The Plague of the Big Number

[Clive]

Back when I played and especially practiced more, I carried a handicap in the 10-14 range.  Not that I was that good physically -- a large part of where my handicap was could be credited to my tactical approach to the round.  I tended to know what I could do, both overall and that day, and "play smart".  I didn't take high risk-reward chances, I laid up unless it was truly a green-light opportunity, I knew my predominant mistakes and played away from them.  Typically, I hit the ball better on the course than the range, and I rarely took anything larger than the occasional double-bogey.

These days, I still take that approach: I play the game I brought to the course, I play to take parts of the course out of play, and my ego doesn't write checks my golf swing can't cash.  But the big numbers seem to have afflicted me.  Last round, something like 14 holes of par or bogey ... and a triple and three X's.  This round today, 12 holes at par or bogey ... and two triples, three quads, and a quintuple-bogey on a par-5.

(The 10: 4-iron tee shot down the right side; 23* hybrid aimed right (to play the draw and the slope) never drew, just into water hazard; penalty stroke-n-drop; 8-iron into short left bunker; beautiful explosion catches slope just past pin, rolls off green and into bunker, short-sided; cut totally under ball with 60*; explode out and across green; run downhill-flat-downhill-with-double-break 45-footer ~8 feet by; over-play break on come-backer; tap in.)

You'd need some information on where the strokes were lost on those to be helpful, I guess.  Just venting.  Mostly because I still play conservatively and I'm not seeing much reward for it.  I don't know what I'd shoot if I were more aggressive, but I'm beginning to wonder if the score would be that much different.

[Spanky]

(The 10: 4-iron tee shot down the right side; 23* hybrid aimed right (to play the draw and the slope) never drew, just into water hazard; penalty stroke-n-drop; 8-iron into short left bunker; beautiful explosion catches slope just past pin, rolls off green and into bunker, short-sided; cut totally under ball with 60*; explode out and across green; run downhill-flat-downhill-with-double-break 45-footer ~8 feet by; over-play break on come-backer; tap in.)

That sounds like every other hole for me. Should be fun in Bandon.

[Jules]

Beware of Clive, Spanky, remember he is a lawyer.
He is most probably trying to lure you into a false sense of security for Brandon, and then come out and win all your money off you.

[Clive]

"I don't play golf, for money, against people."

[stroh]

Card a 19 and get back to me.




Glad you got out, and I can empathize with you post completely.  It is very reflective of my game.  Last time out this year 1 week ago:  1 birdie, 5 pars, 1 bogey, 1 triple, 1 10.

What are you gonna do?

[Clive]

Repeat as necessary.

[gleek]

(The 10: 4-iron tee shot down the right side; 23* hybrid aimed right (to play the draw and the slope) never drew, just into water hazard; penalty stroke-n-drop; 8-iron into short left bunker; beautiful explosion catches slope just past pin, rolls off green and into bunker, short-sided; cut totally under ball with 60*; explode out and across green; run downhill-flat-downhill-with-double-break 45-footer ~8 feet by; over-play break on come-backer; tap in.)

4-iron off the tee: conservative
playing a required draw near water: not conservative

It sounds like you need to work on your sand shots if anything, or just play to avoid hitting bunkers at all costs (which should work well with your conservative philosophy). For example, if you play your approach shot such that if you nut it, the ball will just run up the front of the green. Any mi*feces* even if you miss it left or right will keep you short of the green and surrounding bunkers. Any decent approach shot will enable you to chip it close and save par. Otherwise, you're looking at bogey or DB worst-case rather than a really big number.

[Clive]

playing a required draw near water: not conservative

I hit a natural draw, and I allow for it.  If I'd aimed more to the right, I'd have risked my normal shot going left (and lost) into trees.  I do NOT try to work the ball unless there's absolutely no other alternative.

It sounds like you need to work on your sand shots if anything, or just play to avoid hitting bunkers at all costs (which should work well with your conservative philosophy). For example, if you play your approach shot such that if you nut it, the ball will just run up the front of the green. Any mi*feces* even if you miss it left or right will keep you short of the green and surrounding bunkers.

Odd thing is, my sand game isn't stellar but it's usually reliable enough that I'll get out and on the green in one swing.  (Sorry, Jules.)  I don't usually play to the hole, but instead to the fat part of the green where my margin for error is greater.  I know I'm not good enough to expect the up-n-down, so I don't take chances trying for it.  (Actually, I must say I'm like Nicklaus in that regard: I'm not that great at sand play because I'm good enough to manage my way around the course without hitting into sand very often.)

Any decent approach shot will enable you to chip it close and save par.

Clearly, you've never seen my short game.