Which has more impact on your score: fairways hit or three putts?

[WalkerH]

3 putts have the biggest impact. I would tie 3 putts to short game as well. I can miss most fairways but still end up near the green in either 2 shots or 3 shots depending on what par the hole is. Eliminating 3 putts would put the average golfer at around 8-12 over par. Avoid 3 putts and knock a few close with some one putts and you drop that score just a little lower.

Also, I'd add that if you're hitting the fairway most of the time, you are likely good enough that 3 putts are hopefully far and few in between. 

[jolter1]

Depending upin the round, it could be either one for me. Since my GIR is not that good, my short game tends to keep my putting in check. What causes the round where three putts become an issue is when my home course suddenly changes green speeds which results in my feel being thrown awry.

[DiscipleofPenick]

Absolutely agree. The rough on public courses isn't penal enough to deter me or make me worry about hitting into it. Now if I get wild and wind up in the trees, yes that becomes a concern. But hitting the rough isn't going to stop me from making pars, 3 putts definitely will.