How do you go about approach shots?

[soloredd]

Just curious how you all take your approach shots? For example, I have a par 3 on my home course that plays 170. For me this is a solid (not hard) 6 iron. Front of green, according to skycaddie, is 155. There is water to carry up to the front of the green. On holes like this, how do you take your distance and club decision? Is it always to middle of green or do you play to front and try to let it roll a bit?

[right handed phil mickelson]

Just curious how you all take your approach shots? For example, I have a par 3 on my home course that plays 170. For me this is a solid (not hard) 6 iron. Front of green, according to skycaddie, is 155. There is water to carry up to the front of the green. On holes like this, how do you take your distance and club decision? Is it always to middle of green or do you play to front and try to let it roll a bit?

After a long time of practicing, I've gotten to the point in my game where I can hit the ball as high or as low as I need to. On this shot, to make sure I'd clear the water, I'd take a 5 iron (185 club), and hoist that sucker into the air. Make sure I get to the back of the green (or the middle at the least) and stay there. I don't want to flirt with the water at all. I try to stay as far away from the hazards as possible.

[Harmonious]

A lot depends on what is behind the green. Is it relatively easy to get up and down from there? If so, I would definitely err on going long rather than short. The way I look at it, the worse I will make is 4 from the back. If I go in the water, I'm looking at 5 at best.

Also, what is the wind doing? You say 170 to the center, but hitting into a 10 mph wind makes that distance closer to 180.

Par is a good score on any par 3. At your stated level of play, I wouldn't try to get too fancy. Just hit to the center of the green (erring on the long side). Good luck.

[Paradox]

depends for me. I have a really high ball flight with my irons so usually if I hit the green, it sticks or spins back. That means I have to carry further than someone who gets rollout.

In your case..i have 155 to the front of the green...I could pump up a 9 iron just a bit(from 150 and try to carry) but its a risky shot with water in front. Rules that club out. My 8 is from 160-165 so if theres also a little trouble in back..this would probably be my club choice. Keeps me out of the water with just a decent swing and if I hit it my best..I'm not going long. my 7 iron is dead on 170 so if I'm feelin great with the irons that day it would be my club, no doubt about it.

Alas, this doesn't factor into the equation any wind or elevation changes, either.

[alomar123]

If it was closer Id be more aggressive, but in this case just avoid the hazard.

[cody west]

it all depends on where the pin is. i tend to ignore hazards because from 170 you should look to fly it where you need to land it anyway so if the pin is in the front i would play the center but if the pin was at all back i would go right at it and be very aggressive because there is a lot of room for error. i would say all carry all the distance to the middle of the green because 2 putts pars aren't bad

[ohiolefty]

Depends on the 'real' yardage to the PIN (factoring in elevation, wind, humidity and/or temperature) and what club that leaves you with.

If it's a yardage where I'm hitting a 6 iron or below...I play to the pin. I know from a six iron down, I can make all my irons hit and stop.

If I'm going above a six iron, I try and play the 'real' yardage to the front of the green (nearest my line, not the front of the green relative to the teebox that they use for yard markers - this is where GPS or [at your home course] local knowledge/yardage book helps) and factor in that it will trace up. Also, if the pin is front I might shave a few yards off of that as well.

[Gerald]

Lots of duplicated questions, will the next question be we have a 236 yds par 3 at our home course, we have a 330 yds par 4 at our home course, it has a big fairway bunker on the right at 210 yds and a pond on the left side of the green starting at 300 yds, the elevated green has a steep drop on the left (towards the pond) a big steady slope at the front, rough at the back and a very deep bunker along the right side..... are you going for the green with your teeshot or would you play an iron short of the fairway bunker, a 8i - pw to the pin and 2 putts .... etc.

[nike_golf]

I too, hit my irons high. 170 out would be a 5 iron for me which I would hit right at the pin.

I envision hitting it beyond the flag about 5 yards w/ a few yards of back spin on the ball.

I wouldn't care what kind of hazards there are or where the hazards are at. You go flag hunting!

[saevel25]

155 to the front 170 to mthe middle. I would makes sure i take a 160-165 club if the hole is upfront or in the middle, and 170-175 club if the hole is in the back, given no wind, and its relatively flat. So basically the whole is broken down to two clubs for me.

[Sliceapotomus]

I agree with another poster...

It all depends on what is behind the green. Is that an easy up and down? I think the biggest mistake that any beginner golfer (like myself) makes, is that you shoot directly for the flag every time.

I tend you aim 5 yards below the hole and just get roll out!