Peter, I take it one step further. The higher one’s handicap is the fewer pin one might shoot for the pin. Realizing what a “sucker pin” is tells me that’s where I can get into more trouble going for the pin. I would rather two put for a par or bogey one the green than have a more difficult next shot just to get on the green. Sure a lower handicap player can with more confidence shot for more pins. But a higher handicap player, if he or she wants to start shooting lower scores, playing for the fat part of the green gives you more of a chance of not blowing up the hole. That’s my story and I am sticking with it.
This is basically what I am saying, usually the higher ones handicap the less confidence you would have with the longer clubs. So, if you are only confident with the most a Pitching Wedge then the rest of your bag would be aiming at the “fat” of the green. As I said in the tip the most i really go for is a 7 iron and down and I hit the ball quite straight.
Yep I second that. Course mangement tips are very helpful especially getting in closer to that pin! Read something the other day that implied if you miss the fairway at Bears Best be careful about picking the ball up as the scorpions might get you first! Reckon that’s enough to make me concentrate on keeping my swing on target.
Thank You. As all desert courses you have nasty things lying close by most of the time, I have not seen any yet thankfully (fingers crossed I don’t ever see one).
Thank you Peter that is a very useful tip. I had never thought of resisting the temptation of going for the pin by nominating a the longest club to give me the best chance of avoiding the danger.
For me I think it would have to be within a 9 iron distance. I will add this to my game strategy from now on.
Thanks Peter.
Alan
A question on course management: If a tee box is 25 feet long, where do we tee up our ball? I have been told in the past that if trouble(eg water) is on the right side of the tee box we should tee it up on the right side not on the left. Is this true? Many people have the tendency of teeing it up away from trouble. What are you thoughts on this?
Hi Pete, Nice tip. Two thoughts…
First it looks like most of the trouble is in front of the green. Not knowing the course there may be trouble over the green but if not… err on the long side I would guess.
Second… During a lesson years ago a pro asked me what I hit off the tee on par 4’s. Being young I said a driver of course. I asked him what he did.. he said he hit to 140-150 yards for two reasons. Usually the widest part of fairway with more trouble as you get closer and his 140-150 approach was his best club!
Thanks for the tip.
14 Responses to “There’s A Sucker Born Every Minute”
June 15, 2013
PETERMCMULLENPeter, I take it one step further. The higher one’s handicap is the fewer pin one might shoot for the pin. Realizing what a “sucker pin” is tells me that’s where I can get into more trouble going for the pin. I would rather two put for a par or bogey one the green than have a more difficult next shot just to get on the green. Sure a lower handicap player can with more confidence shot for more pins. But a higher handicap player, if he or she wants to start shooting lower scores, playing for the fat part of the green gives you more of a chance of not blowing up the hole. That’s my story and I am sticking with it.
June 15, 2013
Pete MitchellThis is basically what I am saying, usually the higher ones handicap the less confidence you would have with the longer clubs. So, if you are only confident with the most a Pitching Wedge then the rest of your bag would be aiming at the “fat” of the green. As I said in the tip the most i really go for is a 7 iron and down and I hit the ball quite straight.
June 15, 2013
PETERMCMULLENPeter, I should have proof read my comment before sending it. Too many typos. Sorry.
June 15, 2013
HowardMillerExcellent advice. I had not thought that through as clearly as you described it. Great tip!
June 15, 2013
Pete MitchellThanks Howard…Like a lot of course management it’s simple.
June 15, 2013
NielsTruelsenGreat with some course management tips
June 15, 2013
Pete MitchellThanks.
June 15, 2013
PaulLucasYep I second that. Course mangement tips are very helpful especially getting in closer to that pin! Read something the other day that implied if you miss the fairway at Bears Best be careful about picking the ball up as the scorpions might get you first! Reckon that’s enough to make me concentrate on keeping my swing on target.
June 15, 2013
Pete MitchellThank You. As all desert courses you have nasty things lying close by most of the time, I have not seen any yet thankfully (fingers crossed I don’t ever see one).
June 15, 2013
DanCharpentierLove to hear course management tips from good players,,keep them coming Pete,,,,,
June 15, 2013
Pete MitchellThank You Dan…More to come soon.
June 16, 2013
AlanFranceThank you Peter that is a very useful tip. I had never thought of resisting the temptation of going for the pin by nominating a the longest club to give me the best chance of avoiding the danger.
For me I think it would have to be within a 9 iron distance. I will add this to my game strategy from now on.
Thanks Peter.
Alan
June 18, 2013
HermanKohHi Pete,
A question on course management: If a tee box is 25 feet long, where do we tee up our ball? I have been told in the past that if trouble(eg water) is on the right side of the tee box we should tee it up on the right side not on the left. Is this true? Many people have the tendency of teeing it up away from trouble. What are you thoughts on this?
Thank you.
Herman
August 14, 2019
DonaldForresterHi Pete, Nice tip. Two thoughts…
First it looks like most of the trouble is in front of the green. Not knowing the course there may be trouble over the green but if not… err on the long side I would guess.
Second… During a lesson years ago a pro asked me what I hit off the tee on par 4’s. Being young I said a driver of course. I asked him what he did.. he said he hit to 140-150 yards for two reasons. Usually the widest part of fairway with more trouble as you get closer and his 140-150 approach was his best club!
Thanks for the tip.