Unforced Errors

[Mr.Buckethead]

A letter in the latest Golf Digest complained that golf announcers should not be using the term "unforced errors" in golf. His rationale was that since in golf there is no such thing as a forced error, then there cannot be an unforced error.

The letter writer then rhetorically asked someone to provide him with an example of a "forced error".


What do you think? Can you think of examples of "forced errors"?

I think that course layout could lend itself to created forced errors on the part of a player. Sucker pins, tough bunkers, narrow landing strip for drives, tee boxes pointing you just off target....these things could perhaps cause forced errors.

[iacas]

A letter in the latest Golf Digest complained that golf announcers should not be using the term "unforced errors" in golf. His rationale was that since in golf there is no such thing as a forced error, then there cannot be an unforced error.

Those are still unforced errors. The golfer doesn't have to aim at them - they can aim at the middle of the greens, etc.

There's no such thing as a forced error in golf. I'm with the reader who wrote in.

[Puttin4Bird]

At first I was going to agree that those elements would lean toward forced errors, but Erik made a good point and I agree. You always have an option to play to the safe spot or to lay up, so regardless of the course setup I'd have to agree there are no unforced errors.

The only thing I can even think of that might lean even close would be weather situations. Even then there are still options and various shots you can play.

[Shindig]

A letter in the latest Golf Digest complained that golf announcers should not be using the term "unforced errors" in golf. His rationale was that since in golf there is no such thing as a forced error, then there cannot be an unforced error.

The closest thing to a forced error in most golf is when you let your buddies goad you into going for a sucker pin that you shouldn't have gone for, or for hitting driver when a 3-Iron will leave you an easy shot onto the green.

I guess in match play, if you absolutely must go for a pin / go for the green in 2 / etc to have a chance at winning or pushing the hole, it could be close to a forced error, but... there are 18 holes: if you do this on any individual hole, it isn't really required, and if you're in a situation where you must make a low percentage play to have a chance on all 18, your opponent has outplayed you anyway.

[Divot Tool]

What about a forced carry of 175 yards over water/marsh with OB on the left and trees on the right..... Anything short is in the drink, and left or right is trouble...would that qualify as a forced error?

[iacas]

What about a forced carry of 175 yards over water/marsh with OB on the left and trees on the right..... Anything short is in the drink, and left or right is trouble...would that qualify as a forced error?

Nope: you're playing from the wrong tees if you can't carry the ball 175. Seriously. If you can't hit your longest club 175 yards in the air, and there's a hole that asks you to do that, you're playing the wrong tees. Nobody's forcing you to do so. Perhaps the course designer is a jerk (and for 17 other holes, you are on the correct tees), but that doesn't "force" you to make an error. It doesn't "force" you to hit a slice, top the ball, pull it OB, or do anything else dumb.

There are no forced errors in golf. None. I dare anyone to come up with one that's valid. It's the whole beauty of the sport - the only opponent is yourself, truly.

[Q.Q.Quillume]

What about a forced carry of 175 yards over water/marsh with OB on the left and trees on the right..... Anything short is in the drink, and left or right is trouble...would that qualify as a forced error?

Sounds like a pretty nice par-3!

Go here http://big-cats.com/#end to see one I played last fall. Footnote Woops -- I see the link doesn't actually take you to the hole. In the highly unlikely event you are interested, click on the Lion's Head for the Lion's Paw Course, then click on #3 to see the hole.

[Fourputt]

The only forced errors in golf are the ones we inflict upon ourselves.... and by definition that makes them unforced as they are not put upon us by any actions but our own.

I had never thought of it before, but that IS a pretty dumb thing for a golf commentator to say...

[Ziophils]

If you need to go for a pin you wouldn't normally go for in match play then play a bad shot then that is a forced error. Your opponent has made you make this error by outplaying you.

[P3R3]

If a bird takes a crap on your head mid swing I think that is a forced error.