Not Chasing Scratch...Just Chasing a Semi Decent Reliable Game...How Do I Get There

[Dooby]

2 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Cool, that sounds good.  I'm about 2/3 through Season 3 now.   Where they are about 3 months post the start of COVID.  I will say it was interesting listening to that and hearing them talk about the challenges of COVID and how it was affecting them being able to play, and at one point I think they said.   This time next year when all is back to normal.   I just kind of laughed and said, yeah not quite...ha   So they had just announced the trip to Ireland in the summer of 2021.   Dont' know if it came off or not, so don't spoil it for me..LOL    There's something kinda neat about listening to something that is taking place live 3 years ago and not knowing what comes next or how it turns out. 

Yeah, I do kinda think they get way sidetracked, like last night I the episode I heard they spent about 20 minutes of my 45 minute drive home on the cereal argument.  That's funny, I like things like that but at the moment felt 20 minutes of it was a bit much.   Anyway, I do enjoy it mostly. 

 

 

Yeah I remember that same feeling as far as Covid and their discussions. And yeah they have tangents that maybe last too long but sometimes I’m in the right mood where I’m just enjoying it and laughing along too. All depends what I’m listening for that day. Regardless, huge fan of the show and think they put out something unique that is wildly relatable. 

[skraeling]

I dont like a lot of the foreplay stuff, but Frankie and Trent are good dudes.

Frankie did this little series to fix his just abysmal chipping.  I got a LOT out of this series and I didnt even make it all the way through ep2 yet.

A lot of really really good stuff here about the mental aspect of the game.

Seriously I put what I learned from the first 2 episodes into practice my next round and shot a personal best +1 over in my mens league.  Id NEVER gotten that close to even ever.

Really changed my approach.

 

Edited July 21 by skraeling

[Golfspy_CG2]

16 hours ago, The Jimmy said:

Just a comment on getting more consistent. 1- use the same ball, proV, chrome soft , tp5, ext. find one with a feel you like for putting and chipping.  It will always be consistent. 
2 don’t hit the “anyway” shot. ( maybe I should hit the 7 instead of 8. , no I’ll make it work, .

3 try not to follow a bad shot with another. I try not to hit 2 bad ones in a row. Strokes add up really fast when you do that.  Sometimes you just need to take your medicine . Try to work on your tempo. Swing easy and just be happy with the extra distance. After a mid-hit or bad one embrace the challenge of now trying to make the lowest score.  Enjoy 

All good thoughts, thanks.   I actually have exclusively used ProV1 for 6 years now.   I'm a firm believer in two things about it.  It can and DOES help even higher handicaps around the green.  If you're a mid to high cap and not using a Tour Ball of any company, you are losing strokes.   If price isn't an obstacle, then then you should find the "tour" ball you like and stick with it.

NO. 3 I addressed in one of my posts in the middle of this thread, it's something I was definitely guilty of.  But have gotten better since having that discussion with a friend who is a very good player.   In trouble...do what it takes to get back safely.   A few rounds ago, I was only a foot into the tree line, I spent maybe a minute trying to figure out how to hit it out safely.   I realized I couldn't be assured I would get the club back without snagging it on a twig.  So I took an unplayable.   He was watching me silently the whole time and commended me on the decision.   Best to take the 1 stroke medicine right away if there is any doubt on clean contact.   Then risk getting into worse shape and then having to take an unplayable. 

3 hours ago, skraeling said:

I dont like a lot of the foreplay stuff, but Frankie and Trent are good dudes.

Frankie did this little series to fix his just abysmal chipping.  I got a LOT out of this series and I didnt even make it all the way through ep2 yet.

A lot of really really good stuff here about the mental aspect of the game.

Seriously I put what I learned from the first 2 episodes into practice my next round and shot a personal best +1 over in my mens league.  Id NEVER gotten that close to even ever.

Really changed my approach.

