single digits. I hit mine like crap, but keep it in my bag just so I can learn how to use it.

***Single digit golfers can probably hit it reasonably well, but for us double digit guys it's like rolling dice.

**Shindig** · February 9, 2015

I'm not confident that many people*** can hit their 3W that well. For instance, I can hit my 3W anywhere from 200 yards to 250 yards off the deck and offline by as much as 8-10 degrees or more. It sounds pretty "solid", but my direction is crappy. Thus, my self assessment of hitting a 3W is that I hit it like crap. One of my playing partners watched me make up 250 yards with it and thought I hit it pretty well even though it went into the woods next to the hole. Another one thought I hit it pretty well almost making the 559 yard par 5 distance to the green in 2, but I was in the tee box on the hole next to it 50-60 yards off line. Off the tee, I actually hit it as well as my driver only shorter, so there is no reason to use it this way. If you can hit it well, I'm sure you're probably on your way to the single digits. I hit mine like crap, but keep it in my bag just so I can learn how to use it. ***Single digit golfers can probably hit it reasonably well, but for us double digit guys it's like rolling dice.

See, I've got the other problem. Sometimes it's 200 yards like it should be, other times it's 120 yards skipping along the ground. I don't use it if I need to clear a hazard near me, especially water. The off-line hits are more rare for me. But I should practice that shot more than I do.

**Lihu** · February 9, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

I'm not confident that many people*** can hit their 3W that well. For instance, I can hit my 3W anywhere from 200 yards to 250 yards off the deck and offline by as much as 8-10 degrees or more. It sounds pretty "solid", but my direction is crappy. Thus, my self assessment of hitting a 3W is that I hit it like crap. One of my playing partners watched me make up 250 yards with it and thought I hit it pretty well even though it went into the woods next to the hole. Another one thought I hit it pretty well almost making the 559 yard par 5 distance to the green in 2, but I was in the tee box on the hole next to it 50-60 yards off line. Off the tee, I actually hit it as well as my driver only shorter, so there is no reason to use it this way.

If you can hit it well, I'm sure you're probably on your way to the single digits. I hit mine like crap, but keep it in my bag just so I can learn how to use it.

***Single digit golfers can probably hit it reasonably well, but for us double digit guys it's like rolling dice.

See, I've got the other problem. Sometimes it's 200 yards like it should be, other times it's 120 yards skipping along the ground. I don't use it if I need to clear a hazard near me, especially water. The off-line hits are more rare for me.

But I should practice that shot more than I do.

Exactly, like rolling dice for us.

3W is a really hard club to master. Probably as hard as a 4i or 3i. 3i might be a little harder? I don't really know either.

**DrvFrShow** · February 9, 2015

Par 5 468... that'd be a par 4 for you guys. If I crush my drive, get lucky and also put it in the fairway and get a good roll on a hot day with the wind to my back (240), that leaves me with 228. There's no way I'm reaching it in 2. I'm hitting a 4H for my second shot (175-180) to make sure I'm in a good position for my approach. That will leave me a 50 yd lob wedge. That 50 yd shot I can put on the green and putt for birdie.

Par 5 410... again a par 4 for you guys. If I hit a normal drive 210 carry with a 15 yd roll to 225. That'll leave me 185. I might play my 3H and play the ball back and hit a draw. IME the ball won't roll as much and if the shot is accurate I could be on in 2. If not, I'm chipping my third shot.

**onthehunt526** · February 9, 2015

Par 5 468... that'd be a par 4 for you guys. If I crush my drive, get lucky and also put it in the fairway and get a good roll on a hot day with the wind to my back (240), that leaves me with 228. There's no way I'm reaching it in 2. I'm hitting a 4H for my second shot (175-180) to make sure I'm in a good position for my approach. That will leave me a 50 yd lob wedge. That 50 yd shot I can put on the green and putt for birdie. Par 5 410... again a par 4 for you guys. If I hit a normal drive 210 carry with a 15 yd roll to 225. That'll leave me 185. I might play my 3H and play the ball back and hit a draw. IME the ball won't roll as much and if the shot is accurate I could be on in 2. If not, I'm chipping my third shot.

The 468 yard par 4, I have played a 467-yard, par-5 though it was uphill... Most par-fives that I hit a good enough drive, I won't necessarily lay-up, nor go for the green... It depends on what club I would need to reach the green... 500 or so... that means with a good drive I'd have to hit a FW to the green, I don't have a ton of confidence in my Fairway Woods, So if there isn't any penal trouble around the green or a forced carry of over 200, I'll hit maybe a hybrid or 4-iron and give myself a 30-yard pitch or so... If I have about 215 to 220 in I will absolutely go for it... Trouble around the green, 8-iron all the way... I haven't read LSW, but I do plan on getting a copy soon... Is there a such thing as "sort-of laying-up" to leave a pitch or chip for your next shot, Erik?

**Lihu** · February 9, 2015

Par 5 468... that'd be a par 4 for you guys. If I crush my drive, get lucky and also put it in the fairway and get a good roll on a hot day with the wind to my back (240), that leaves me with 228. There's no way I'm reaching it in 2. I'm hitting a 4H for my second shot (175-180) to make sure I'm in a good position for my approach. That will leave me a 50 yd lob wedge. That 50 yd shot I can put on the green and putt for birdie.

Par 5 410... again a par 4 for you guys. If I hit a normal drive 210 carry with a 15 yd roll to 225. That'll leave me 185. I might play my 3H and play the ball back and hit a draw. IME the ball won't roll as much and if the shot is accurate I could be on in 2. If not, I'm chipping my third shot.

A really long par 4.

Sign In

par-five play...

Recommended Posts

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

Create an account

Sign in

Topics Being Discussed Right Now on The Sand Trap

TST Partners

Popular Now

Posts

Important Information