235 Out on This Par Five - What's the Play?

[MizunoPez]

With the information that you provided I'd try and play a cut into the green with a 3 iron. If it rolls on great, if not an up and down for birdie.

[MizunoPez]

Depends how ballsy you are feeling on the day too. But if you are hitting it well like you said then I'd be going for it in 2.

[TJBam]

With that green I want to be able to stick the Ball close with a wedge. So my shot would either be a 3H 210 yds with rollout to give me a chip into the pin without dealing with the bizarre green. In Erik's case I am going long past the green and chipping back up from the backside.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by Ernest Jones

Yeah, awesome thread idea, reminds of the chess problems they used to put in the newspaper next to the cryptic crossword. I hope it becomes a new feature if TST, a monthly course management problem.

The only problem is that we are all of such different capabilities that our solutions would vary for that reason.  I wouldn't ven THINK about going for the green because I can't get there.

Originally Posted by Dave2512

I'd be all over it if people could keep it real. Not the usual I hit my driver off the deck 320 on a 656 yd par 5 to a tucked pin for an albatross but I play to a 26 because I can't putt and I take too many risks but I'm a good athlete nonsense. Though I doubt I could participate because it would be something like this is what I wanted to do but I chunked a 7i and blew a pitch over the green on the way bogey, if I'm lucky.

Yeah, don't you just hate it when you you make the smart play and it all turns to poop because of a failure to execute the smart play well.

[MS256]

Originally Posted by turtleback

Yeah, don't you just hate it when you you make the smart play and it all turns to poop because of a failure to execute the smart play well.

Ha ha! We have a par 4 with OB all the way down both the left and right sides. The "smart" play is to hit a 3 iron off of the tee. Leaves about 150 to 170 yards into the green.

A few weeks ago something came over me and I decided to play it smart (it happens occasionally). Hooked it OB. I've hit a driver on that hole every time since then and striped it right down the middle every time. Even if I eventually do hit the driver OB at least I'm having better birdie opportunities in the meantime.

Nothing worse than blowing a layup.

[RandallT]

Seems like a 235yard fade against the wind is tough to pull off for a makeable eagle putt. If you don't hit it right, you could be down the back left hill, in the front bowl, in the right bunker, or in an unpredictable lie back right. For either of our skill levels, I'd keep the round in control and play for the flat fairway at 100yds (course says there is fairway slope at 110yds). That's a distance from which birdie is common for you (and possible for me) and you are in control of the next shot mostly, not relying on getting a good lie on one of the likely misses above if you go for the green.

[Shaupeen]

My first thought would be a medium high fade with my 3 wood aimed just left of the green.  I could drop it in softly and stop it on the green.  Then a second thought would creep in - where would my miss go?  And that would get me thinking about splitting the distance for the GIR.  I think the wind speed would help in my decision, but I try to go with my first, gut decision.  Finally, I'd pull the 3 wood and silence the gallery so they wouldn't interrupt my playing partner's swing.

[Chilli Dipper]

Since I'm a lefty, I'd try to hit a 3-iron draw that lands on the front third of the green, then releases to the hole. If it doesn't draw, I'm in the left-hand greenside bunker with a lot of green to work with, and I like my chances of getting up-and-down.

That's probably not the right answer, though.

[Lihu]

Is this where you plan to hold the Sand Trap Open? If so, it's really beautiful. I also like the website you created for the course. If I were you, I would play the hybrid, which flies 225 to 235 and I assume a roll of another 5 to 10 yards on level ground.There is a ramp just before the green, if you land anywhere in front of it, the ball should slow down before it gets onto the green. The flag indicates that it is in the center of the green, so the "5 to 10" yards of roll should slowly roll it towards the pin. If I were making that shot, I would need a 3w and hope that it goes in the general direction, but the above is what I would be trying to do.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by Stretch

Think I'd try to hit it into the bowl on the front left of the green with the hybrid and two putt for birdie from there.

I think this is what the answer will be.  Or even more specifically, just short of the green, coming close to the front edge.

[notsohard]

lay up, easy chip..birdie...OLE!!

[TourSpoon]

I'm still taking the hybrid on the red line (just inside left bunker) notsohard has in the last post with a cut which, if executed, puts you on the back middle of the green. Over cut is safe on right side of the green, straight gives you a pitch with a good part of the green to work with, and if you tug it a little and catch the bunker you can still be in play for a birdie. This pin is not a green light, it would be a yellow. Anything getting cute with the trees would be dead.

[billchao]

My choice is 3 iron straight at the gap. With the wind and the slope of the green you should come up short of everything. You leave yourself an uphill pitch/chip with the most green to work with. Should be a pretty straight forward up and down for birdie from there.

I wouldn't cut the hybrid because if you hit it straight, you're dead. 15-20 feet above you to the narrowest part of the green is practically begging for a high score.

Maybe its just how I see it, but just because the hole is reachable doesn't make it an easy eagle. Too many hazards in play, go with the higher percentage birdie.

[mchepp]

When the discussion slows down I'll share what I strongly feel (and what Dave strongly feels, and a big part of the reason we're writing a book) is the correct answer.

I will be interested to see how statistics plays into your answer. The statistics strongly say that going for it gives the best score, but factors like wind, trees, pin position can change the scenario.

[nick1998bunker]

Go for it!!! The only time you ever want to lay up is if you are 100 percent certain you can get a wedge inside an easy chip or bunker shot.(which is rarely ever for most) hit your hybrid and go for the middle of the green ,you have the perfect club, and if you hit a large cut you can get it to chase up near the hole...

[nick1998bunker]

My choice is 3 iron straight at the gap. With the wind and the slope of the green you should come up short of everything. You leave yourself an uphill pitch/chip with the most green to work with. Should be a pretty straight forward up and down for birdie from there. I wouldn't cut the hybrid because if you hit it straight, you're dead. 15-20 feet above you to the narrowest part of the green is practically begging for a high score. Maybe its just how I see it, but just because the hole is reachable doesn't make it an easy eagle. Too many hazards in play, go with the higher percentage birdie.

The easy birdie/eagle is to hit a high cut to the middle of the green(if there is risk of it going straight then hit a straight shot there) that way it is safe on the green and has a chance to get close... Worst scenario you are in the left trap

[tigerwoodsyall]

isn't it obvious? cut a hybrid onto the green.. at least try.. :)

[tomvk77]

3wd aim just right of the left bunker and try to fade one to the pin