MIDDLE OF GREEN, Try it, don’t be a hero.

[cnosil]

1 hour ago, bens197 said:

I won’t argue this as an absolute Chris. You’re a smart guy and this totally backs up what you’re saying. 
 

really good discussion like @chisag and @DaveP043 have said. 

Definitely a good discussion;  I always learn something when we have this type of back and forth.     

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I have always tried to play to percentages or best odds so to speak. First I look at the pins location and secondly look at where the trouble is. Large trap in front center I’ll aim left or right depending on if the pin is left or right. If the pin is center I’ll still shoot left or right to avoid trouble. 
I have a good short game so I am confident that I can get up and down even if I’m just off the green. But I rather be looking at a putt. 
Side note: My course has very small greens and all are elevated. So you need a good short game.  Our traps are just short of concrete so I avoid them as much as possible. 
There is no right answer if aiming for the center of the green is correct. But there is a better decision for each hole if you know your game. 

[bens197]

23 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

I have always tried to play to percentages or best odds so to speak. First I look at the pins location and secondly look at where the trouble is. Large trap in front center I’ll aim left or right depending on if the pin is left or right. If the pin is center I’ll still shoot left or right to avoid trouble. 
I have a good short game so I am confident that I can get up and down even if I’m just off the green. But I rather be looking at a putt. 
Side note: My course has very small greens and all are elevated. So you need a good short game.  Our traps are just short of concrete so I avoid them as much as possible. 
There is no right answer if aiming for the center of the green is correct. But there is a better decision for each hole if you know your game. 

This then offers the discussion of small v large greens. 
 

Theres a local course that I swear they hate their greens mowers because you could build 3500sqft homes on each complex. 
 

I cannot stand playing here because it’s a course where you’ll hit 16/18 greens and have 39 putts. 
 

What a game

[Tom the Golf Nut]

11 minutes ago, bens197 said:

This then offers the discussion of small v large greens. 
 

Theres a local course that I swear they hate their greens mowers because you could build 3500sqft homes on each complex. 
 

I cannot stand playing here because it’s a course where you’ll hit 16/18 greens and have 39 putts. 
 

What a game

I wouldn’t know what to do with greens that big. Hopefully Since I’m used to small ones, I’ll be somewhat close to the pin. At least my GIR’s would improve!

[DaveP043]

On 5/4/2024 at 7:51 PM, cnosil said:

Definitely a good discussion;  I always learn something when we have this type of back and forth.     

The one thing that becomes clear is that there's good general advice, which is always followed by "but......".  Middle of the green, get as close to the hole as possible, get the putt to the hole, etc, are all reasonably good advice much of the time.  If a player wants simple advice, fine.  If they want to really do it right, they have to go a lot deeper into the subtleties.  

[MCMSR]

Putting the recommendations to use — using 1-more club, aim center of green (consider typical dispersion) — Now ‘Breaking/near-80’ on a much more consistent basis. 

[cnosil]

a good video that addresses this topic a bit.

 

[chisag]

1 hour ago, cnosil said:

a good video that addresses this topic a bit.

 

 

... Awesome video @cnosil. Pros looking at their cover number have a 7 yd variance with iron approaches and a 5 index around 13 yds while mine is in-between and about 10yds on average. Some days are better than others of course. Perfect example is a par 3 with a deep bunker guarding the front left and a steep hill with a false front that will cause the ball to roll 70yds down a hill. This is a cover number plus 1/2 club because long isn't terrible but short is. Regardless of where the pin is, that cover number is important because the prevailing wind is against us, making club selection extremely important. I rarely see balls over the back of the green that has an upslope to stop it from rolling over the hill but my guess is, and especially for mid and high index players, about 80% of the time if they miss they come up short. And as the video stated so well, that cover number should be for a typical miss not a good shot. 

[CB Lobo 4 Life]

1 hour ago, cnosil said:

a good video that addresses this topic a bit.

 

I just saw this video! I loved it. This is definitely going to change how I look at the numbers I look at from now on!