What is more fun? ballstriking or putting?

[arturo28mx]

I have a very personal feeling about golf and was wondering if other people feel the same way.

What I enjoy enormously about golf is striking the ball: with a driver, with irons, with wedges. Hitting a good drive or getting on the green from 180 yards makes me feel like Superman. But once I'm on the green I find putting rather boring. I will putt  to finish the hole and I'm a decent putter, but I find little fun in doing it. Many times when I'm playing solo I will pick up the ball once I get on the green and go on to the next hole. To me it's two different games, almost like mixing baseball with billiards.

Anybody else feel the same way?

[baller7345]

On an average day where neither is outstanding, ball striking.  On a day when I seemingly can't miss with the putter, I'd have to say the putter reigns supreme.  Two putting from 20+ feet is mundane.  Sinking four 20+ footers in a round is euphoric (Did that about a month ago, still waiting for the repercussions).

Edited October 27, 2016 by baller7345

[Ernest Jones]

On the course, I enjoy them both equally. I get a lot of satisfaction out of lagging a 30 footer to tap in range or sinking a gnarly, breaking 6 footer.

But when practicing, I'll take the range over the practice green any day. Practicing putts just doesn't do it for me. 

[DaveP043]

Ben Hogan agreed with, here's a quote from 1957

Quote

"I have always contended golf is one game and putting is another. One game is played in the air, the other is played on the ground.

"If I had my way, every golf green would be made into a huge funnel. So that when you hit the funnel the ball would roll down a pipe into the hole.

"That way there would be no expensive upkeep of grass on the greens. And there would be much less misery among the golfers."

Personally, I probably get more immediate satisfaction from ballstriking, but I get longer term satisfaction from scoring well for an entire round, and I can't do that without putting.

[David L Yskes]

while, i prefer ball striking.... i mean how many times has someone got done at the range and you / they have just been striping the ball with your long irons,,, getting that nice piercing flight.... and you walk off like I got This ShT!!!!!!    

now while this is important, i learned a few years ago, you also have to put in the time on the putting green.....  while it isnt sexy, i put in my time on the practice green too

[jamo]

Generally ballstriking, but it feels pretty damn good to curl in a putt you read just right and started on line.

[Patch]

I enjoy which ever of the two games is going well for me that day. If my off the tee, and/or approach games are working well,  that's a plus for me. If not, I always know my putting game will save me a few strokes. 

[mcanadiens]

Based on the number of putts that I generally make, I'll take a putt for a score (par or better) every time.

The ball striking along the way can be as good as it gets, but until the ball goes in the hole, the deed isn't done.

 

[Mr. Desmond]

I receive almost equal delight from an excellent drive, an approach within 10 feet, and anytime I can one putt or no putt a green. But I must admit, holing that one putt from more than 6 feet (because less than 6 ft is expacted lol), closing out for par or birdie is immensely satisfying. If I curl in a 30 footer for bogey, it's more of a relief.

[No Mulligans]

That's easy for me, ballstriking by far.  For me it's such a great feeling to hit the ball really well and watch it fly long and straight (or with a slight draw or fade).

Anyone can make a long putt, even non-golfers putting for the 1st time.

[natureboy]

I tend to agree with you. My perspective on it is that putting won't be as much fun until my ballstriking improves enough to put me closer to the pin regularly. Most of my putting is about lagging the ball, which is important, but less thrilling than pulling off a great strike of the ball.

That said, I can recall quite a few good putts as well as good long and short game strokes.

This topic would be ideal for a poll if you can add one.

Edited October 27, 2016 by natureboy

[Zeph]

Hitting a good long iron trumps anything else on the course for me.

[bm85]

I practice my swing a lot, but I don't really practice my driver specifically.

When I finally get out there it's always fun to blast a ball off the tee.

[CarlSpackler]

[Groucho Valentine]

Nothing in golf feels better to me than draining a 10-15 footer than never leaves the line and just rams into the back of the cup. 

 

Except maybe a 30 footer...

 

But I've also done the pick up the ball and head to the next tee thing. But thats mostly when I'm practicing. 

Edited October 27, 2016 by Groucho Valentine

[GolfLug]

I look at it this way, If I hit a GIR 420 yard par 4, it is greatly satisfying and joyful but a 2 putt doesn't ever churn up that kind of emotion. You have to 1-putt to feel that good.   

So fun, like awesome soul lifting fun? Yupp, ball striking.. All good golfers are at least decent strikers but many of them are yippy putters.

'Oh man I got away with a dumb screw up' type relief? Two putt par from 65 feet.

Winning the pot with a straight flush type joy? A birdie putt from within 15 feet. You drew a good hand (luck) and you conquered (executed without screwing it up).

Winning with a shitty hand type joy? A birdie putt from 20 plus feet. Mostly luck.

 

 

[Missouri Swede]

From another thread, so slightly out of context, but still ...

 

[14ledo81]

Ball striking is easily more enjoyable for me.