Why didn't Spieth drop closer to the hole after plunking in water (last year's Masters)?

[Themightyoz]

When Jordan plunked twice in a row would he have been able to take a drop closers to the hole rather than hitting it again.   Seems like that would have been a better play.

Moderator note: You should try to add more detail. Links, etc.

 http://www.masters.com/en_US/watch/2016/r4_34046_12.html (I assume you meant here on 12th hole, round 4)

[upndown21]

Yes, and the Seahawks and falcons would be super bowl Champs if they ran the ball.

[Themightyoz]

23 minutes ago, Themightyoz said:

When Jordan plunked twice in a row would he have been able to take a drop closers to the hole rather than hitting it again.   Seems like that would have been a better play.

Moderator note: You should try to add more detail. Links, etc.

 http://www.masters.com/en_US/watch/2016/r4_34046_12.html (I assume you meant here on 12th hole, round 4)

For sure .  Thanks

[iacas]

Because he chose not to. Because from down there the grain can play a role, and you're hitting to a green above you from a downslope, with a partial yardage so you won't be able to generate as much spin.

Generally speaking you're better off playing from closer to the hole (I'd be tempted to look at the shortest pitch shot available), but sometimes there are exceptions.

And it's also possible he would have been better off dropping closer.

Also, you quoted yourself…

[1badbadger]

The 12th hole at Augusta slopes down to the creek, so the closer he got, the more of a downhill lie he would have.  He couldn't drop on the other side of the creek, so his options were to hit it from the tee or take the drop.  The fairways are so tight, and even though he dropped further back to have a shot that wasn't quite as downhill and so he could spin it, it was still a dicey shot.

Under those circumstances, I would probably hit from the tee again.

[natureboy]

13 minutes ago, 1badbadger said:

The 12th hole at Augusta slopes down to the creek, so the closer he got, the more of a downhill lie he would have.  He couldn't drop on the other side of the creek, so his options were to hit it from the tee or take the drop.  The fairways are so tight, and even though he dropped further back to have a shot that wasn't quite as downhill and so he could spin it, it was still a dicey shot.

Under those circumstances, I would probably hit from the tee again.

I'm not positive, but I think there may have been some consideration about the softness of the ground closer to the creek / further down the bank where the water table would get closer to the surface.

Basically, the downhill lie is what got him. He knew he needed height to stop it in the shallow green and he likely fought going with the slope with his swing. A damage control shot might have been to go with his most lofted club and just go for extra height while going with the slope to try to stop it somewhere on the green, at or past the pin, two-putt and move on the the next hole. Golf is hard.

Edited February 26, 2017 by natureboy

[Buckeyebowman]

Yeah, these are all good comments, but the fact is he about laid the sod over that second shot! The fact is when you hit it chunky and there's water in front of your target, you're probably going in there!