Approach Shots - Setting yourself up for putting

[martkal44]

Just wondering what your approach is for hitting into the greens to help setup/create that desired straight uphill/even putt.

More specifically when looking at a green that's sloping right to left do you aim to A:land the ball on the left hand side to keep it below the hole (in turn having no chance of landing in the hole).

B: Land it right hand side to let the ball roll down, in turn possibly going in the hole but maybe stay high and leaving a dreaded downhill swinger.

C: Straight at the hole and see what happens and take each putt as it comes.

When I golfed a lot in real life I wasn't good enough, (played off handicap of 11) to pick my spots exact, I would take the distance to the pin and aim for the pin, to just simply get as close as possible. I've been doing that on the golf club, but now want to take my time to improve my game further, and I guess the top guys know where to land.

I know a lot can factor what happens such as wind, not hitting straight on the controller etc but The top guys must have a landing side in mind.

[claybagel]

The answer (for me at least) depends on the situation. If I've got a wedge or a short iron into the hole, I can play a little bit more aggressively and may account for spin. If I'm coming in with a longer iron (or have a tailwind), I'll take into account the slope of the green a bit more as I'll be running it up to the hole.

You also have to take a look at how the green is laid out. Is there a backstop I can use that will funnel the ball down to the hole? Maybe I'll be a little bit more aggressive towards the hole knowing that if I miss, the slope will help me out.

Another factor is how much danger there is around the hole. If it's a tucked pin protected by a bunker or water, I obviously won't have much freedom with how to attack the hole unless I really want to take on the risk of the hazard.

Obviously, you wanna get the ball as close to the hole as possibly. However, and this is especially true for firmer greens with a lot of slope, you really don't want to leave yourself above the hole. The possibility of a 3-putt is much greater from there than if you leave your approach below the hole.

[blackaces13]

This is a pretty good question. In general I value proximity over any considerations regarding the leave but there are definitely exceptions, particularly when one side of the hole is DEAD flat or the opposite where one side is unusually hilly and must be avoided.

[mcbogga]

Jan 8, 2016 14:36:42 GMT -5 martkal44 said:

Just wondering what your approach is for hitting into the greens to help setup/create that desired straight uphill/even putt.

More specifically when looking at a green that's sloping right to left do you aim to A:land the ball on the left hand side to keep it below the hole (in turn having no chance of landing in the hole).

B: Land it right hand side to let the ball roll down, in turn possibly going in the hole but maybe stay high and leaving a dreaded downhill swinger.

C: Straight at the hole and see what happens and take each putt as it comes.

When I golfed a lot in real life I wasn't good enough, (played off handicap of 11) to pick my spots exact, I would take the distance to the pin and aim for the pin, to just simply get as close as possible. I've been doing that on the golf club, but now want to take my time to improve my game further, and I guess the top guys know where to land.

I know a lot can factor what happens such as wind, not hitting straight on the controller etc but The top guys must have a landing side in mind.

Playing off 11 you are usually much better off always playing for the middle of the green - less short siding yourself that way.