Results: Big Score on Hole Caused By ...

[dave s]

Interesting, but not surprising results. According to those who kindly responded to the question about what causes a high score on a hole, what starts the 'ugly ball' (term borrowed from fellow SandTrap member) rolling is caused by:

Bad Drive - 20

Short Game / Putting - 9

Course Mgt - 6

Poor Approach Shot - 4

Everything - 4

O/B & Hazards - 3

Miracle / Hero Shot Attempts - 3

Other / Mental - 3

Commentary welcome.

dave

[golf_junkie27]

I'd vote for bad "recovery" shot/course management. Both of them, IMO, go hand-in-hand. I've done and seen so many stupid shots because "I saw it on TV" or "it worked, before."

I've learned my lesson. Playing for bogey is much better than writing down a "snowman" or "bo derek." Plus, I actually feel good knowing that I achieved a goal and don't walk to the next tee kicking myself in the butt.

[dave s]

c'mon guys and girls. I compiled all the data from the "What Causes Big Scores" on a hole thread.

As suspected, most one-legged snowmen start off with a bad drive ... and get worse from there!


dave

[srjorion]

I never dove into that thread but it sounds like some great opinions were shared. Just the other day I had a really bad hole (somewhere between a "snowman" and a "Bo Derek" ). It started with a drive into the right rough and trees. I actually attempted a smart play and tried to just punch the ball back into the fairway. Unfortunately I wound up hitting the ball way right and no where near the fairway. I did have a shot at the front edge of the green, and worst case I could put it in a great place to chip up for a bogie or double (Par 4). My luck though I wound up pushing the ball just enough to put it in a trap. Still no big deal, but I wound up hitting a terrible shot and put it right back in the bunker (not normal for me). I then punched it out over the green, chipped back over the pin then three putted.

Overall it was a very abnormal hole for me but I honestly think it was mental. My typical miss is right and I either have a shot to the green and get it close or I make a smart move and lay up in the fairway. Bunkers are not my strong point but I rarely leave one in. My chipping has been strong lately and my putting has been much better. This hole just blew up on me for some reason. I did par the next one though and I was very happy for recovering after a terrible hole.

[HytrewQasdfg]

"Drive for show, put for dough" the big lie?

I've always thought that for AMATEURS, the key to good scores was avoiding the big mistake that turns a hole into a disaster. The most common big mistake (according to your list): a bad tee shot.

[dave s]

"Drive for show, put for dough" the big lie?

Exactly. The majority of people who responded to the initial post of 'what causes a big score on a hole' indicated most big score holes begin with a bad drive.

I originally posted the question because my typical league round looked like this: 4 pars, 4 bogeys, 1 disaster! Looking back, each disaster hole started off with a bad drive. I wanted to see what caused a BIG SCORE for the rest of the folks. Many indicated the same: Bad drive. dave

[mposter]

For me, big scores always start with a poor drive. But what is interesting is that a good (or even great) drive does not always mean a great score.

A low round usually means that I hit a lot of GIR. Sure a good drive leaves an easier shot in, but if I can hit the green from the rough or even from farther away then I should my score is going to be better then average.

Lowest Round: 77

Fairways: 8/14 (2008 ave: 4)
GIR: 9 (2008 ave: 5.14)
Putts: 29 (2008 ave: 34.23)