[Wazmankg]

Originally Posted by JPsuff

Or let's look at it another way:

On every golf course, we all have either one, two or three chances to arrive at a green in "regulation" (a par 3, par 4 and par 5 hole respectively), but once there, we always have two shots with which to make par. So from a logic point of view, it makes more sense to focus on the skills required to arrive at the green in a regulation number of strokes than it does to focus on the short game (which of course includes putting) since that portion of the game gives us two opportunities to successfully complete the hole - both from a very short distance.


-JP

I think by far the most difficult skill to master in golf, I'm referring to basic skills... not trouble shots, sand play, etc., is hitting accurate full shots off the deck. This is what separates those who could be scratch golfers or better from those who never will. There is an innate coordination, hand-eye coordination and athleticism that's required to do it consistently, regardless of how much one practices. And those are the ones that get you the GIRs. Anyone can be taught to hit a ball off a peg or putt reasonably well with a bit of coaching and practice. Even the mechanics of pitching & chipping are can be learned fairly simply and with regular practice anyone can become fairly adept(I'm going to test this particular theory one of these days). But there's a law of diminishing returns that kicks in a lot quicker when trying to master the club-meets-ball-meets-ground full shot.