 

 

[Golfspy_CG2]

15 hours ago, Dooby said:

Yeah I remember that same feeling as far as Covid and their discussions. And yeah they have tangents that maybe last too long but sometimes I’m in the right mood where I’m just enjoying it and laughing along too. All depends what I’m listening for that day. Regardless, huge fan of the show and think they put out something unique that is wildly relatable. 

Yep, as you mentioned earlier they are different than some of the other stuff out there, and they are very good and proud of the fact they have a clean or safe rating on Apple.   That shouldnt' be taken for granted. 

I really like the NLU guys and listen to them regularly.  And i am 100% no prude and have let lose with a profantity at times.  But to me they use it just to be using it too often.   The F word with them seems like it's used just for fun, they have enough inflection and passion in their voices when talking about something that excites or riles them up, they can completely do without it.  And at times it just is so often it takes away from the content they are presenting.   Just MO on that.  I do love their post major round POD coverage though. 

 

[Haro]

when internet explodes with golf forums , there was just too much info out there and I was overthinking swing

Simple book like Rotella and Zen putting are probably the best to get my score down  as I tend to think too much on the course 

My swing is manageable and dont really think bout it as much as I used too   Putting is another story though, tying new putters and there isn't a lot of clear instruction about putting out there online and the typically golfer doesn't want to improve putting as much as their swing 

[cksurfdude]

CG2, all - I've been thinking long and hard on all of this great advice.

And after some more reflection, I think I may have been able to distill it all down into one simple, easy to remember and easy to implement on the course solution...

 

haha

...but seriously in another thread there were a few posts about "being present" for your next shot .....

[BKervin]

For me it's getting out of my own head!

I play my best games when I've got the earbuds in - rock on Sirius XM - just playing the game without a lot of preshot thinking!  Do what I know and hit the ball.  Earbud in - swing - get to ball - grab the club for the distance - swing - repeat!!!

I believe when I think hard on each swing I take the swing out and make it about mechanics. 

[Golfspy_CG2]

37 minutes ago, cksurfdude said:

CG2, all - I've been thinking long and hard on all of this great advice.

And after some more reflection, I think I may have been able to distill it all down into one simple, easy to remember and easy to implement on the course solution...

 

haha

...but seriously in another thread there were a few posts about "being present" for your next shot .....

I wonder if anyone has tried Imagine Golf and found it helpful or worth while?  Ive thought about it but haven't really heard any first hand experience other than the testimonials on it's website. 

[Golf2Much]

I'm not sure how I missed this thread.  I just spent the last half hour reading through all nine pages.  @Golfspy_CG2, this is almost like "It's a Wonderful Life" type of moment.  People concerned about your game and coming out of the woodwork to offer their help and suggestions.  There's a lot of love there!

We've all been there.   I feel for you.   I have an array of physical limitations (broken neck, replaced knees, shoulder surgeries, naturally fused back...) that have limited my distance.  I've become the golfer I used to hate!  Short off the tee on a par four, fairway wood short of the green, chip on and one putt for par.  When I was young, I always wondered how did I loose to this guy!   Just as physical changes impact a golf game, so do visual changes.  So, it will take time to overcome what many would consider the toughest change to overcome.

All is not lost!  I share your driving distance struggles and not hitting many greens in regulation.  In season one of the MGS Virtual Championship Tournament I was consistently the shortest driver of the ball week over week.  Yet, I won the war of attrition and took the title.  So, there is hope!

I've gained access to my GHIN scores for the last 18 years, way before all my physical problems.  If look at my scores over that period of time, I find that with the exception of the year I needed to learn to walk again after breaking my neck, my average annual score is within +/- 0.8 strokes.  Looking back, things I did great 20 years ago, I suck at today.  Back then I couldn't hit a driver to save my life and I carried one just so I had a place to put my towel.  Today, I average about 75% fairways in regulation on a very tight course.  Back in the day, I carried a two iron for tee shots on short par 4s.  Today, I often struggle with a six iron.  I tried every putter and putting style (even side saddle until my wife said I look too much like a geek) with no luck.  Today, I'm considered one of our better putters in my group.   The lesson is that we change over time, our bodies are fairly robust at adjusting to those changes and we just need to adapt our games to deal with those changes. 

