Conservative vs. Risky

[right handed phil mickelson]

I don't know how many people do this. I just came back about 10 minutes ago and played 9 holes on my home course. I played two balls: A conservative ball, and a risky ball. Take for example a par 5. conservative ball = lay up and on in three (hopefully). Risky ball = go for it in two (hopefully).

My scores didn't necessarily surprise me.

Conservative ball = 41/36
Risky ball = 39/36

Putts:

Conservative ball = 15
Risky ball = 12

Now I don't know really how accurate this is since I'm hitting two shots, so I will do this for 5 rounds in all and see what happens. What I'm trying to figure out is if playing a 'risky ball', so to speak, fits my game better than playing a 'conservative ball.' Has anybody else tried this out? From the looks of it, I think it helps a player figure out what to hit in risky vs. conservative pressure-oriented situations. I'll keep you updated on my next 4 rounds and what I find. In the meantime, try it out yourself. You may be surprised.

[wedge player]

I don't know how many people do this. I just came back about 10 minutes ago and played 9 holes on my home course. I played two balls: A conservative ball, and a risky ball. Take for example a par 5. conservative ball = lay up and on in three (hopefully). Risky ball = go for it in two (hopefully).

i always go for it never lay up,never hit at center always aim for flag

[right handed phil mickelson]

have you tried playing conservatively? I see that its working for you, but maybe you do better conservatively. Or maybe you do better playing conservative on par 5's? maybe on par 3's? Thats what I'm trying to find out and it will help you become a better golfer.

[wedge player]

have you tried playing conservatively? I see that its working for you, but maybe you do better conservatively. Or maybe you do better playing conservative on par 5's? maybe on par 3's? Thats what I'm trying to find out and it will help you become a better golfer.

ive tried if i do play conserevetly i play about 3-4 strokes worse i dont commit to safe shots i foucus wen its all or nothing thats just my .02 though

[powerfader]

That's an interesting idea, although like you say getting two bites at the cherry makes the conclusions you can draw from it somewhat limited. I spend most rounds fighting the urge to be a hero, I suppose you just have to take calculated risks. In competitions I tend to play like Margaret Thatcher but in friendly rounds (and matchplay) I'm more like Fidel Castro.

[right handed phil mickelson]

ive tried if i do play conserevetly i play about 3-4 strokes worse i dont commit to safe shots i foucus wen its all or nothing thats just my .02 though

fair enough

[gasfreak]

I used to go for everything,lately I have been using my head a litle more.I still go for the easy ones but if it's too much risk I play it safe and my scores reflect it,over all dropped about 3-4 strokes.Course management my friend it does work

[right handed phil mickelson]

I used to go for everything,lately I have been using my head a litle more.I still go for the easy ones but if it's too much risk I play it safe and my scores reflect it,over all dropped about 3-4 strokes.Course management my friend it does work

Yup. That is one of the easiest ways to drop strokes for an amateur.

[right handed phil mickelson]

I also had two chip-ins on that front nine. Both occured on the 'risky ball's score.

Freaky.

Also, my scores were much more consistent on the conservative ball.

par- 5/4/4/3/5/4/4/3/4

Conservative ball- 7/5/4/3/5/4/4/4/5
Risky ball- 5/3/4/3/6/5/4/3/6

[iacas]

The key is to mix conservative and risky depending on the conditions, your game that day, the hole's own risk/reward setup, etc.

[right handed phil mickelson]

The key is to mix conservative and risky depending on the conditions, your game that day, the hole's own risk/reward setup, etc.

Ah I would have bet all the money I have and would ever get that you would reply to this Iacas. And say something along those lines. I know that mixing both of them is the best route to go, but what im saying is when? Par 3s? Par 4s? Par 5s? 300 yard holes? 400 yard holes? 500 yard holes? 600 yard holes? over water? bunkers in front of green? Its all course management and it varies on every course. Now that we got that out of the way, its all left to how you play the most: Conservative, or risky? This also reflects putting: do you lag it to the hole, or do you jam it in?

[Brakkus]

For the higher handicaps you have to have the first thought is always conservative.If you shoot high 90's to low 100's then conservative has to drop you strokes,but as you lower the handicap then 2 shots to a green is much more possible and that's when risk reward becomes much more of an important facet of golf.

Myself ballstriking in itself is a strong part of my game,but I'm losing strokes on chipping and longer putts from about 20ft out.Also it's a bit hit and miss with that third shot into the green.Once I'm 90 yards out or more then you only have to pull or push and you then have a mini pitch or a chip effectively costing another stroke.

My rule on par 4's obviously depending on the course and the hole is to give myself a 2 shot strategy up to about 380,but then play 3 shots above that.All par 5's I take 3 shots and the worst I do is a 6.

[Prairie Golfer]

My planning and thinking are conservative, my results are risky.