I love this tip Paul. On two occasions during a recent round of golf I under clubbed in similar circumstances and dumped the ball in the bunker. This tip explains exactly why. Now I know what to do. Many thanks.
I never pull punches. If I don’t tell you no one else well. Fun doing the tips on the course. Just need to try to find time when no one is out there so we can shoot more.
I faced this exact situation today on a par three that was 140 to the pin on the front of the green with bunkers guarding the front of each side of the green and a downhill slope from the green. Normally I would hit my 8 iron, but your tips have made me start thinking a little more about the trouble surrounding the greens, so I used my 7 iron and hit it right over the pin leaving me a putt of about 15 feet. I 2 putted and made par and was happy with that. Great tip Paul!
Paul , The pin is not where it should be :normally the Green keeper sticks it behind close behind a sand trap ,to entice you ” to go for the pin” and of course dumping the ball in the sand trap .
In the présent case ,I submit a différent solution to yours ,which takes the sand traps out of the picture :i would play to the pin ,a bit short ,and chip from the short grass to the pin .I could évén maybe chip in ,as I’m fairly good at chipping .In any case it would be a chip + a put = par .
Short Par 3’s are trick y most of the Time .
Greetings Coach I agree with Bryan Rhoades i also like the on course tips gives us a chance to see the tip on the course and we also get to see the different holes Thanks
I’m going to try to find time to do more but this is tricky because groups keep coming up to us. This was the day after we punched the greens so no one was out there.
Greetings Coach one more thing i play with one hibred club i use it between 160 and 180 190 .I choke down or up depending on the yardage I would like to get others to cover those distances so i would not have to guess how far i need to choke Are there clubs to take the place of 6-5-4 irons and if so how do i know which ones to get My 3-4-5 fairway metals are pretty good but is there one to take the place of the drover thanks
You need to go online and find the brand of your clubs on the manufacturers website or do a search online for YOUR BRAND LOFTS. Once you know the lofts of your clubs you can find hybrids with the same lofts online or at your local golf store. Remember each club has 4 degrees more or less loft so if you only have the loft of one club you can calculate all of them.
Nice tip Paul. Hope you do more of these situation tips. I sure like them. I was out on a course with teaching pro a few years a back, and we were on a par five, and I nailed it off the tee, right down the middle. The hole narrowed from there into the green on both sides with trees, very tall uncut rough, and ravines, etc. I was about 200 yards, or a little more, out from the green. The pro asked me what club I was going to hit next. I said, “The 3 wood.” I was going for it. He said, “OK, give me a $20 bill.” So I did. He then said if I hit the green, or stayed in bounds anywhere, he’d give me the 20 back. However, if I went off the short grass any where, he was keeping the 20, and then he asked me, “Now, what club are you going to hit?” I thought about it and said, “I am going to lay up with the 8 iron.” So I did and got my $20 back. He was teaching me to play smart, not dumb. I got it. Same with your tip here. We need these kind of tips Paul. Thank you, and keep em coming.
Yes you can certainly take more club and grip down. This is potentially better than swinging hard as you know what swinging hard does for your game. It can even get you swinging hard for the rest of your shots that round. Not good.
No, because we do not have long rough. Only certain time of year and not around where I am shooting. If you are real deep rough you are basically taking a higher lofted club and chopping it out back into the fairway. Use this one for lighter rough:
TOM WATSON (and others) issued a book showing you how to play around the golf course.
His recommendation for Par 3’s is to go for the “fat” or “safe “part of the green.
In the case you demonstrate it’s an “easy “Par 3 (100 yards ),so the shot is where you play it to the left with a “long” enough iron
What if the Par 3 is a long one ,180 to 200 meters ?
I have several of these on my home Golf Course at CANNES MANDELIEU :of course they are well defended by Sand traps.
You have to take a “long ” club to get there ,so accuracy is lesser than with a high lofted club
If you don’t want to make an issue out of dropping in a a sand trap ,better practice exiting from sand traps and be conversant with your bunker shots ,and “love” to play them….
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
23 Responses to “Hitting To A Tricky Pin Placement”
August 10, 2014
BrianClaffeyI love this tip Paul. On two occasions during a recent round of golf I under clubbed in similar circumstances and dumped the ball in the bunker. This tip explains exactly why. Now I know what to do. Many thanks.
August 12, 2014
Paul WilsonBrian,
In certain cases I am definitely trying to take trouble out of play. Once you start doing this you should see less mistakes which means lower scores.
August 11, 2014
BryanRhoadesI’m just loving these on course playing tips. I love the brutal honesty as well. Diggin the visor look as well!!! Keep it up Paul!!
August 12, 2014
Paul WilsonBryan,
I never pull punches. If I don’t tell you no one else well. Fun doing the tips on the course. Just need to try to find time when no one is out there so we can shoot more.
August 11, 2014
STEVECAMPBELLI faced this exact situation today on a par three that was 140 to the pin on the front of the green with bunkers guarding the front of each side of the green and a downhill slope from the green. Normally I would hit my 8 iron, but your tips have made me start thinking a little more about the trouble surrounding the greens, so I used my 7 iron and hit it right over the pin leaving me a putt of about 15 feet. I 2 putted and made par and was happy with that. Great tip Paul!
