Approach Shots

[iacas]

A quote currently heading up some idiot's site:

America has developed a more or less stereotyped shot to the green that is the high, all-carry shot...It is much simpler to play a high carry shot to a soft green which gets water than to attempt a pitch and run to a green with a cement like approach. - WILLIAM FLYNN

I tend to agree that a lot of American courses are well guarded in the front and don't favor the run-up shot. Soft approach areas just short of the green don't favor the run-up shot, either, nor does playing with a ball like the Pro V1 (the V1x, obviously, is slightly more suitable).

However, my home course is open in front of every green, at least half of the green. My course's greens are skinny but pretty deep. They let you roll the ball up, and when I've gotten into trouble, I've done just that a few times. I also think that the "high, soft" shot is overrated. I love to play knockdown little spinners and skippers and skidders (all behave somewhat differently in my book), depending on the flag position. I barely need to carry it onto the green for those three to work.

[dipgolf]

Would you agree that newer courses seem to be limiting most approaches to be carried high and soft compared to the run up shot? It may just be me, but it seems new courses (such as the ones that seem to be popping up everywhere in Florida with over priced houses surrounding them) use water or sand to guard most of the greens. I sometimes think that they add these hazards for the aesthetic side first then playabilty side second.

[iacas]

Would you agree that newer courses seem to be limiting most approaches to be carried high and soft compared to the run up shot? It may just be me, but it seems new courses (such as the ones that seem to be popping up everywhere in Florida with over priced houses surrounding them) use water or sand to guard most of the greens. I sometimes think that they add these hazards for the aesthetic side first then playabilty side second.

I wouldn't. I think that in certain areas, sure... and I call that "bad architecture," which you'll find all over Florida.

But a bit more seriously, I think that during the late 70s, 80s, and early 90s, architecture saw a lot of interest in creating truly "American" golf - "fly it and stop it" approach shots. Recently, we've seen a bit of a turn back to more linksy type courses - open greens. If there are hazards, they seem to be a bit more Ross-like - 30 to 50 yards short of the green, still allowing a run-up and punishing only the really bad shots. But that's just a guess... I really can't say, of course, as I haven't seen every new course built since 1975.

[muskegman]

Great subject... most local courses I've played allow some bump and run. Very often the grass is too deep around the apron to allow much bump and run. Sloped greens and narrow bump and run areas ususally have me trying to hit little partial wedges that pop up and stop fairly quickly.

[Be Still]

So this thread is roughly 16 and a half year old, but I enjoyed reading it and though things like this on golf courses are still relevant for discussion so please don't mind if I would add my experience.  I once belong to a small club for 15 years, Crystalaire cc.  The course was built in the 50's by Billy Bell Jr.  His course allowed for a run up shots with just the exception of about four or so greens.  The course sort of change its firmness throughout the year.  I really didn't know how to play it till I played with a teach and said to just roll the ball up onto the green.  That was an amazing way to play!!  Of course, I couldn't do it well at first, but my point is just knowing it and being able to do it was a great tool in the bag.

The course I frequent now is a military course.  The front 9 was built by the same Billy Bell Jr., and the back nine is by another designer, and I also don't know when it was added.  You'd really need to fly onto the green as it's protected by either water, bunkers, or just steep slope up.  Not a fan of it, but it's a good track.

[nvkevin]

Nearly every green at my local/home course is open in the front. 3 holes have elevated greens, and 2 of the par 3’s have either water or pits between the tees and pin. Other than those, almost every other green is open from the approach, at least half of the green. 

[p1n9183]

In my opinion, I think that is easier to control distance when you only have 1 variable in play. 
If you hit it high soft with 0 carry then you only need to worry about carry, but if you play it to land and roll now you also need to consider the amount of roll and also the slopes in the green to know in with direction the ball is going to bounce and turn to, more slopes you have, more unpredictable the bounce and roll is going to be. 

If the wind allow it, I definitively go for a mid-high approach shot, if I have a strong with in my face i go for the low spinner that also land soft and stop in a dime. 

[roejye]

Every hole on my home course is open in the front or very lightly guarded. There are only 2 holes where doing the run up is difficult. One is a pretty elevated and small green, the other is a drivable par 4 that has bunkers on the left side and in front. There is an alleyway on that hole, but it's pretty tight.