The best lesson my wife ever got when she started to play golf was to create her own par.  It seemed silly at first, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.  She was constantly frustrated at not making par, she started to press, changing her swing and her game got worse.  Once her "Sue-par" was a double bogey, her outlook and score improved.  I think it was mentioned in a prior response, create your own par for each hole or course and look for the positive of making it.  

Finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel (and it's not a train)!  We all go through these periods.  Some are longer periods than others.  I'm in one now myself.   I was part of the MGS review of the Paradym X irons.  Since putting them in my bag, I've struggled.  Putting my Ping G30's back in didn't help.  So, it was definitely the archer not the arrow!  For me, it's fighting through the problems, not giving up, focusing on what I do well and seeking professional help (sort of what this thread was intended to do) to get a fresh eye on my swing and hold my hand through the improvement process.

I wish you luck!  Just remember, never give up!  You'll get through this and come out in a better place!

 

[Golfspy_CG2]

1 hour ago, Golf2Much said:

I'm not sure how I missed this thread.  I just spent the last half hour reading through all nine pages.  @Golfspy_CG2, this is almost like "It's a Wonderful Life" type of moment.  People concerned about your game and coming out of the woodwork to offer their help and suggestions.  There's a lot of love there!

We've all been there.   I feel for you.   I have an array of physical limitations (broken neck, replaced knees, shoulder surgeries, naturally fused back...) that have limited my distance.  I've become the golfer I used to hate!  Short off the tee on a par four, fairway wood short of the green, chip on and one putt for par.  When I was young, I always wondered how did I loose to this guy!   Just as physical changes impact a golf game, so do visual changes.  So, it will take time to overcome what many would consider the toughest change to overcome.

All is not lost!  I share your driving distance struggles and not hitting many greens in regulation.  In season one of the MGS Virtual Championship Tournament I was consistently the shortest driver of the ball week over week.  Yet, I won the war of attrition and took the title.  So, there is hope!

I've gained access to my GHIN scores for the last 18 years, way before all my physical problems.  If look at my scores over that period of time, I find that with the exception of the year I needed to learn to walk again after breaking my neck, my average annual score is within +/- 0.8 strokes.  Looking back, things I did great 20 years ago, I suck at today.  Back then I couldn't hit a driver to save my life and I carried one just so I had a place to put my towel.  Today, I average about 75% fairways in regulation on a very tight course.  Back in the day, I carried a two iron for tee shots on short par 4s.  Today, I often struggle with a six iron.  I tried every putter and putting style (even side saddle until my wife said I look too much like a geek) with no luck.  Today, I'm considered one of our better putters in my group.   The lesson is that we change over time, our bodies are fairly robust at adjusting to those changes and we just need to adapt our games to deal with those changes. 

The best lesson my wife ever got when she started to play golf was to create her own par.  It seemed silly at first, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.  She was constantly frustrated at not making par, she started to press, changing her swing and her game got worse.  Once her "Sue-par" was a double bogey, her outlook and score improved.  I think it was mentioned in a prior response, create your own par for each hole or course and look for the positive of making it.  

Finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel (and it's not a train)!  We all go through these periods.  Some are longer periods than others.  I'm in one now myself.   I was part of the MGS review of the Paradym X irons.  Since putting them in my bag, I've struggled.  Putting my Ping G30's back in didn't help.  So, it was definitely the archer not the arrow!  For me, it's fighting through the problems, not giving up, focusing on what I do well and seeking professional help (sort of what this thread was intended to do) to get a fresh eye on my swing and hold my hand through the improvement process.

I wish you luck!  Just remember, never give up!  You'll get through this and come out in a better place!

