[dmoiknlasd]

I'm playing in a member/guest this weekend and and it's a fourball format. I wanted to talk a little bit of strategy with the THP Group. Partner is a bomber and a 1.1 handicap. Who should tee off first? Should i be more aggressive on holes i usually tee off with a hybrid or 3 wood? Any advice would be great. I haven't played any tournement golf since i moved and i'm really looking forward to this one.

[h4z1XBI7]

It worked well for us to have the higher hcp tee off first b/c it takes a little pressure off them (me). Stick to the order every single shot if you can. I wouldn't be super conservative, but let the first couple balls dicatate what the low guy does.

[duminyricky]

I would say that on the holes you are thinking about being aggressive on, have your partner tee off first. If his ball is in play, then go for it. If he's not in play, then maybe try to be a little more conservative and hit your hybrid/3 wood.

[Olympicdreams]

The goal is to have both balls in play on the greens as much as possible. Your aggressiveness is dependent on the comfort level of each player on any given hole/shot. You really don't want one out of play at any point during a hole, it just puts too much pressure on the one left in play.

[Dndjzirw]

What about on the greens? Any particular strategy need to be employed there?

[SantaClaus]

I don't really think there is a lot of strategy to be honest. Other than putting one in play off the tee so you can partner can be a little more aggressive if the hole allows for it I can't see much benefit to it. I'd just play it like normal, try and keep a big number off the card and be there to pick your partner up when he needs you.

[teridbruse]

What about on the greens? Any particular strategy need to be employed there?

This kind of depends. If you both have putts for birdie, I would say have the person with the makeable putt go last. Theory behind this is so that the person with the less makeable putt either makes it, or gets into a position where they can essentially guarantee a par. Then the person with the makeable putt can really give it an honest go without worrying about hitting it too far by.

It also really depends on how good each player is at putting. So I guess I really didn't help to much, haha.

[mensforyouthis]

The goal is to have both balls in play on the greens as much as possible. Your aggressiveness is dependent on the comfort level of each player on any given hole/shot. You really don't want one out of play at any point during a hole, it just puts too much pressure on the one left in play.

I agree with this. I just want to get both balls on the green in as few shots as possible. Then have one guy finish out then the other guy. Say you have 2 GIR, have the guy further away putt out and make par, then the guy with the shorter putt can really attack his birdie putt.

[lovespellszz]

I agree with Hawk. Let the better players go last on mostly everything. This way if the other guys happen to find a fairway or put one fairly close on a par three the good guys can get really aggressive! Plus what others have said, it takes the pressure off of the higher handicapped players.


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[avaincmolla]

I might be thinking somewhat backwards here, but I say if you are around a 5 and the other guy is around a 1, just each of you play your game and simply take advantage of the opportunities when they are there. If I was playing with my friend who is around a 1, I wouldn't change a thing. I know he'll be able to make par on most holes and birdies when he has a couple of good shots. Same for me, except I would be a little more unpredictable. Just about any player who is around a 1 is always 'playing safe'. Not because they are trying to, just because that is all they know how to do. You don't shoot even par (assuming he can) by hitting 3 balls a round in the water or OB. I say just let him play his game and stay out of the way. He can be more aggressive at times when you are in a good spot, but overall, you don't need to do anything fancy. Just play how you normally would. Only exception is that with two chances, one can always go after a pin and take a chance.

[Viafdrear]

Tee to green, I think each player should stick to his normal game plan. We are all trying to shoot our lowest score every day and to get out of one's "comfort zone" has the potential for disaster.

Where I think some strategy can help is on/around the green. If one player has a very good chance at par (eg. 6 foot putt) and the other has a remote chance for birdie (eg. 25 foot chip) I would like to see the par putt attempted first; if the putt is made the chipper can be aggressive; if the putt is missed the "chipper" can be a little more conservative and secure the par. If one player has a 10 foot birdie putt and the other is in a green side bunker have the bunker shot made first to set up the scenario presented above.

In general, if you usually play a conservative game, stick with it; if you are a "go-for-broke" player you might want to tone it down just a little but don't automatically lay up if that's not your style.

[GtmFeqJJ]

I might be thinking somewhat backwards here, but I say if you are around a 5 and the other guy is around a 1, just each of you play your game and simply take advantage of the opportunities when they are there. If I was playing with my friend who is around a 1, I wouldn't change a thing. I know he'll be able to make par on most holes and birdies when he has a couple of good shots. Same for me, except I would be a little more unpredictable. Just about any player who is around a 1 is always 'playing safe'. Not because they are trying to, just because that is all they know how to do. You don't shoot even par (assuming he can) by hitting 3 balls a round in the water or OB. I say just let him play his game and stay out of the way. He can be more aggressive at times when you are in a good spot, but overall, you don't need to do anything fancy. Just play how you normally would. Only exception is that with two chances, one can always go after a pin and take a chance.

I do agree with playing your own round but my rounds consist of a lot of pars and couple of bogey and maybe 1 birdie. I hit a lot of 3w/Hybrids. I'm long with the driver but a sprayer when it's off. My partner will make birdies. Since it's a member/guest i've never played in i'm not sure what the level of play will be. I'm guess the handicaps will be on the higher side. Birdies will probably be the only way we don't get nicked to death. Does that change people opinions about the level of aggressiveness. It's a two day event too. conservative on the first day and see where we're at or aggressive both days?

[POMAH_K]

I would also recommend the higher handicap always going first. That way the "player" knows exactly what kind of pressure they are under and what to do.

[aburva.org]

I play a lot of four-ball events (and even won one recently). My partner is a scratch golfer. I am a 12.

Is this a four-ball NET event? Whether or not it is a net event makes a huge difference in your strategy. When it is a net event, your job is to try your best to make par on the holes you stroke on, period. Your partner needs to help you do that as much as he can.

As for particular playing strategy, there are tons of ways you can help each other.

If you are on the same putting line and you are putting for par or bogey and your partner is putting for birdie, go first to show them the line.

Play an aggressive tee shot when your partner has positioned himself well off the tee but remember, if you blow it up, you are putting more pressure on your partner.

And the biggest way you can help each other... Staying focused. You have to encourage each other to play well, make good swings and stay in the game. It's very easy for one person to start to lose it and have that bad mojo affect the other person. Think of yourselves as being each other's caddy during the round.