cyoung2ty
Member
I played a course today that I didn't really pay attention to when I first started because I got thrown out onto the course in a hurry to accommodate a group that was playing. I had only played there once before and thought it was a shorter course, so I played from the back tees, which turned out to be 6748 yards. I typically play courses that range from 6100 - 6400 yards (give or take). Because the course was empty behind me, I decided to just play it out.
Several holes were well beyond my comfort zone in terms of distance. That got me to thinking about how others feel about certain distances. I don't usually care how long or short a par 5 is. Most of them are 3 shot holes for me unless it's 500 yards or less and I kill one from the tee.
Par 4
I cringe when I see it listed at anything over 410. Even then, it's gonna take a good drive from me to get me in a comfortable approach range of 170 or less. If I'm going at a hole with anything above a 6 iron, it becomes increasingly likely that I'm either going to yank one into trouble trying to really go at it or I'm going to do something stupid like top it.
I'm comfortable with any par 4 that is between 350 - 380 yards. I don't have to necessarily hit a good drive... I can get away with a 220 yarder and still be within a good range for my approach shot.
I lick my chops at anything 340 or below. This will usually put a 4 iron in my hand from the tee and still ensure that I'm hitting 8 iron or less to the green. If there is little-to-no trouble... it's a green light to try and get it down there to inside a wedge distance where I can give myself a good shot at getting inside 20 feet and leaving a birdie attempt.
Par 3
I sincerely dislike seeing a par 3 play over 180 yards, unless it's downhill. The same thing I mentioned above comes into play for me. If I have a 5 iron or higher in my hand, I get stupid and try to swing harder at it. This will result in a pull... a topped shot into trouble and sometimes even a thin shot that ends up in a spot nobody is intended to play the hole from.
I'm comfortable in the 150 - 175 yard range. Depending on wind and/or elevation changes, that pretty much means I'm hitting a 6, 7 or 8 iron from the tee. In most cases, I can find the green or be within chipping distance. I don't tend to make too many stupid swings with the clubs in my hand.
I get really excited to play anything listed between 120 - 145 yards. That probably gives me anywhere from a full swing pitching wedge to a full swing 8 iron. On those holes, if I make anything more than a par, I leave disappointed. Birdie is a possibility... par is the goal.
So... where are you comfortable? When do you start getting into an attacking mindset? When do you cringe and just hope to limit the bloodshed?
Several holes were well beyond my comfort zone in terms of distance. That got me to thinking about how others feel about certain distances. I don't usually care how long or short a par 5 is. Most of them are 3 shot holes for me unless it's 500 yards or less and I kill one from the tee.
Par 4
I cringe when I see it listed at anything over 410. Even then, it's gonna take a good drive from me to get me in a comfortable approach range of 170 or less. If I'm going at a hole with anything above a 6 iron, it becomes increasingly likely that I'm either going to yank one into trouble trying to really go at it or I'm going to do something stupid like top it.
I'm comfortable with any par 4 that is between 350 - 380 yards. I don't have to necessarily hit a good drive... I can get away with a 220 yarder and still be within a good range for my approach shot.
I lick my chops at anything 340 or below. This will usually put a 4 iron in my hand from the tee and still ensure that I'm hitting 8 iron or less to the green. If there is little-to-no trouble... it's a green light to try and get it down there to inside a wedge distance where I can give myself a good shot at getting inside 20 feet and leaving a birdie attempt.
Par 3
I sincerely dislike seeing a par 3 play over 180 yards, unless it's downhill. The same thing I mentioned above comes into play for me. If I have a 5 iron or higher in my hand, I get stupid and try to swing harder at it. This will result in a pull... a topped shot into trouble and sometimes even a thin shot that ends up in a spot nobody is intended to play the hole from.
I'm comfortable in the 150 - 175 yard range. Depending on wind and/or elevation changes, that pretty much means I'm hitting a 6, 7 or 8 iron from the tee. In most cases, I can find the green or be within chipping distance. I don't tend to make too many stupid swings with the clubs in my hand.
I get really excited to play anything listed between 120 - 145 yards. That probably gives me anywhere from a full swing pitching wedge to a full swing 8 iron. On those holes, if I make anything more than a par, I leave disappointed. Birdie is a possibility... par is the goal.
So... where are you comfortable? When do you start getting into an attacking mindset? When do you cringe and just hope to limit the bloodshed?