 

What a great post G2M--thanks so much for the taking the time to right that, and more so read through the entire thread.  Most will read the first post jump and post something and point out things that have mentioned 5 times....LOL  But that's because we all have attention spans the size of a minnow

You may have read in my last post, things made a bit of a turn last week.  Two distinctly different rounds with similar results.   One 9 hole round where I thought I hit the ball as well as Ihad all year, and it was actually mentioned by my regular plying partner as well.   The next day 18 hole round playing the same course, On the 9 that we played the night before, I felt like I hit the ball pretty well, maybe not quite like the night before, but still much better than previously.   And this 18 hole round played from the gold (senior) tees I shot one more stroke than I did form the White (regular tees the night before.  It's not the first time I did that.   I think it probably goes to from the whites, I'm like you above, can't reach many par 4's and play for a short pitch or wedge and hope to 2 putt at worst and maybe get lucky and 1 putt now and then.   Versus from the shorter gold, I get a bit more aggressive and expect to hit the green.  I kind of backed off that for the first 4 holes on this round and was missing some fairways.  Went back to hitting driver off the tee and ran off 3 straight pars.   One of my playing partners said....now exactly why were you hitting iron off the tee on those early holes....LOL

I play like your wife on a lot of holes, my par may be different than the regular par.  I have one hole in our complex, I'll post about below in a separate post that I think I need to play as a par 7 (double par) I tried that las tweak and still l got an 8.   That hole just laughs at me every time I step on the tee.   Everyone has given such great advise in this thread I welcome any thoughts on how to approach that hole.  BTW, I'm not he only one who wants that hole completely blown up

 

 

 

[Girldad18]

My advice...blah blah blah.  Recently there has been alot of talk about playing from the tees that fit you.  With your driver distance and saying you don't reach many of the greens in two for par 4's or three for par 5's, I would definitely look to move up to a tee distance where reaching the green in regulation is feasible.  

Obviously you see where the room for improvement is with your short game and putting.  That would help, especially when not reaching greens but also when you do.  A good putter can make up for alot of bad.

I would also look at the stat of greens missed left and right, that is 42% of your greens missed.  Not many long.  Are you aiming for tucked pins?  May try to hit the fat of the greens until you are close enough that you know you can get it in there closer to the pin, if that makes sense?

Always a good way to cut handicap is by taking out the big number. On course lessons help that of course, but be smart and take your medicine and go from there.  Find your strengths and play to those when you can.

My first take away though in reading your stuff and stats was to move up to a tee box to hit more greens in regulation.  Then go from there.

[Golfspy_CG2]

39 minutes ago, Girldad18 said:

My advice...blah blah blah.  Recently there has been alot of talk about playing from the tees that fit you.  With your driver distance and saying you don't reach many of the greens in two for par 4's or three for par 5's, I would definitely look to move up to a tee distance where reaching the green in regulation is feasible.  

Obviously you see where the room for improvement is with your short game and putting.  That would help, especially when not reaching greens but also when you do.  A good putter can make up for alot of bad.

I would also look at the stat of greens missed left and right, that is 42% of your greens missed.  Not many long.  Are you aiming for tucked pins?  May try to hit the fat of the greens until you are close enough that you know you can get it in there closer to the pin, if that makes sense?

Always a good way to cut handicap is by taking out the big number. On course lessons help that of course, but be smart and take your medicine and go from there.  Find your strengths and play to those when you can.

My first take away though in reading your stuff and stats was to move up to a tee box to hit more greens in regulation.  Then go from there.

Thanks for the reply GD

Yeah, I covered both those suggestions in a previous post.   Tees--I play the whites due to it being a league that everyone plays the whites about 6200 yards. I didn't play it the last two years as I knew I wouldn't compete much, but a good friend who I only see occasionally plays in it and he missed not having me out there and I missed it as well, so I sucked it up and palyed this year.  I've actually done ok given my starting 2 lengths back    

The shots missed short I mentioned as well.  yeah, some of it is club selection, have always been told keep taking more club until you go long at least two holes in a row.  But as I mentioned our courses we have two-both have severe trouble long, it's like the architect ran out of room on most of them an just shoved the greens as far back to environmental areas and tree lines as he could...ha  So no not pin hunting at all, just playing to the safer side, although I could be bit more aggressive I suppose. 

