Playing for score and playing for fun - High handicap, good player?

[MonkeyClaw]

I was reading the thread regarding the possible sandbaggers in tournaments. What about people who play for fun and keep a handicap based on that, but know they could score better if they didn't experiment or take chances on some rounds?

Things like trying to hit over trees instead of bumping under, shooting for the green and ending up in the bunker instead of laying up for an easy pitch? I find myself trying many different things on the course that the 'prudent' person wouldn't take. This makes my handicap higher than it could be. I know if I lay up on a long par 3 instead of shooting for the green, I have a better chance of scrambling for par or bogie. Or getting around a tree in two instead of trying to hit through the little hole going between the trees and missing, then either trying again or playing the 'out'.

I like these challenge shots because I think they help me hone my weak skills. Those include everything except putting from about 1 foot. But in a tournament, I could shoot a lot 'safer' shots that would guarantee me par or single bogie most of the time (double sometimes, too ). It would bring my handicap down a good deal, though.

Would this make me a sandbagger?

Note - I haven't played in any tournaments yet but I may in the near future just for fun.

How do other people play? Always for highest score? Or take a few chances when the opportunity is available? Smart or aggressive?

[m11]

I personally have a more fun time trying to hit the difficult shots. I have more fun firing at the pin than aiming for the fattest part of the green. I like hitting my driver more than my 3wood, and although i can get closer to the pin with a 100 yard shot than a 65 yard shot on short par 4's, i'd still pull driver...just because its fun for me to hit. I also like trying to reach par 5's in 2. I dont necessarily try to bomb a 3wood over water, but if it means finding a nasty bunker or thick rough, i go for it anyways. It might cost me a stroke but its just more fun for me to go for it. I also like trying new shots out. If i have an opportunity to hit a cut lob to a tight pin then i go for it instead of hitting a safe pitch and ending up a half dozen feet away..but not risking hitting a poor shot into the bunker.

In general, its the opposite of what you really should be doing to score low. I factor these rounds into my handicap as well. I'd like to add that I work very hard in improving my game. I practice hours a day to be able to hit the standard shots with full confidence when i need to. The majority of my rounds tho are spent with buddy's who are dont take the game as seriously as i do, and i feel like i have a much better time just saying **** it and going for the more difficult shot. In my opinion, its more fun to stick a 6iron to tap in than it is to shoot a 69 when i'm playing with my buddies.

however, like i said, i work hard to be able to play consistent golf. When im playing to shoot low, i calculate my risks. Im decently confident with my sand play, so i still go for the pin when the worst thing that can happen is land in the bunker. I'd take a 15 foot sand shot over having to 2 putt from 30 feet anyday...if the reward is sticking it by the pin.

Also i go for par 5's if the front of the green is open. If i'm hitting over water, i layup if im not 100percent that i can carry it with a decent shot, but if the worst case scenario is bunker..then i go for it.

Basically, i just like to look at it as... would i be happier shooting my lowest score or hitting my best shot today? When im with my hacker buddies...i dont shoot for low..when im playin with people i dont know...or am seriously competing with someone...then i play the game with calculated risks.

[mellojoe]

Well, there is a mini-movement with the group I play with that says to start keeping track of your GOOD shots, not just your overall score.

Sure, maybe you shot a 90. But, you hit 10 extremely good shots. They may be good for any reason: for me, if they go where I'm aiming, they are a good shot. For some people, it may be that "go-for-it" risk shot that you actually hit. For others, it may be that layup "safe" shot that you forced yourself to take, instead of going for it.

But, keep track of your GOOD shots each round. Then, when you are talking about your score, don't forget to mention those as well. ie: "I shot a 110, but I hit 20 really great shots this week compared to only 2 last week".

I find, as a beginner, that it makes more sense for me to do it this way.

[MonkeyClaw]

The interesting thing for me is that if I just wanted to score well, I could probably drop several strokes per round. But for now, I like to try to hit over the tree instead of around, or hit out of the deep bunker (3 times...) instead of taking an unplayable, etc. A few mis-hits out of the rough can add a few strokes right there, and I'm probably there because I played my driver instead of 3-wood. This all adds up in my handicap.

Now, lets say I play in a tournament and give them my handicap. If I score quite a bit better because I play only 'safe' shots, does this make me a sandbagger? I haven't played in any tournaments, but I've already been called a sandbagger (in jest of course). I quickly proved this guy wrong...

[GaijinGolfer]

I always go for it. The way I look at it, if you dont push yourself, how are you ever supposed to get better?
Im usually pretty fearless on the golf course. I like taking risks and trying difficult shots. Sometimes it works out, but most of the time it doesnt.

[titaniummd]

I don't see anything wrong for doing this. When I am alone or with just another person and there is no one behind me, I try some crazy 2nd shots.

I may even take a few shots experimenting with different clubs/combinations.

However I still play the 1st ball I hit (good or bad, as it may be).

[TheGolfingDetective]

I guess I stand out in that I've learned, as I slowly get my handicap down, that playing smart and taking a bogey five instead of going for the hero shot and throwing a snowman on your card just makes me walk off the course feeling better about my game. If I shoot in the low nineties, I know I hit some greens, scrambled well, and didn't have any real disaster holes (8's... or worse).

That, at my skill level, leaves me feeling more content than shooting a 101 but saying, "Man I did crush that 3 wood off the deck to the front edge of the green on that par 5."

Golf is a game of consistency, not momentary brilliance.

[MonkeyClaw]

What about hitting 2 5-irons to the green on a par 4 350 yarder instead of a driver and 9? I'm more consistent with my 5, while the likelihood of hitting the green with a 9 and 5 are about the same (not good - yet). If I mis-hit the driver, I'm looking at a double or even triple, while the 5 will give me a chance to make par, or at least a bogey.

In a tournament, I'd do this if I wasn't feeling confident about the driver. This would save me several strokes in a round.

I may try it this weekend just for fun. But it sure is nice to hit the driver!

[King Cobra II]

I've begun to manage the course better. Taking risks is fun and all, and you can always fall back on the old "well I know I could have scored 4 strokes better", but the thing is you didn't. You went for it, and you didn't get it. At the end of the day its a cop out if your saying well I gave those strokes away, I could have easily just layed up. Well what about the rare occasion when your goofy shot works out? Do you figure that into your calculations on what you "could" shoot? No probably not, you just expect that you can do it again. Not to knock on anyone who plays that way, because to be quite honest with you I agree that it can be more fun, but when it comes down to it, don't use that as an excuse for your handicap.

[GaijinGolfer]

Instead of hitting driver, you could hit a 3-wood. You have a much better chance of hitting the 3-wood well and keeping it in the fairway.
I suck with my driver too, but Im not going to avoid it just for that reason. If I dont work at it, I'll never get better with the driver.
Theres something to be said for the smart play, but theres also something to be said for playing without fear.