August 12, 2014
Paul WilsonSteve,
Very good. Eliminating the possible chance of a big number is huge. Keep thinking the right way when you play and you will see a dramatic result.
August 11, 2014
TomExcellent Paul! Thanks
August 11, 2014
RaymondCHASTELPaul , The pin is not where it should be :normally the Green keeper sticks it behind close behind a sand trap ,to entice you ” to go for the pin” and of course dumping the ball in the sand trap .
In the présent case ,I submit a différent solution to yours ,which takes the sand traps out of the picture :i would play to the pin ,a bit short ,and chip from the short grass to the pin .I could évén maybe chip in ,as I’m fairly good at chipping .In any case it would be a chip + a put = par .
Short Par 3’s are trick y most of the Time .
August 12, 2014
Paul WilsonRaymond,
That is a very narrow gap between the 2 bunkers and the pin was a few paces onto the green. I hit the right shot.
August 11, 2014
johnhoyleGreetings Coach I agree with Bryan Rhoades i also like the on course tips gives us a chance to see the tip on the course and we also get to see the different holes Thanks
August 12, 2014
Paul WilsonJohn,
I’m going to try to find time to do more but this is tricky because groups keep coming up to us. This was the day after we punched the greens so no one was out there.
August 12, 2014
johnhoyleGreetings Coach one more thing i play with one hibred club i use it between 160 and 180 190 .I choke down or up depending on the yardage I would like to get others to cover those distances so i would not have to guess how far i need to choke Are there clubs to take the place of 6-5-4 irons and if so how do i know which ones to get My 3-4-5 fairway metals are pretty good but is there one to take the place of the drover thanks
August 12, 2014
Paul WilsonJohn,
You need to go online and find the brand of your clubs on the manufacturers website or do a search online for YOUR BRAND LOFTS. Once you know the lofts of your clubs you can find hybrids with the same lofts online or at your local golf store. Remember each club has 4 degrees more or less loft so if you only have the loft of one club you can calculate all of them.
August 28, 2014
LenKoblenzHi Paul,
Great tip. I also enjoy reading the other comments and your replies. A lot can be learned by doing this.
I do find it interesting that the players that have the talent to “go for the pin” many times have the brains not to.
Your course is beautiful. I look forward to more playing tips.
Thanks,
Len
August 28, 2014
Paul WilsonLen,
Glad you like the tips. Our course is closed right now for over-seeding. Will try to shoot some more in the future.
July 30, 2016
BriNice tip Paul. Hope you do more of these situation tips. I sure like them. I was out on a course with teaching pro a few years a back, and we were on a par five, and I nailed it off the tee, right down the middle. The hole narrowed from there into the green on both sides with trees, very tall uncut rough, and ravines, etc. I was about 200 yards, or a little more, out from the green. The pro asked me what club I was going to hit next. I said, “The 3 wood.” I was going for it. He said, “OK, give me a $20 bill.” So I did. He then said if I hit the green, or stayed in bounds anywhere, he’d give me the 20 back. However, if I went off the short grass any where, he was keeping the 20, and then he asked me, “Now, what club are you going to hit?” I thought about it and said, “I am going to lay up with the 8 iron.” So I did and got my $20 back. He was teaching me to play smart, not dumb. I got it. Same with your tip here. We need these kind of tips Paul. Thank you, and keep em coming.
August 1, 2016
Paul WilsonBri,
I have a bunch of these tips on the site already. I am just re-running them on Fridays.
You can find them in the Dashboard under Playing Lessons.
Exactly. So many amateurs make poor decisions. That alone could save you 10 shots a round. I bet you will remember the $20 for life. Great idea.
July 30, 2016
LenKoblenzHi Paul,
When the distance doesn’t match your club, do you ever use more club and choke down?
Love the playing tips.
Len
August 1, 2016
Paul WilsonLen,
Glad you like the playing tips. Thanks.
Yes you can certainly take more club and grip down. This is potentially better than swinging hard as you know what swinging hard does for your game. It can even get you swinging hard for the rest of your shots that round. Not good.
July 30, 2016
R. J.SuhPaul,
Did you ever shoot a video for playing out of heavy rough?
August 1, 2016
Paul WilsonR.J.
No, because we do not have long rough. Only certain time of year and not around where I am shooting. If you are real deep rough you are basically taking a higher lofted club and chopping it out back into the fairway. Use this one for lighter rough:
Hit From Light Rough: https://ignitiongolf.com/light-rough/
July 30, 2016
RaymondCHASTELTOM WATSON (and others) issued a book showing you how to play around the golf course.
His recommendation for Par 3’s is to go for the “fat” or “safe “part of the green.
In the case you demonstrate it’s an “easy “Par 3 (100 yards ),so the shot is where you play it to the left with a “long” enough iron
What if the Par 3 is a long one ,180 to 200 meters ?
I have several of these on my home Golf Course at CANNES MANDELIEU :of course they are well defended by Sand traps.
You have to take a “long ” club to get there ,so accuracy is lesser than with a high lofted club
If you don’t want to make an issue out of dropping in a a sand trap ,better practice exiting from sand traps and be conversant with your bunker shots ,and “love” to play them….
August 1, 2016
Paul WilsonRaymond,
This is the tip I did for a long par 3:
Club Choice On A Long Par 3: https://ignitiongolf.com/club-choice-long-par-3/
I agree with Tom Watson. Fat part of green is best.