Paul – Terrific course management and watching You navigate this hole should give us all reason to pause before we attack. Look forward to more on course play – really good stuff as usual! Thank you Mr. Wilson, Jeff Slyter
“Pause before we attack”. That is a great description. Usually what most people do when they don’t have too. Think logically out there and you can drop so many shots off your game.
That is what I call playing smart. Most people don’t do this & it inflates their score.
The Par 5’s on my home course can be reached in 2 by someone that hits it 250 from the tee, but hat isn’t me. I just try to make good shots & if I make it fine.
Play the course & your abilities.
The great majority of people don’t do this. Playing smart alone could shave up o 10 shots off everyone’s game. Crazy how people without the necessary skill to hit tough shots still try to hit them. Hopefully, our members are aware of this and don’t take these chances.
I feel way more comfortable with my driver than with my three wood. I usually prefer to grip it down in the driver instead of the fairway wood. Does it make sense or someone should alway try to hit the club that is required instead of altering grip position or even swing speeds
When you grip down you could lose power (because the arc is narrower) and tilt over too much. Hitting 3 wood is tricky. People always try to hit it too hard. Not sure if you saw this tip but I would think you need to watch it:
BEN HOGAN used to say that a well designed golf course had specific places with flat surfaces ,put there intentionally by the course architect ,from which the second shot was easier to hit from ,and so on .On most Par 5’s ,I know I can’t get on the green in three shots ,so I try to have the 4th shot from a place easy to play from ,so I can put the ball close to the hole in order to one put and thus save par .
I divide my game between “Fairway shots ” and “Scoring shots” (below 100 meters ):what I can’t acheive in “Fairway shots ” ,i endeavor to catch up in the “scoring shots “.It takes quite some humilty to play this way ,when you are pitted against “long hitters ” who outdrive you by 50:60 or more yards .But it’s the one the first in the hole who wins …
what is important is to be consistent with the “long shots ” and accurate on the “scoring shots “
TOM KITE was not a long hitter and used to play this way :he would lay up to hit his favorite short irons close to the pin :he advised to look up the hole walking from green to tee and see which clubs to play in between so to end up by playing your favorite club .
His book is not that much outdated today and shows in particular the pattern of dispersion of the shots on the green with the short irons and then how to play them to obtain the most success to hole out .
I really like your playing tips Paul. They seem to address what we face at the course. For me some of my highest scores are on Par 5’s because I have that tendency to try and swing hard, which usually leads me into a lot of trouble. When I’m playing with some other guys and they are all swinging hard, it’s difficult to make yourself not swing hard too. I am finding that your method works, it just takes a lot of practice swings and self discipline. I’m starting to make a couple of birdies and a few pars in each round. Now if I can just eliminate the big scores on some holes where I blow up.
You are right, just when I start hitting it good, I will start to swing a little harder or look up too soon to see where the ball is going.
Anyway, keep giving us those good playing tips!
Glad you like the playing tips. I appreciate the feedback.
You are not alone. As I said, most people think these holes are an easy way to lower their scores when really they mess them up more often than not. In the future play your own game and make sure you are not doing things you shouldn’t be doing on these holes. If you do, you will lower your scores which will make you more confident in the future. This may allow you to hit it by all those longer hitters in the future. Take 1 step back to move 2 steps forward. Just tell yourself before you hit every shot “you’re not Tiger Woods so why are you trying to hit it like him.” This seemed to work for me. Simple but logical thought.
GREETINGS COACH I have been told when there is trouble, either right or left on a hole, to tee off on the side of the tee box where the trouble is so that there is plenty of room,in the fairway, away from the trouble. What do you do?
Playing away from the trouble is the common sense way of playing . In most cases it’s advisable though to tee off from the left side of the tee box .This recommendation was made by Pro teacher CARL LOHREN in his book “ONE MOVE TO BETTER GOLF “.He says it gives you the feeling of swinging out to your target and promotes a better starting move with the left shoulder and induces a left sided forward swing .If you tee the ball in the middle or on the right side of the teeing ground ,it’s easy to get the feeling that you are turning too much away from your target .This instinctively will hinder the good move with your left shoulder .It also tends to make you swing “AROUND” to get the ball into the middle of the fairway ,thus encouraging too much right side activity .
