Par 5 Strategy

[indacup]

Do you go for it on par 5s or do you leave yourself a comfortable distance for a full shot?

Zach Johnsons dad (as well as Zachs instructor Larry Gladsen) told me a few years ago that on all Par 5's you take the total yardage and deduct 100.

So lets say we have a 515 yard Par 5, I now am looking at 415 yards. Now, I decide, based on the hole layout and how well I am hitting my clubs, which two clubs have the highest probability of getting there in two shots....leaving me three to get par. A tight fairway may mean a hibrid/hibrid. Or a fairway wood and an iron. Greed is the root of all evil...in life...AND in golf!

[Sandy Sammy]

Par 5's are one the easiest holes to play for me as a high handicapper playing a long course since the average par 5 tends to only represent say another 100 yards.

I would always lay up as my distance isn't enough to reach the green in two, but they are good par opportunities for me as a high handicapper, I can be coming into the green at 80-100 yards as opposed to 180 yards which I would on typical par 4 .

[Crafty]

If there is nothing but fairway in front of the green, I am going for it no questions asked. If there is trouble, I look at how many trouble spots there are and how close they are to my target. If it's not too troublesome, I take a rip at it. If not, I try to lay up to either 75, 105, or 120 yards (favorite distances for 60, 54, and PW respectively).

[jonanthans]

I normally only go for it in two if I am 200 yds or less and there is NO water around the green or OOB within 20 yards. My strategy is greatly influenced whether or not water or out-of-bounds is in close proximity to the green. In those cases, the risk is greater than the reward. There is a 510 yard par 5 on one course we play at that has a small creek about 200 off the tee, and a slight dogleg left on the approach to the green. I play 6 iron/6 iron/6 iron to the green. To me, it gives me the best opportunity to post a good score. On the other hand, there is another hole that is over 575 yards, but absolutely no danger whatsoever and the fairways are huge, I swing out of my shoes with Driver and then try to murder a 3 wood with a draw shot to get as much roll as possible. My approach to par 5's all depends on the risk/reward.

[indacup]

If there is nothing but fairway in front of the green, I am going for it no questions asked.

If I had your handicap, I would be too! :)

[bogeyhitter25]

All I want to do on a par 5 is drive it in the fairway. It makes it a lot easier for a birdie chance. I usually lay up to a comfortable pitching/sand wedge distance.

[mountaineer maniac0823]

Im pretty confident with my woods and my short game chipping so I just look to put the ball in the fairway off the tee and if no trouble to clear in front of the green, Im going to go for it.

[Quinn07]

My strategy falls in line with most of the post here. I usually look at the trouble around the green and asses my risks from there. Usually if I am around 200 I give myself a green light. Anything around 215 and longer I usually lay up as I am pretty confident with my wedges.

[imtomtomim]

grip it and rip it lol

As long as I've got a line of sight, or I know I can go up and over, I'll do it. I don't like to lay up to a full shot distance because who knows if I can put it on from out there. I'd rather get closer than 50 yards so I can chip it close or play some kind of close wedge recovery shot. The further away I am, the less I see, the less I pay attention to out there. The closer I am, the more details I get and it'll usually play better.