Are You a Risk Taker?

[Johneli]

Please allow me to set the scene: You're playing the 18th hole. If you were to birdie you would go one better than your personal best. It's a par five and your drive found a side hill lie in the (not too tall) rough. If you were to hit your three metal perfectly you could reach the green with room to spare. The green has water on it's right (bad for the side hill lie) and a trap off to the left and behind the green. You would need to hit the perfect three metal to hit the green or lay up with a rescue club or iron and hope to get close to pitch for the bird. What would you do? AND MORE IMPORTANTLY (THAN THIS SITUATION), ARE YOU GENERALLY MORE OF A SAFE PLAYER OR A RISK TAKER?

[GenErr]

In the situation you describe, I would probably lay up and take my chances with a pitch and one putt. The risk/reward of trying to hit a career 3-wood just to get to the green wouldn't be the smart play for me.

Of course there are times where we all take risks, but in general, I am not a risk taker. I would like to think that I evaluate most situations and take the route that offers the best chance of success.

[jwaldrop]

I'd lay up, because I've made a lot more birdies hitting full wedge in than going for it.

[JPsuff]

.


In that particular situation I'd lay up. I have a batter chance at birdie with my short game and putting than I'd have with trying to thread that particular needle.



BUT, take the exact same situation, only this time I need an eagle to tie and force a playoff, then going for it isn't "taking a risk" as much as it's the only sensible strategy.


It's not about being passive or agressive. It's about management and strategy.




-JP

[Darth Fader]

No question,i would be boring and lay up,take my chance with a pitch and a putt.

[coralpro]

There's a question? Layup is really the only smart choice in that scenerio. A person that relies on the perfect shot is asking for trouble.

[JimSomebody]

I'd lay up, too, and try to wedge it close for a birdie putt, rather than risk taking birdie (and even par) out of play with a bad 3-metal from a sidehill lie in the rough.

Generally, I try to avoid risk. I usually don't shoot at tucked pins, for example. But if I'm down in match play and waiting for my opponent's wheels to come off ain't working, then I have to get aggressive.

[JPsuff]

Originally Posted by coralpro

There's a question? Layup is really the only smart choice in that scenerio. A person that relies on the perfect shot is asking for trouble.

That, or his name is Mickelson.







-JP

[Golfaddict]

With a downhill lie, I would lay up. I tend to play the percentages.

[coralpro]

Originally Posted by JPsuff

That, or his name is Mickelson.







-JP

Touchee'

[Leaguegolf]

Going for the green with a 3 wood obviously isn't the smart play because the risk far outweighs the reward. I'd play this shot with what I call an agressive lay-up. The closer to the green I get the easier it is for me to make birdie so I'm going to hit the shot that gets me as close to pin high left as I can get.

[Ty_Webb]

I would generally class myself as a risk taker, but not in that situation. I have some semblance of common sense. There's a course in Portugal I've played a few times. San Lorenzo. It's a great course. The 18th hole is a tough par four. It has water left of the tee and is shaped like an S. The sensible play is up the right, which leaves you about 170 or so over a lake to a small, shallow green. Alternatively, you can bomb driver over the lake on the left and catch the left hand corner of the S. The cross bit is too narrow, so if you hit that you're basically dead. Left is dead too. It's about a 250 carry and maybe 10 yards wide that's safe. I go for it all the time, unless the wind is really hurting and I hit it more often than not, although generally in matchplay, so I guess it's a little different from medal play.

[Samsquanch]

If it wasn't a tournament round, heck I'd go for it. I'd rather get 2 under my personal best than 1. If I did put it in the water, then there's 2 more shots to tie your personal best so far. I'd probably aim at the rear greenside bunker, and if I didn't hit it perfect it might just settle on the green.

If it was a tournament, it would be iffyer, but whatever felt like the right choice at the time would be my play. Most likely it would be to lay up, unless I'm feelin' lucky

[Johneli]

Originally Posted by Samsquanch

If it wasn't a tournament round, heck I'd go for it. I'd rather get 2 under my personal best than 1.

Me too.

[GolfSavage]

So, what DID you do in that situation, Johneli?

[HackBlack]

In the situation described, I'd layup and look for putting teh wedge tight. If I needed an Eagle for PB, then I'd let her rip, Tin Cup style.

[BirdieBob]

I'm a risk taker but that is an almost impossible situation to succeed in. With e water to the right and a lot of us fade the 3 Metal off the grass it would be too dangerous. I say lay up in the short stuff and try to make a great pitch shot to the stick.

[Wazmankg]

I'm a pin hunter but there's no percentage in going for it in the situation you describe John.... not with my game anyway. If a perfect 3 wood gets me there, a punched 7-wood puts me puts me within 50 yards and avoids the trouble. I still have a decent shot at an up & down for my PB and will almost certainly match it.

[petermo]

If I am able to get a clean hit on the ball I'd aim at or slightly left of the bunker on the left and try to hit a shot with a smooth swing - hit it properly and it may fade onto the green if it goes straight or long, worst case is on in 3 and still maybe a birdie chance. The odds on a horrible slice are slightly reduced because there should be very little spin coming out of rough and rough tends to close the face slightly.

If I mess it up and cut it into the water I should still be close enough (assuming it's a lateral hazard) to take a drop, play 4 and maybe get up and down.

Worst case scenario here is that I'll drop one shot and that's OK.

If the hole were a monster par 4 though I'd always lay up - worst case is 5, 1 over.

[JungleJ]

There's no way I'm hitting 3 wood there - in the rough, ball below feet, trouble to the right. If it's in the first cut of rough I might hit a 7 wood but otherwise I'll take an iron and try to leave myself a chip/pitch and hope to one putt.

If I'm on the 18th hole with a chance of a best ever round, it will be because I've played sensible golf, kept it in play and I will probably have a hot putter. Going for the Phil shot won't be the right play that day.

On the other hand, if I've been having a lousy round - maybe I'll go for it.

[jwaldrop]

Saturday, on the 9th hole of the course I played for the first time in 5 years (par 4, 460 yds, large lake surrounding the front half of the green, and heavily bunkered), I hit my tee shot pretty well, but clipped an overhanging limb and fell in the fairway about 235 out. I layed up to 105, hit wedge right over the top of the flag, but alas left a 15 foot downhill breaking putt and lipped it out

[Johneli]

Originally Posted by GolfSavage

So, what DID you do in that situation, Johneli?

Pulled out the three metal. Took a stronger right hand grip, closed my stance, aimed a little left(all to avoid the water) and took a smoothe swing. I ended up in the trap to the back left of the green, blasted out, two putted and wished I had laid up!!!

[Ty_Webb]

Originally Posted by Johneli

Pulled out the three metal. Took a stronger right hand grip, closed my stance, aimed a little left(all to avoid the water) and took a smoothe swing. I ended up in the trap to the back left of the green, blasted out, two putted and wished I had laid up!!!

Really? If I knew beyond any doubt that I would put it in the back bunker, I'd hit that rather than lay it up. I reckon I get it up and down from sand more often than from 100 yards away, or even 50 yards away. That you didn't get it down in two from the sand is just the way it is, but I wouldn't call that a good reason to be angry.