[Golfspy_CG2]

Ok, time to play.  How would you play this hole--for you that drive the ball 210 or less.   You longer hitters feel free to say as well.    I'm going to post two pictures of it, one from Google Earth that really shows the true lay of the land, and one from GPS that shows a drawing of it with it.  FYI the distance of 312 you see to the hazard is from the Black tees.  From the White when I play league its 280 and from the gold about 265.  White and Gold tees are on that bigger tee box just ahead and to the right of the back box where the GPS is pointing. 

Here's some typical past rounds for me lets just say from the whites, it's not that much difference on the tee shot. 

• Tee shot of say 200 yards, leaves me about even with that bunker on the right, so there is danger of hitting it and I've been in the one on the left as well, and of course I've lost a couple way right lateral hazard into a yard.   
• From there I have about 65 yards to the bottom of the hill,  and to clear the hazard it's about 165 to 170 yards.   Which I can do with a well struck 4 hybrid or 5 wood.  Oh and it's a downhill lie and oh in that hazard area is a tall 60 foot Oak tree, that basically gobbles up anything that comes in breathing range  .  I've gone for it many times and not made it having to use the drop area on the other side which leaves you 200 yards to the green.  I've also bumped a PW or lob wedge down to the bottom, leaving me about 310 yards or so uphill.    
• From there I would take a 4 hybrid and hopefully get up to about 150 out, trying to miss those bunkers on the right, but I'm usually a bit short of those so it's ok.  
• So I'm already hitting 4 into a par 5 from 150 yards...see where this is going.   Let's say I miss it a bit short right, I try like heck to avoid that bunker on the left front as it's a tough up and down anywhere on that green, which has a huge two tier aspect to it the back is a good 8 to 10 feet higher than the front. 
• So chip on in 5 and hope i one putt for a bogey an run off that green with a smile, or two putt and take my medicine and be happy with a "sue par" of 7 as @Golf2Much calls it...love it! 

That's if I play the hole cleanly, there have been a myriad of mishaps that have led t 8's and 10's.   Just complete round wreckers.   So to recap how would you short hitter play.  Remember once you cross that hazard it's all uphill for the final 200 yards, so you're adding at least a club to each shot and maybe 2 on your approach to a back left pin.

 

 

 

[Jnoble89]

5 minutes ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Ok, time to play.  How would you play this hole--for you that drive the ball 210 or less.   You longer hitters feel free to say as well.    I'm going to post two pictures of it, one from Google Earth that really shows the true lay of the land, and one from GPS that shows a drawing of it with it.  FYI the distance of 312 you see to the hazard is from the Black tees.  From the White when I play league its 280 and from the gold about 265.

Here's some typical past rounds for me lets just say from the whites, it's not that much difference on the tee shot. 

• Tee shot of say 200 yards, leaves me about even with that bunker on the right, so there is danger of hitting it and I've been in the one on the left as well, and of course I've lost a couple way right lateral hazard into a yard.   
• From there I have about 65 yards to the bottom of the hill,  and to clear the hazard it's about 165 to 170 yards.   Which I can do with a well struck 4 hybrid or 5 wood.  Oh and it's a downhill lie.  I've gone for it many times and not made it having to use the drop area on the other side which leaves you 200 yards to the green.  I've also bumped a PW or lob wedge down to the bottom, leaving me about 310 yards or so uphill.    
• From there I would take a 4 hybrid and hopefully get up to about 150 out, trying to miss those bunkers on the right, but I'm usually a bit short of those so it's ok.  
• So I'm already hitting 4 into a par 5 from 150 yards...see where this is going.   Let's say I miss it a bit short right, I try like heck to avoid that bunker on the left front as it's a tough up and down anywhere on that green, which has a huge two tier aspect to it the back is a good 8 to 10 feet higher than the front. 
• So chip on in 5 and hope i one putt for a bogey an run off that green with a smile, or two putt and take my medicine and be happy with a "sue par" of 7 as @Golf2Much calls it...love it! 

