Would you rather........

[uttexas]

lay up to a comfortable distance (120 yards in my case) or hit it closer to the green?

I've regularly hit it to 120 yards to lay up on long par 5s, but recently read somewhere that statistics bear out (for the average player) that you are better off hitting it as close as you can (safely) to the green.

They tested the average player from their "comfortable" distances and then from closer distances. The study found that the closer to the hole, the less dispersion and more accuracy on the shot to the flag.

This study essentially dispels the common advice to lay up to a "comfortable" distance.

[mposter]

Interesting if that study is true.

I usually decide which club is the better choice based on lie and surrounding hazards. If the lie is good and I can swing my 3-wood/rescue with little penalty (minimal hazards) then i get as close as possible. A so/so lie then I may hit 6 or 7 iron and leave a full PW or wedge into the par 5.

[Pro]

Well I rather be close to the hole but, that would cause me to hit harder and have a chance to slice the ball, so i would rather be 120yds away from the green and be safe on the fairway

[Shindig]

lay up to a comfortable distance (120 yards in my case) or hit it closer to the green?

That depends on your definition of comfortable distance. I'm quite comfortable at 35 yards - and from there, if I have the right angle and a good lie, I can go after just about any pin. Not saying I'll knock down the pin (see: my handicap), but I can't always go at a pin, even from a full wedge distance either.

In short, your comfortable distance is not limited to full swings.

[iWALK18]

That depends on your definition of comfortable distance. I'm quite comfortable at 35 yards - and from there, if I have the right angle and a good lie, I can go after just about any pin. Not saying I'll knock down the pin (see: my handicap), but I can't always go at a pin, even from a full wedge distance either.

No he is asking if you would rather put yourself right up close to the green or lay back significantly to a pre-determined

favorite distance. For most this is someplace between 80 and 120 yards. You seem to be in favor of getting as close as you can. As for my answer, I'll try to get as close as I can as long as the green is reasonably safe to shoot at. I wont hit at it if there is water in play, I won't go for it if the green is very elevated. Etc etc. I don't carry any woods though (just driver), so I wont have much chance of getting there from anywhere over 220 yards.

[opie]

I like 130. I'm very comfy with my 9 iron and thats an easy nine iron distance. I always want a full swing. My distance control with less than a full swing needs work bad. On shorter courses I'll hit irons off the tee box on par 4's to have long approaches into the greens.

The 50yd pitch is a nightmare for me right now due to distance control.. I might hit it 70 or 30 but I'm not going to be 20 yds wayward with a nine iron

[RC]

Generally, the closer the better, unless there is trouble -- also, there are some pins where being short-sided can be problematic if the lie is questionable. On those, closer with a good, flat lie is better for me.

[Shindig]

No he is asking if you would rather put yourself right up close to the green or lay back significantly to a pre-determined

That's true, and if we're counting votes, let's list me as voting for getting to 35 yards. This may not be the closest I can get, but if X+35 yards is iffy but doable, X is usually very doable.

But 35 yards is also a comfortable distance for me - I know the exact swing and club that produces it. 56° wedge, half swing. I practice my half wedges for just this purpose: so I can lay-up to them instead of full swings, especially on long par-4s. In fact, if I can lay-up to 35 yards, I'd rather that than a full swing. I think that makes it my favorite distance.

[flopdarock]

the only time i really lay up is if there is a lot of trouble guarding the green...
id much rather get as close as possible but if im not sure that my ball will stay dry or avoid some nasty sand... ill lay up as close as i think i can get to avoid any hazards

[Pinseeker81]

the only time i really lay up is if there is a lot of trouble guarding the green...

That's me too.

[Seven Iron]

I always play to my strengths. I would lay up to a comfortable wedge.

[glbrum]

I like to get as close as possible. I'm more comfortable with a SW than I am with a Gap Wedge or PW. Basically, anything 100 and in is more/most comfortable.

[uttexas]

Thanks for all the replies. Wish I could remember exactly where I read the study (I have the feeling it was a Peltz analysis---had that same verbage and feel to it)

The study basically showed (if I remember correctly) that the average golfer got closer to the pin from 100y vs 120y 80y vs 100y 60y vs 80y 40 vs 60 20 vs 40.....etc

[HSip]

The closer the better for me. But you have to factor in what club you will have to use to get it close. Hitting a 3W to try to get it close to the green may not be a safe where a 7I + PW might.

[Shindig]

The study basically showed (if I remember correctly) that the average golfer got closer to the pin from 100y vs 120y 80y vs 100y 60y vs 80y 40 vs 60 20 vs 40.....etc

I get it a lot closer from inches than I do from 20 yards. The pattern continues!

Let us know if you find the study. I'd be interested to read it.

[thedoxology]

all depends on the trouble for me but all things equal I go for it. If I can't get it there then I'll start thinking about comfortable yardages but the odd time I get it close makes up for the other times I can't get it up and down for the birdie. If there is OB or water then I'll start thinking comfortable distances, if not it's fire away.

[uttexas]

trying to find the study.

Remembering a few other things. Pelz, in his short game bible, says that tour players were most accurate with the 75% backswing (10:30 position) with their wedge. Zack Johnson echoes this in this article http://www.golf.com/golf/special/art...8701-2,00.html He recommends finding your distance by dropping 10 balls at 100 yard marker, hitting your favorite wedge 75%. The average distance is your ideal layup distance. This method requires that you are good at hitting the ball with a 10:30 or 75% backswing.

Will keep trying to find the article/study

[PiKapp23]

For me it depends on the design of the hole. As others have said I want a good lie, so I'll lay up to a flat spot instead of going at green and leaving myself a funky lie or in a bunker or the like. My ideal yardage is 75-105 (75%-90% 51* wedge). I am also pretty comfortable inside 25-30 yards, but on most holes I dislike the 40-65 yard shots because I have trouble controlling exact distance with that yardage.