How Would You Play This Hole (#5, Links at Firestone Farms)

[pganapathy]

It essentially depends on two things.  The danger around the green when going for it and the ability for a driver to hold the green.  If the bunker and rough is penalising, then laying up makes sense.  If it would be pretty easy to play out of, go for it.  The other factor is holding a green when you hit a driver.  If that is difficult to do and either needs you to land short and run on, or will lead to you running over the green, then that needs to be weighed.  Essentially, your second shot should be easier than a 50 to yard shot in.

[Darkfrog]

If I was hitting driver well prior to this hole I’d go for the green because it’s fun. I’d aim at the left center of the green. When I’m in sync with driver, my driver misses are almost exclusively left of target. I typically get around 270 carry on good swings. Doubt I’d carry all the way to the green in a headwind, but I’d probably be short in the large bunker, short in the rough in front of the green, or left in the fairway.

If I wasn’t feeling good with driver, I’d probably hit a 4-iron, 3h, or 5W to the left of the large bunker and try to leave a 50-75 yard shot into the green.

[boogielicious]

10 hours ago, billchao said:

My group was with @iacas, @klineka, and myself who played from the Burgundy tees, with @Hardspoon playing from the Black tees.

I assume that I would be playing from the chartreuse or taupe tees because I can only hit my driver 265 with a 30 mph tail wind! 😜 My shot zone is set up for a draw, so I would likely aim toward the back left bunker with driver and not try to carry the right side green. If the wind is slightly left to right and I execute, I would be in the area to the left of the green.

[CarlSpackler]

7 hours ago, DrvFrShow said:

Going for it might net an occasional eagle but also could end up in bogeyville.

Or worse. ⛄

[CarlSpackler]

20 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

I assume that I would be playing from the chartreuse or taupe tees

I played the black tees (one forward of burgundy tees) since it was about 6300. On several holes including this one, the gold and burgundy tees seemed to be similar length with a better angle.

[DaveP043]

Assuming I could reach the green, even considering the wind. I'd probably be aiming driver at the "center" bunker, or a few yards right of it, between the bunker and the green.  That leaves a lot of room both left and right of my intended line.  Using my actual driving distance, and knowing its into a stiff wind, I'd still hit driver, but just a few yards further left, trying to split the fairway.

[mcanadiens]

If the tees were so far forward that I actually had a chance to hit the green, it would mostly depend on the bunkers themselves and how well or poorly I've been hitting out of sand.

Looks like a nice course so I assume there is decent sand in those bunkers. When I actually practice bunker shots (and it's been a while), I can get out of them ok. So I'd want to know how big a lip I'd have to negotiate on the big bunker and what the chances are of catching a fried egg.

Anything less than reasonable confidence coming out of the sand would mean the layup. Probably targeting halfway between the two smaller bunkers on the left. 

[billchao]

I ended up voting how I should have played it, which is to lay up. It’s a short hole and the risk of going for it is too great versus the reward.

That said, I went for it because it was the fun thing to do and I was pretty sure I’d probably never play there again.

[iacas]

Nobody saying “driver” is correct given the question: if you want to shoot the lowest score on average.

Laying up here is certainly the less interesting play but scores are going to be higher going for the green.

Your Shot Zones are huge compared to the green, folks. And there’s a penalty area right beside the green. Very dark.

[DaveP043]

16 minutes ago, billchao said:

I ended up voting how I should have played it, which is to lay up. It’s a short hole and the risk of going for it is too great versus the reward.

That said, I went for it because it was the fun thing to do and I was pretty sure I’d probably never play there again.

I voted "go for it", but my answer is kind of a hybrid.  If I actually could hit it that far, I'd be trying to hit it nearly green-high, but aiming well left of the green to minimize my chances of hitting it into the " @billchao rough" to the right.

[iacas]

20 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

I voted "go for it", but my answer is kind of a hybrid.  If I actually could hit it that far, I'd be trying to hit it nearly green-high, but aiming well left of the green to minimize my chances of hitting it into the " @billchao rough" to the right.

That’s a penalty area.

[Brad Hawkins]

As I'm new to this forum, I should say I play in the UK and off 10.6 hcp. I'd hit a low 4 iron off a low tee peg and hopefully leave myself about 85yds to the pin, which, into a strong headwind would have to be a solidly struck knock down punch into the green with an 8 or maybe 9 iron. (Don't think I'd risk putting one up into the air too much). Likelihood is though, that my 4 iron would climb a bit and I'd end up with the thick end of 120 yds to go (which is still a good percentage shot with an 8 iron knock down punch). Then I'd go on and probably 3 putt it like I mostly do!!

[Yukari]

12 hours ago, HJJ003 said:

I would lay up given the scenario you laid out. I have the length currently to reach with no head wind, but into a severe headwind no chance so might as well take the bunkers out of play. Depending on how severe the headwind is might hit anything from a 3w to 5i to accomplish that. 

this would be my answer

[Vinsk]

36 minutes ago, iacas said:

Nobody saying “driver” is correct given the question: if you want to shoot the lowest score on average.

Laying up here is certainly the less interesting play but scores are going to be higher going for the green.

Your Shot Zones are huge compared to the green, folks. And there’s a penalty area right beside the green. Very dark.

My driver is my lay up. I’m quite confident in my driver and could hit the fairway and avoid that bunker. Even in the bunker I’m confident to make par. 

[Beastie]

Who on here can carry a  driver 265 into a “severe headwind”? It’s a lay up in stroke play even down wind. Match play it depends on the game situation. If I was to go for it I’d be aiming left of the green and fade it back. 

[iacas]

19 minutes ago, Vinsk said:

My driver is my lay up. I’m quite confident in my driver and could hit the fairway and avoid that bunker. Even in the bunker I’m confident to make par. 

It said assume you carry your driver 265.

[klineka]

1 minute ago, Beastie said:

Who on here can carry a  driver 265 into a “severe headwind”? 

A number of us can, @billchao did it in the round and had like 25 feet for eagle.

Plus it was 265 to the center of the green, which means it was only like 250-255 to the front edge.

I wasn't hitting my driver great that day but a well struck drive for me can carry that, especially since it was a bit downhill.

Driver still isn't the play even though on a normal driving day I'm long enough to carry it.

[iacas]

1 minute ago, klineka said:

Plus it was 265 to the center of the green, which means it was only like 250-255 to the front edge.

Downhill too.

Still not the "best" play for the question though. 😄