That's if I play the hole cleanly, there have been a myriad of mishaps that have led t 8's and 10's.   Just complete round wreckers.   So to recap how would you short hitter play.  Remmberr once you cross that hazard it's all uphill for the final 200 yards, so you're adding at least a club to each shot and maybe 2 on your approach to a back left pin.

 

 

 

I can't get the .png file to open

[Golfspy_CG2]

2 minutes ago, Jnoble89 said:

I can't get the .png file to open

That's weird, it's showing on both my mobile and desktop.  I just re attached it to see if that helps.  

[Jnoble89]

2 minutes ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

That's weird, it's showing on both my mobile and desktop.  I just re attached it to see if that helps.  

Now I can see it!

[Jnoble89]

11 minutes ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Ok, time to play.  How would you play this hole--for you that drive the ball 210 or less.   You longer hitters feel free to say as well.    I'm going to post two pictures of it, one from Google Earth that really shows the true lay of the land, and one from GPS that shows a drawing of it with it.  FYI the distance of 312 you see to the hazard is from the Black tees.  From the White when I play league its 280 and from the gold about 265.  White and Gold tees are on that bigger tee box just ahead and to the right of the back box where the GPS is pointing. 

Here's some typical past rounds for me lets just say from the whites, it's not that much difference on the tee shot. 

• Tee shot of say 200 yards, leaves me about even with that bunker on the right, so there is danger of hitting it and I've been in the one on the left as well, and of course I've lost a couple way right lateral hazard into a yard.   
• From there I have about 65 yards to the bottom of the hill,  and to clear the hazard it's about 165 to 170 yards.   Which I can do with a well struck 4 hybrid or 5 wood.  Oh and it's a downhill lie and oh in that hazard area is a tall 60 foot Oak tree, that basically gobbles up anything that comes in breathing range  .  I've gone for it many times and not made it having to use the drop area on the other side which leaves you 200 yards to the green.  I've also bumped a PW or lob wedge down to the bottom, leaving me about 310 yards or so uphill.    
• From there I would take a 4 hybrid and hopefully get up to about 150 out, trying to miss those bunkers on the right, but I'm usually a bit short of those so it's ok.  
• So I'm already hitting 4 into a par 5 from 150 yards...see where this is going.   Let's say I miss it a bit short right, I try like heck to avoid that bunker on the left front as it's a tough up and down anywhere on that green, which has a huge two tier aspect to it the back is a good 8 to 10 feet higher than the front. 
• So chip on in 5 and hope i one putt for a bogey an run off that green with a smile, or two putt and take my medicine and be happy with a "sue par" of 7 as @Golf2Much calls it...love it! 

That's if I play the hole cleanly, there have been a myriad of mishaps that have led t 8's and 10's.   Just complete round wreckers.   So to recap how would you short hitter play.  Remember once you cross that hazard it's all uphill for the final 200 yards, so you're adding at least a club to each shot and maybe 2 on your approach to a back left pin.

 

 

 

This is a doozy of a Par 5! In a perfect world, 575ish total yards with 280 to that hazard from the Whites, I think my tee shot play would be 3W. I can control ball flight with it much better than driver, and I'd be concerned about getting too offline and ending up in that hazard on the left past that left bunker. Assuming a good strike, I'd get anywhere from 235-250, leaving a good 320 yards. From there:

• Option One: 7W 200-210 yards with the height to hopefully avoid the large oak you reference . If I fail there, hitting the same club from the drop area on the other side and trying to get on the green.
• If I clear the hazard (tree) and stay out of the sand on the right (fade bias as a lefty helps this LOL), I'm left with anywhere from 120-140ish yards. Adding in the uphill factor, I'm probably looking at an 8i or 9i depending on which end of the distance spectrum I fall.
• Two putts to get away with a Par would be a huge win in my book. Odds are I'd find a way to three putt if I got a GIR, or would have a penalty stroke sneak in there and I'm hoping to get out with a double.

