WSJ: In Golf’s ‘Bomb and Gouge’ Era, the Fairway Is an Afterthought

[nevets88]

Nothing really new here if you've been keep up with the distance conversation. I didn't know that McIlroy said this though.

Quote

But it’s not always a calculated decision. Rory McIlroy, a prototypical bomb-and-gouge player, said he would gladly give up 20 to 25 yards off the tee if it would mean hitting the fairway an extra 15% of the time.

“One hundred percent, I would do that,” he said. “But we grow up around this game not knowing how to hit an easy driver. You stand up with a driver and you hit it as hard as you can and you hope it’s going to go in the fairway.”

https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-golfs-bomb-and-gouge-era-the-fairway-is-an-afterthought-1526641200?shareToken=stbc45bb3ffa9641d3b50e6b9abd102b9a&ref=article_email_share

Not sure if you need a subscription for that link, I don't and got to the article view Geoff Shackelford's blog.

[iacas]

39 minutes ago, nevets88 said:

Rory McIlroy, a prototypical bomb-and-gouge player, said he would gladly give up 20 to 25 yards off the tee if it would mean hitting the fairway an extra 15% of the time.

15% is a huge jump. He was 161st at 55.06% in 2017. 70.06% would put him 7th… https://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.102.2017.html. That's a HUGE jump.

And yet… it's probably still not worth it. Rory was 3rd in 2017 with 0.878 strokes gained off the tee: https://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02567.2017.html.

15% ~= 20 yards? Maybe. I think it more likely favors the 20 yards versus the 15%.

[fishgolf]

Don't you think that if they made missing fairways more punishing, by having taller, heavier ruff, increased amounts of vegetation resulting in unplayable (or nearly so) lies and/or more OB zones, that would start changing this model of play?  I find it funny that he'd "be willing to give up yardage for more first cut landings" - bet he's not changing a thing.

[iacas]

3 hours ago, fishgolf said:

Don't you think that if they made missing fairways more punishing, by having taller, heavier ruff, increased amounts of vegetation resulting in unplayable (or nearly so) lies and/or more OB zones, that would start changing this model of play?  I find it funny that he'd "be willing to give up yardage for more first cut landings" - bet he's not changing a thing.

I think Phil pointed out at Winged Foot or something that the long rough benefits the longer hitters more. They find the rough only about, say, 8-10% more often than the "short, straight" hitters, but they not only are farther down on EVERY shot and hitting less club in, they're also more capable of gouging it out of the rough (they generate more clubhead speed AND they're using a shorter club).

In other words:

• Short Hitter: 9 fairways hit, 5 fairways missed per round, and they're hitting 5-irons from the fairways and 4-irons from the rough.
• Average Hitter: 8 fairways hit, 6 fairways missed per round, and they're hitting 7-irons from the fairways and 6-irons from the rough.
• Long Bomber: 7 fairways hit, 7 fairways missed per round, but they're hitting 9-irons from the fairways and 8-irons from the rough.

It's too big of an advantage for a fairway or two per round.

[freshmanUTA]

Rory was also in a commercial that aired during the players that said distance is more important that’ll accuracy, but if you have both(he does) it’s deadly.

[fishgolf]

34 minutes ago, iacas said:

I think Phil pointed out at Winged Foot or something that the long rough benefits the longer hitters more. They find the rough only about, say, 8-10% more often than the "short, straight" hitters, but they not only are farther down on EVERY shot and hitting less club in, they're also more capable of gouging it out of the rough (they generate more clubhead speed AND they're using a shorter club).

In other words:

• Short Hitter: 9 fairways hit, 5 fairways missed per round, and they're hitting 5-irons from the fairways and 4-irons from the rough.
• Average Hitter: 8 fairways hit, 6 fairways missed per round, and they're hitting 7-irons from the fairways and 6-irons from the rough.
• Long Bomber: 7 fairways hit, 7 fairways missed per round, but they're hitting 9-irons from the fairways and 8-irons from the rough.

It's too big of an advantage for a fairway or two per round.

Good point.  How about more hazards (i.e. traps) in the long hitting landing zone... filled with wet, heavy sand or standing water?

[MarvChamp]

15 hours ago, fishgolf said:

Good point.  How about more hazards (i.e. traps) in the long hitting landing zone... filled with wet, heavy sand or standing water?

Or old time grass fairway bunkers at strategic spots planted in legumes and gorse. -Marv

[Shorty]

There's a big difference between rough and trees. And rough and rough. On many courses I play, missing the fairway by more tham 10 yards almost always means chipping out. Not the same on an open course with lightish rough.