Comments on: Myths

By: Drop In Distance | The Sand Trap

Drop In Distance | The Sand Trap — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 18:16:31 +0000

There has been a drop in distance off the tee this year and now we only have eleven golfers averaging more than 300 yards per drive.

By: Do Seniors Follow the Rule | The Sand Trap

Do Seniors Follow the Rule | The Sand Trap — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 11:14:52 +0000

This year's Senior PGA Championship made me think about how the last major tour would stand up to the 40-30-20-10 rule. It turns out that it fits just as good - or even better - than the PGA and LPGA Tours.

By: Harold Olnhausen

Harold Olnhausen — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 19:25:27 +0000

Myth #3 Statistics can be misleading. The surface of greens of yesteryear were not as smooth and as fast as they are today. When I first took up golf in the 70's the greens were relatively slow and could not compete with the new hybrid grasses of today; for another thing the equipment to mow at micro-heights was not possible on equipment of that era. Conclusion--the myth still could be true that they were better putters years ago; then again, who knows?

By: Baynative

Baynative — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 18:24:38 +0000

Dave, you mentioned - "I know that I will always take the 100 yard shot over the 50-60 yard one 99% of the time."

I took that advice from our pro a few years ago. It included learning some discipline. But, I finally learned that (in assessing the shot) if I am not confident that I could put three balls out of five on the green below the flag, I'm better off to put myself 90 -105 away at the best angle of approach I can manage.

Sometimes I take flack for laying up from 220 but the scores prove the theory.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 16:53:57 +0000

Koster, you are a genuis. The "Myth Busting" idea is great and you hit home run with this piece. I hope this puts to rest once and for all the idea that bombing it off the tee means you'll get it closer to the hole with your irons. Developing an accurate tee game is of the utmost. Even so, I'm gonna try and kill it off the tee on Friday. Because its fun.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 16:46:08 +0000

Hans,

You make a good point about having a full swing. I would hope (and think) most pros already take this into consideration. I know that I will always take the 100 yard shot over the 50-60 yard one 99% of the time.

Even though the two skills (Driving and Short Game) are very separate skills, how you manage driving/distance can affect the short iron/wedge game.

Thanks for the comment!

By: Hans

Hans — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 14:58:25 +0000

Re: Myth #1

David Pelz has some great analysis of this particular issue in his book "David Pelz's Short Game Bible". Basically, Pelz argues that the driving game and the short game are two different skill sets that do not correlate with one another.

The other point that Pelz brought up that was interesting is to remind is that hitting a full-swing shot is much easier than trying to hit a "partial" swing shot. So, Pelz says that just because you can blast the ball far, but leave yourself a 50 yard shot doesn't mean you will get it any closer because trying to hit that 50 yard shot require some adjustments to your swing. If I remember correctly, Pelz suggests that you try and hit the ball to a distance where you can make a full swing with a wedge or other short iron.