Try it it works !
I have been a 24.2 for the last 2 years. Having focused mainly on the downswing triggers (kicking the right knee if front of the ball) has got my sequencing correct. I shot an 84 on a moderately difficult course and hit my driver well all day. NO Penalty strokes the entire round. However, In my opinion I m hitting the ball too high, with both hybrids, 3456irons and driver.
Please tell me where to focus, to bring my ball flight down. I already have still shafts and 9.5″ driver.
Hit 3 drives that went lower and very long, would like to duplicate this more. TY
Anytime you are looking for cures or what to work on, best thing to do is go to the SEARCH bar and type in what you are looking for. For the most part the tips are key worded pretty well for you to find what you need. There are more for hitting shots too high but, this would be a great place to start for you:
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20 Responses to “Playing Lesson – Teeing Off On A Par 5”
August 7, 2014
RalphWilkinsonBoy its good to get quality tips again. Rev golf is just a big waste of time. They missed the ball Paul letting you go.
August 7, 2014
Paul WilsonRalph,
Thanks for the kind words and support. I am hearing that a lot lately. Oh well, their loss.
August 7, 2014
JeffreySlyterPaul – Terrific course management and watching You navigate this hole should give us all reason to pause before we attack. Look forward to more on course play – really good stuff as usual! Thank you Mr. Wilson, Jeff Slyter
August 7, 2014
Paul WilsonJeffrey,
“Pause before we attack”. That is a great description. Usually what most people do when they don’t have too. Think logically out there and you can drop so many shots off your game.
August 8, 2014
LouisBondThat is what I call playing smart. Most people don’t do this & it inflates their score.
The Par 5’s on my home course can be reached in 2 by someone that hits it 250 from the tee, but hat isn’t me. I just try to make good shots & if I make it fine.
Play the course & your abilities.
August 9, 2014
Paul WilsonLouis,
The great majority of people don’t do this. Playing smart alone could shave up o 10 shots off everyone’s game. Crazy how people without the necessary skill to hit tough shots still try to hit them. Hopefully, our members are aware of this and don’t take these chances.
August 8, 2014
JoseCarcellerPaul,
I feel way more comfortable with my driver than with my three wood. I usually prefer to grip it down in the driver instead of the fairway wood. Does it make sense or someone should alway try to hit the club that is required instead of altering grip position or even swing speeds
August 9, 2014
Paul WilsonJose,
When you grip down you could lose power (because the arc is narrower) and tilt over too much. Hitting 3 wood is tricky. People always try to hit it too hard. Not sure if you saw this tip but I would think you need to watch it:
Stop Topping Your Fairway Woods: https://ignitiongolf.com/stop-topping-fairway-woods/
August 8, 2014
RaymondCHASTELBEN HOGAN used to say that a well designed golf course had specific places with flat surfaces ,put there intentionally by the course architect ,from which the second shot was easier to hit from ,and so on .On most Par 5’s ,I know I can’t get on the green in three shots ,so I try to have the 4th shot from a place easy to play from ,so I can put the ball close to the hole in order to one put and thus save par .
I divide my game between “Fairway shots ” and “Scoring shots” (below 100 meters ):what I can’t acheive in “Fairway shots ” ,i endeavor to catch up in the “scoring shots “.It takes quite some humilty to play this way ,when you are pitted against “long hitters ” who outdrive you by 50:60 or more yards .But it’s the one the first in the hole who wins …
what is important is to be consistent with the “long shots ” and accurate on the “scoring shots “
August 9, 2014
Paul WilsonRaymond,
Yes, this is a tough way to play but playing the other way causes frustration, aggrevation and depression so humility is no so bad.
