Is Distance Really That Important for Amateurs?

[4Aces]

There are two games in question, the game you are playing today and the game you are trying to get to. I'll focus on today's game. Hole strategy should be handled backwards from the green. Too many amateurs try to hit it as far as they can off the tee, then as far as they can on the next until they reach the green. If your best tee shot *today* is 225 and your best 3W is 200  and the hole is 440 then way even consider hitting the green in two?  Instead plan on two high percentage shots to move you down the fairway to your best iron distance. Accuracy is your friend in this scenario. Same thing on difficult par 5s.

Now for the game you are trying to get to you need some length to play long par 4s and probably those 200 yard par 3s. But trying to hit well beyond your "normal" distance leads to embarrassing mistakes (whiffs, shanks, penalties)

[mvmac]

Because it's harder to miss with higher lofted irons. Hitting a 9 iron into a green vs a 7 iron has a lot more difference to it than just spin. Descent angle, for instance, is a pretty big deal, too.

Distance is an advantage and in the long run it will lead to lower scores because proximity to the hole will give you a better chance of having a shorter putt and more GIR.

This @nick1998bunker ^^^^^  Distance is important no matter what tees the golfer plays from.

[4Aces]

Managing distance is important. But most players will be closer with a full shot than something that is for example just over a half but not quite a 3/4. There is a go to number that you want to hit to. Plus a 45 yard shot over water and sand may be more intimidating than the 65 yard shot from the other side of the fairway without any danger.

[tqcishark]

I think the man got it right on page one.  Longer hitters tend to be more accurate.  To be a reliable long hitter you need to have some kind of reliable golf swing, which is also a prerequisite to accuracy.  I would rather place a par four drive onto short grass with no trouble between my second shot and the pin than to be 30 yards closer pitching over a greenside bunker.  But I hit either a clear 150  or a 100 - 120 with notable inaccuracy, and thats why I'm stuck on a bogey golf plateau.  Distance versus accuracy off the tee is sort of a false dilemma.  I believe to get under bogey golf I need reliable distance and accuracy with my lofted clubs, which is why I spent more time practicing with lofted clubs this season.

[dkolo]

Managing distance is important. But most players will be closer with a full shot than something that is for example just over a half but not quite a 3/4. There is a go to number that you want to hit to. Plus a 45 yard shot over water and sand may be more intimidating than the 65 yard shot from the other side of the fairway without any danger.

Those aren't the same arguments, though. The latter's introduction of the water hazard distracts from the central question of: all things being equal, is being closer better for scoring? You seem to argue that full shots offer higher chances for scoring than significantly shorter in-between distances (i.e., pitches). I think the curators of this site have presented a good pool of data in this and other threads to suggest otherwise.

[4Aces]

I'm going to side with Dave Pelz and watching players. Also a third of those responding to a poll on this site pick distances over 60 yards as their go to distances. When your nerves are rattling and you have to control distance a mid something feel shot is not as high of a percentage shot as a full swing. Too many amateurs quite on those touch shots and leave them short.

YMMV

[mvmac]

The latter's introduction of the water hazard distracts from the central question of: all things being equal, is being closer better for scoring?

Correct and we know being closer to the hole leads to lower scores.

@4Aces , welcome to the site, check out this thread

[DrvFrShow]

I think like anything else, those feel shots need practice. Those short flags at the driving range at 45, 60, and 80 yds make good targets. But who wants to waste 30 balls on those?

Water adds a psychological factor, but the water isn't in play for me. My issue is am I going to make solid contact or hit it fat. That can happen with an open shot just as often as with a water hazard. The only difference is that it costs me a ball.

[4Aces]

I also recently spent hours discussing the mental side of golf with Jon Stabler who co-authored with Dr. Deborah Graham "The 8 Traits of Champion Golfers". This was a point he makes in his workshop. He has worked with over 300 professionals on all the major tours. When the pressure is on find your most comfortable distance. That may be a 90 yard gap wedge. Avoid the in between shots, the shots requiring delicate touch. You like being close and having to flop something to a short pin? Great. That's your comfort shot. I'd rather be a bit farther back and hit something firmer. But to make a blanket statement that everyone should always try to be as close to the green as possible doesn't ring true with me.

[iacas]

I also recently spent hours discussing the mental side of golf with Jon Stabler who co-authored with Dr. Deborah Graham "The 8 Traits of Champion Golfers". This was a point he makes in his workshop. He has worked with over 300 professionals on all the major tours. When the pressure is on find your most comfortable distance. That may be a 90 yard gap wedge. Avoid the in between shots, the shots requiring delicate touch. You like being close and having to flop something to a short pin? Great. That's your comfort shot. I'd rather be a bit farther back and hit something firmer. But to make a blanket statement that everyone should always try to be as close to the green as possible doesn't ring true with me.

Things which do not ring true are not necessarily wrong. Often they are true. Keep your mind open.

[4Aces]

After Forty years of playing and countless tournaments I know what works for me. I've also heard enough pros talk about being "between clubs", I've also watched a lot of tournament shots. The toughest shots for amateurs to consistently hit well are partial shots that they rarely practice.

Your Mileage May Vary.

[golfbarefoot]

Sadly, it's true. Distance is what it is. The dude iacas' responses are accurate. Anyone that thinks otherwise in regards to distance off the tee, is mistaken. It's vital.. And makes the game a whole lot easier.... Think of it this way... otherwise there would only be one set of tees, the tips....

[iacas]

After Forty years of playing and countless tournaments I know what works for me. I've also heard enough pros talk about being "between clubs", I've also watched a lot of tournament shots. The toughest shots for amateurs to consistently hit well are partial shots that they rarely practice.  Your Mileage May Vary. :beer:

So much for the open mind bit. Hey, it's not like we had guys hit thousands of shots or anything… oh… wait…

[Dave2512]

Many well known golf experts have been mistaken about the distance argument. The data proves them wrong. Closer is better, the numbers to support it are easy to find.

[mvmac]

Pros hit it closer from shorter distances.
http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.076.2014.html http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.074.2014.html

[4Aces]

So many people have watched so many players and watched and logged so many shots then arrived at different opinions. Pelz and Stabler (short game and mental game guys) came up with a conclusion that has worked for me. Now I read something from someone on the internet that has also done the same research, came with a different conclusion, and I should abandon everything and totally change? For how long? Until someone else comes along, watches thousands of shots, and arrives at a different conclusion . . .

As I said YMMV. It seems both of our minds are made up doesn't it

[golfbarefoot]

I can imagine you're not a long hitter and it's hard to swallow... that's why you are fighting it. Listen, these guys you're arguing with like the guy iacas are only telling you the truth based on their analysis. They are being honest. I hate that distance is so crucial too.. But the faster you accept the scientific and statistical evidence, you're better off. Last question... Why did PGA recently incorporate the program: Tee it forward?

[billchao]

The toughest shots for amateurs to consistently hit well are partial shots that they rarely practice.

That's why they think they're better with a full swing than a partial shot in the first place, because they practice their full swing all the time and never work on partial swings, so they think they're better with the full swing. Too bad the stats prove otherwise, then maybe they'd spend a tiny bit of time hitting partial shots and they'd have them in the bag, too. You're a Pelz follower, right? Isn't that what his wedge system is all about?