This article was machine-translated from the Korean original. Read the Korean original
When I stand on the tee box, my hand automatically goes to the driver. It's like that for all fourteen holes.
However, if you look at skilled players, they surprisingly often take out different clubs.
It doesn't look cool, but if you do the math, you win.
01What do you gain if you give up 20 meters?
If you use a utility club instead of a driver, your distance decreases by 20 to 30 meters. Instead, you gain this.
| What you gain | how much |
|---|---|
| Probability of remaining on the fairway | It gets much higher. Because the club is short and the loft is high. |
| Degree of left and right bending | It decreases by about half. |
| OB/Hazard Risk | It decreases significantly. |
| mind | It becomes comfortable. If it's comfortable, it fits well. |
A distance of 20 meters is just one club difference. You can just use a 6 iron instead of a 7.
However, the difference between the rough and the fairway is just one stroke ([[LINK:L06]]).
02When do you remove the screwdriver?
If you set a standard, you won't have any worries at the tee box.
- When both sides are narrowIf the fairway is narrow, the odds are bad.
- When there is an OB on the side I am curvingIt's a slice, and if it's out of bounds to the right, it's practically confirmed.
- When the par 4 is shortFor a 300-meter hole, a utility club and a wedge are comfortable.
- When the wind blows strongly from the sideThe driver has more spin, so it slides more ([[LINK:L04]] Part)
- When you hit an OB on the previous holeTake a break at one hole.
03This is especially true on short par 4s.
Let's take a 300-meter par 4 as an example.
- Driver 220 meters → 80 meters remaining → It's difficult because it's somewhere in between.
- Utility 190 meters → 110 meters remaining → Switch to pitching for a comfortable throw
80 meters is a distance that is neither a full swing nor a chip shot ([[LINK:L18]] section).
110 meters is much easier. But most people try to send it as far as possible.
Determine the distance you want to leave first, then choose your tee shot club. The order is reversed.
04One thing to ask before the tee shot
You don't need to overthink it. Just ask yourself one thing.
"What can I lose big here?"
- OB or water → Safe club
- It's just rough → The driver is fine
- It's wide open → Hit to your heart's content
On holes where you have nothing to lose, hit the driver to your heart's content. That's the fun.
However, if you can hold back on holes where you have to lose, your score changes.
05You don't need to worry about your partner's reaction.
You might ask, "Why aren't you hitting the driver?" But...
- Even if your tee shot is short, if it is on the fairway, the second shot is easier.
- If you hit the driver far but end up in the rough, you'll eventually land in the same spot.
- If the score is good, nobody asks.
Even when watching professional tournaments, players often use iron tee shots on narrow holes.
Choosing a club is also a skill.
06A few times per round
Changing it just three or four times out of fourteen tee shots is enough.
If those three or four shots were from an OB or rough position, then it's three or four strokes that day.
You are getting strokes that are hard to achieve at the driving range simply by changing your judgment on the tee box today.
In the next part, I will discuss the criteria for deciding whether to pass or cut in front of a hazard.
