Golf Forums - Shaping Your Shots

Imagine the scene....

You've got 160 yards to the center of the green.

The flag is on the right hand side of the green (about six paces on from the right hand side of the green edge).

There is a pon about five yards to the right of the green and the ground between the green and the pond slopes down to the water.

There is also a bunker just in front of the bunker.

This means that you cannot run the ball upto the green but have to carry it over the bunker.

The green is receptive and will hold a ball.

So what would you do and why.....

1)  So would you hit a draw, starting the ball at the edge of the pond and bringing it back to the flag.  The problem with this option is that if you don't get the ball to draw you'll probably end up in the pond.

2)  Would you hit a fade, starting the ball at the middle of the green and fading it towards the flag.  The problem with this option is that if the ball doesn't fade then you'll have a monster putt.

3)  Hit the ball straight at the flag.  Not the kind of shot that most people can play.

Russ

Russel Russel Russel,

I would hit a draw shot into the green because i can control the ball very well as youu know.

BUT
'
for you i would say none of them are good if you want to lower you handicap as 9/10 time you will end up in the pond with a draw shot, in the bunker with a fade shot cos fade shot go shorter than a draw.

NMy advice to you would be, hit the ball to the centre of the green and 2 putt!!!!!

this is the easiest option.

what you think??

Regards 

Mark 

Mark, Mark, Mark....

First things first, congratulations on your win in the Pro-Am, your stalker wasted no time in telling me how well the team had done.

Now back to my question.

As I'm still in the process of trying what you told me last week, and it's working by the way! then the draw would be out for me.  Too much of a risk if I push the ball.

The fade would be good as I'd take an extra club knowing that the ball won't travel as far.

I'd probably try and hit a staight(ish) shot, but aiming five yards left of the flag.  Then if I push it I should be on the green right of the flag.  If I hit it well then it would be close enough to the flag to give me a one putt chance.  And if it goes were I was aiming then I'd be on the green and I would take the two putts and walk away happy with another par.

Russ

Hi Russ, so why not aim to hit the ball into the hole?

Seriously I would tend to try the simple approach, hit it straight and two putt.. the rest is too complicated, but you know that if I see someone else fading ir drawing I'm always tempted to play the'glory shot' as well...

I'm looking to play the easy shot for the rest of this year and see if it is as much fun playing off the fairways as it is out of trees...

btw.. Played a round at altitude in South Africa, imagine an extra 60 yards on every drive... that was a different problem (ok when it went straight, but advised to leave it when it went that extra 60 yards into the jungle).  Also good incentive to keep up with play...