Comments on: Course Management Basics – Part 11

By: Matt Saternus

Matt Saternus — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 17:34:09 +0000

In reply to George.

George,

That’s a really interesting question. My off the cuff thought is this: aiming short of the green feels safe, but you have to realize that you’re not any more accurate trying to be short of the green than you are trying to hit the green (maybe you’re a little more accurate because it might be one less club, but let’s call it a wash for the sake of discussion). That means that if you aim for the front edge, you’re going to be on the green when you’re long (statistically rare), a little short when you’re accurate, and way short when you’re short (very common for most golfers). And that ignores left and right.
All that to say: I’d aim for the center of almost every green and take all the GIRs I could get, especially as a 24.

Best,

Matt

By: George

George — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 12:20:33 +0000

Great article. I’ve been thinking recently, as a high hcp (24), could it make sense to lay up just short of the green if it is protected on multiple sides? Being just short of the green could pay off more than being in a green side bunker as per your stat above about added strokes coming out of the sand. Any thoughts?

By: Matt Saternus

Matt Saternus — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 16:52:55 +0000

In reply to cksurfdude.

I think Strokes Gained does a pretty good job of taking all that into account, it’s just not something a golfer can calculate without an app like Shot Pattern.

Best,

Matt

By: cksurfdude

cksurfdude — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 16:04:58 +0000

Hmm maybe we need a new stat, let’s call it “QSS” .. Quality of Scoring Shot .. which takes into account: [ GIR + proximity + (SG adjusted for ball landing position & player handicap) ]