Consistent vs. Streaky

[Unforgiven93]

Would you rather be someone that shoots pretty consistent numbers (68-78?) in tournaments, or someone that can vary hugely, shooting something like 64-85? Which do you think is better?

[mvmac]

Poll added.

I voted for consistent because I think that would typically be the better player. The player that wins more tournaments or is always in the hunt (I'm assuming you're talking about amateur tournaments).

But I guess it really depends on how good you are when you're streaky. I would rather get on a hot streak one summer, win the U.S. Amateur, not do much after that, than make match play 10 years straight. I took "streaky" to mean the player has the potential to go low but lack consistency round to round (not tournament to tournament). So that's why I voted for consistent.

[Unforgiven93]

Who do you think has more potential in the long run?

[Brakkus]

I would almost say that you could be consistent in a Nick Faldo kind of way rather than a Phil or Seve tee to green. You could be streaky still but with the putter. As good a putter as you could be they don't all drop outside of 10 ft especially. You would always be in the hunt kind of like when Westwood was playing his best golf but his putting ain't the best. The putter is the magic wand which when hot would allow you to win tournaments

[Patch]

I think consistency breeds streaky. By that I mean to go on low scoring streaks, I think the golfer has to be consistently good first. I would wonder how many consistent poor golfers would go on a low scoring streak.  I voted for consistent because of this reasoning.

In my game I am consistently around 80, and when I get streaky, I am breaking that consistent 80 with 77s, 78s, and 79s. When I am not streaky, I can also shoot 88s.

[mvmac]

Who do you think has more potential in the long run?

Depends on a few things. How bad are the bad rounds, how good are the good rounds, how long they've been playing, what are their strengths, where do they throw away strokes, how far they hit it, etc.

[alleztom]

If both had the same average score - say shooting 70 and 90 or 80 and 80 - I'd go the streaky. As an amateur golfer, no designs on being anything more than that - it is the good rounds which stick in the memory.

[jeremyh]

Consistent, for the peace of mind. Ideally, I'd improve my "consistent" score over time.

[stealthhwk]

Lol. I voted consistent. But I just wish i was good enough to play in tournaments.

[tefunk]

Consistent, for the peace of mind. Ideally, I'd improve my "consistent" score over time.

Agreed

[DrvFrShow]

Well I'm consistent right now. Consistently bad, but consistent.

[RFKFREAK]

I'm consistently bad, does that count?