August 9, 2014
RaymondCHASTELTOM KITE was not a long hitter and used to play this way :he would lay up to hit his favorite short irons close to the pin :he advised to look up the hole walking from green to tee and see which clubs to play in between so to end up by playing your favorite club .
His book is not that much outdated today and shows in particular the pattern of dispersion of the shots on the green with the short irons and then how to play them to obtain the most success to hole out .
August 10, 2014
Paul WilsonRaymond,
This is a good approach. He was a Tour Pro so he knew better. Most average players take chances.
August 8, 2014
STEVECAMPBELLI really like your playing tips Paul. They seem to address what we face at the course. For me some of my highest scores are on Par 5’s because I have that tendency to try and swing hard, which usually leads me into a lot of trouble. When I’m playing with some other guys and they are all swinging hard, it’s difficult to make yourself not swing hard too. I am finding that your method works, it just takes a lot of practice swings and self discipline. I’m starting to make a couple of birdies and a few pars in each round. Now if I can just eliminate the big scores on some holes where I blow up.
You are right, just when I start hitting it good, I will start to swing a little harder or look up too soon to see where the ball is going.
Anyway, keep giving us those good playing tips!
August 9, 2014
Paul WilsonSteve,
Glad you like the playing tips. I appreciate the feedback.
You are not alone. As I said, most people think these holes are an easy way to lower their scores when really they mess them up more often than not. In the future play your own game and make sure you are not doing things you shouldn’t be doing on these holes. If you do, you will lower your scores which will make you more confident in the future. This may allow you to hit it by all those longer hitters in the future. Take 1 step back to move 2 steps forward. Just tell yourself before you hit every shot “you’re not Tiger Woods so why are you trying to hit it like him.” This seemed to work for me. Simple but logical thought.
July 23, 2016
johnhoyleGREETINGS COACH I have been told when there is trouble, either right or left on a hole, to tee off on the side of the tee box where the trouble is so that there is plenty of room,in the fairway, away from the trouble. What do you do?
July 24, 2016
Paul WilsonJohn,
Sometimes I do that. Other times it is more of a feeling I get or how I am hitting it that day. You can definitely keep doing it that way.
August 14, 2016
RaymondCHASTELPlaying away from the trouble is the common sense way of playing . In most cases it’s advisable though to tee off from the left side of the tee box .This recommendation was made by Pro teacher CARL LOHREN in his book “ONE MOVE TO BETTER GOLF “.He says it gives you the feeling of swinging out to your target and promotes a better starting move with the left shoulder and induces a left sided forward swing .If you tee the ball in the middle or on the right side of the teeing ground ,it’s easy to get the feeling that you are turning too much away from your target .This instinctively will hinder the good move with your left shoulder .It also tends to make you swing “AROUND” to get the ball into the middle of the fairway ,thus encouraging too much right side activity .
Try it it works !
August 15, 2016
Paul WilsonRaymond,
I usually tee off on the left side.
May 3, 2020
SteveSmercakI have been a 24.2 for the last 2 years. Having focused mainly on the downswing triggers (kicking the right knee if front of the ball) has got my sequencing correct. I shot an 84 on a moderately difficult course and hit my driver well all day. NO Penalty strokes the entire round. However, In my opinion I m hitting the ball too high, with both hybrids, 3456irons and driver.
Please tell me where to focus, to bring my ball flight down. I already have still shafts and 9.5″ driver.
Hit 3 drives that went lower and very long, would like to duplicate this more. TY
May 3, 2020
Paul WilsonAnytime you are looking for cures or what to work on, best thing to do is go to the SEARCH bar and type in what you are looking for. For the most part the tips are key worded pretty well for you to find what you need. There are more for hitting shots too high but, this would be a great place to start for you:
Are Your Shots Going Too High? – https://ignitiongolf.com/are-your-shots-too-high/
3 Reasons You Hit The Ball Too High – https://ignitiongolf.com/hit-too-high/