Drive or putt. There is an ongoing debate concerning the most important shot in the game of golf. Does the desire for distance outweigh the need for skill on the green? A very long shot from the tee on par 4s and 5s gets the ball closer to the green and allows for the chance that the next shot will end up near the hole. On the other hand, once the ball is on the green, can strokes be saved or lost?
Consider a par-3 hole. It is designed to require one shot from the tee to the green, followed by 2 putts. If all goes well, 1 2 3, and par are marked on the scorecard. If the tee shot doesn’t land on the green and falls into a bunker or way off to the side, it could mean one shot closer to a bogey or worse. Contrarily, one more stroke is more than a score of 3. Certainly, if the second shot is not followed up by one putt that finds the bottom of the hole.
The 13 versus the One
Certainly, it is far more exciting when practicing to see the ball fly through the air on target while on the driving range than it is to roll in putts on the putting green. But what is more important? What skill should be honed? The game of Golf is played in the air and on the ground. Look inside the golf bag; there are 13 clubs for hitting the ball into the air at varying distances. Usually, the 13 hit the ball at 10-yard intervals. There is only one club for rolling the ball on the ground or green and that is a significant fact.
The Champion and 44
This year’s Champion Golfer at the Open Championship at Liverpool, Hoylake, England, was not considered a long striker of the ball. What won Brian Harman the prize was his putting skill. His 106 putts is a new record for the tournament and surpassed the previous record by 3 strokes held by Todd Hamilton in his 2004 win of the championship. Consider that over 4 days and 72 holes, with the allotment of 2 putts per hole, there could have been 144 putts to match the par allotment. Harman’s putting took 38 putts from “Old Man Par”. It wasn’t that Harman holed long putts. Nevertheless, he made 44 of 44 putts within 10 feet of the hole.
Certainly, you will hear that you have to get the ball to the green before you can putt,. Basically, that is true. However, the ball can be hit all over the “yard,” and afterward, errant shots can be made up with the putter.
Drive for Show or Putt for Dough
Chiefly, hit the ball in the air a “mile” and ignore the importance of putting. And you’ll remain a high handicapper. Become “deadly” with the putter and scores will be far more satisfying.
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