Laying back on short Par 4's

[blackxpress]

Why not give it a whirl and see how it works out for you? My home course has some short par 4s and I usually hit driver and do pretty well. Pitches and chips inside 50 yds are my forte though. That said, last Saturday I played 18 and shot 42 on the front. I was struggling a little to keep my driver in the fairway. Just for giggles and grins I decided to play the back 9 with irons only. Shot 39. Instead of my driver I hit my 4 iron off the tees on the par 4 holes. I managed to put it pretty much dead center of the fairway with a nice short iron approach. Not sure I want to play the course that way all the time but I just might. There's something to be said for standing on the tee box with a reasonable amount of confidence you're going to be in the fairway in good shape. Of course, if I could hit my driver like you I'd probably just go to the range and work really hard on my chips and pitches.

[Chief Broom]

I also believe in the closer to the hole is better axiom, but where I'll deviate from that is if there is trouble on the hole I need to avoid.  Trouble can be bunkers, or water, but it also can be what for me is the ideal direction for my next shot to be into the green (or further lay up as the case may be).  I let the way I need to attack the hole determine what club I'll be playing.  This doesn't just encompass drivable par 4's but also second shots into greens and on par 5's.  Blow up scores usually occur when someone attempts a high risk shot they simply do not have.  I have no problem playing a par five driver, sandwedge, sandwedge.  It's all about putting yourself in a position to where you feel you have the best chance to pull off that shot and the shots that follow.

[kpaulhus]

Originally Posted by Chief Broom

I have no problem playing a par five driver, sandwedge, sandwedge.  It's all about putting yourself in a position to where you feel you have the best chance to pull off that shot and the shots that follow.

I absolutely hate taking my medicine on a par 5 like that. Its so painful lol. I usually end up with the better score though.

[sean_miller]

An up and down for par feel so much better than a 3-putt par. With a short iron in your hand you can (theoretically) put your approach in a good position to putt from. For me, a full 3-iron or hybrid that ends up somewhere on the green is a good shot, whereas with a SW, I'm flag hunting. Such is the price for playing a lower spin ball.

Originally Posted by kpaulhus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Broom

I have no problem playing a par five driver, sandwedge, sandwedge.  It's all about putting yourself in a position to where you feel you have the best chance to pull off that shot and the shots that follow.

I absolutely hate taking my medicine on a par 5 like that. Its so painful lol. I usually end up with the better score though.