[Preeway]

I’m not a short hitter but I’ll add my $.02. I would hit your drive and aim away from danger. A well struck tee shot that keeps you in position is clearly the key here. Any errant shots off the tee will change to strategy of course. Play your 5-wood second shot to clear the divided fairway and then for your third shot, I would lay up just past the bunkers on the right but short of the green side bunker in front. In a perfect world, try to leave yourself 30-50 yards in for your fourth shot and give you a good look at par and at worse a 6. I think the bigger scores come from approaching the home with a mindset of reaching the green in 3 at all cost. So many ways to play for par on holes like this. 

[cksurfdude]

23 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I wonder if anyone has tried Imagine Golf and found it helpful or worth while?  Ive thought about it but haven't really heard any first hand experience other than the testimonials on it's website. 

For mental game Jon Sherman's "Four Foundations" has been mentioned, plus he also has a lot of good articles & info on his website practicalgolf. Another great resource I can recommend is David MacKenzie and his "Golf State of Mind".

[THEZIPR23]

1 hour ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Ok, time to play.  How would you play this hole--for you that drive the ball 210 or less.   You longer hitters feel free to say as well.    I'm going to post two pictures of it, one from Google Earth that really shows the true lay of the land, and one from GPS that shows a drawing of it with it.  FYI the distance of 312 you see to the hazard is from the Black tees.  From the White when I play league its 280 and from the gold about 265.  White and Gold tees are on that bigger tee box just ahead and to the right of the back box where the GPS is pointing. 

Here's some typical past rounds for me lets just say from the whites, it's not that much difference on the tee shot. 

• Tee shot of say 200 yards, leaves me about even with that bunker on the right, so there is danger of hitting it and I've been in the one on the left as well, and of course I've lost a couple way right lateral hazard into a yard.   
• From there I have about 65 yards to the bottom of the hill,  and to clear the hazard it's about 165 to 170 yards.   Which I can do with a well struck 4 hybrid or 5 wood.  Oh and it's a downhill lie and oh in that hazard area is a tall 60 foot Oak tree, that basically gobbles up anything that comes in breathing range  .  I've gone for it many times and not made it having to use the drop area on the other side which leaves you 200 yards to the green.  I've also bumped a PW or lob wedge down to the bottom, leaving me about 310 yards or so uphill.    
• From there I would take a 4 hybrid and hopefully get up to about 150 out, trying to miss those bunkers on the right, but I'm usually a bit short of those so it's ok.  
• So I'm already hitting 4 into a par 5 from 150 yards...see where this is going.   Let's say I miss it a bit short right, I try like heck to avoid that bunker on the left front as it's a tough up and down anywhere on that green, which has a huge two tier aspect to it the back is a good 8 to 10 feet higher than the front. 
• So chip on in 5 and hope i one putt for a bogey an run off that green with a smile, or two putt and take my medicine and be happy with a "sue par" of 7 as @Golf2Much calls it...love it! 

That's if I play the hole cleanly, there have been a myriad of mishaps that have led t 8's and 10's.   Just complete round wreckers.   So to recap how would you short hitter play.  Remember once you cross that hazard it's all uphill for the final 200 yards, so you're adding at least a club to each shot and maybe 2 on your approach to a back left pin.

 

 

 

Best course of action is probably to play for 6 (a birdie for you) or a 7. I would say off the tee take something that removes the possiblity of hitting into those 2 bunkers. Next shot just short of the hazard. Depending on the distance that leaves you just ensure you are missing the next set of fairway bunkers. Hard to tell but it looks like anything long and/or right is the best spot to chip from. I know everyone preaches about the easiest way to lower scores is to eliminate doubles, however this hole is just a tough SOB, your goal should be to eliminate big numbers. I am going to guess while it occasionally happens without them, the majority of your big scores on this hole stem from hitting it inot fw bunkers or the hazard.