[defenderfors]

There is a par 5 at the course I play at that measures 520yards, and I would always hit driver to about 200-240 yards out, Not usually on the fairway but usually first cut leaving me with a very reachable second shot for me, but not with a club I'm comfortable with. In my mind, it's go for it go for it go for it. most often than not I would have the distance, but be way off target leading me to an awkward 3rd shot and would be lucky to save par most days, I've had a few eagles with this method, but more bogies than anything.

Last week I went out with a good buddy of mine and we were playing with no drivers to see how it would go as a fun round of golf and change strategy as we both have this course well beyond memorized. Anyways, I got to this hole and pulled out my 3h and hit one dead down the middle, leaving me about 260 away, with a funky lie for the fairway I took out my 6 iron to on line 70 yards away where I then hit a wedge to 5 feet for an easy birdie. Since then I've played this hole 4 more times, and 4 more birdies with this new "strategy" of mine. Just seeing any other different par 5 routines that aren't necessarily "the normal" I've tried bombing the drives but I'll hook it to well left of anything good and when I swing light I'll slice or push the ball. 3h of the tee is my new go to on this hole and when playing with people who aren't my usual partners, some strange looks face in my direction.

[pimbertiemoft]

I'm a three shot guy as well, though I'm still taking driver off the tee most times.

[JasminBerkova]

Anything over 500 and I'm in the 3 shot game too, but like Hawk I'm hitting driver when it's smart.

[loikrso]

I'm a three shot guy as well, though I'm still taking driver off the tee most times.

I'll take driver 99% of the time just because it'll leave me with a shorter layup shot if I can't get there, as well as the chance to get there if I can. If I know I have a club that can get there, the only thing that'll hold me back is the lie. Sidehill lie with the ball above me feet, layup. I can't hit a long iron or fairway wood from that lie and it usually turns into bogey when I try.

[pimbertiemoft]

Fact: I've only "gone for it" twice in my entire life lol.

[wrardymar]

Make a par and be happy. I always try to go for it in 2 and never come close.

[defenderfors]

I'll take driver 99% of the time just because it'll leave me with a shorter layup shot if I can't get there, as well as the chance to get there if I can. If I know I have a club that can get there, the only thing that'll hold me back is the lie. Sidehill lie with the ball above me feet, layup. I can't hit a long iron or fairway wood from that lie and it usually turns into bogey when I try.

Exactly, Side hill lies I'm worthless and will either push or pull the ball about 60 yards. The reason I leave the driver in the bag on this hole now is more of a mental thing than anything. IF I can reach in 2, I'll go for it because I can't tell myself no haha

[2CNWXAqN]

It all depends on how long the par 5 is and how you are hitting the ball at the time. If you are smashing the driver all day and have bucket-loads of confidence then a "2 shot" is probably on. If you are standing over a 220-230 yard second shot with shaky confidence,then it has to be a 6 iron lay-up all day long and give yourself a good chance at birdie but a safe-as-houses par...

[defenderfors]

Fact: I've only "gone for it" twice in my entire life lol.

If I had this composure, I would be a much better golfer haha

[padlabtard]

I'll only hit driver off the tee on a par 5 if I have a shot at it in two. If its going to be a 3 shot hole, then I just hit a hybrid or a 3 wood off the tee. I think I read a study once that the scoring average on the PGA tour for laying up on par 5's and going for it was withing 0.1 That should tell you what you need to know.

[Sheelldaw]

Fact: I've only "gone for it" twice in my entire life lol.

Sounds like my......I better not say that!!

[loikrso]

I'll only hit driver off the tee on a par 5 if I have a shot at it in two. If its going to be a 3 shot hole, then I just hit a hybrid or a 3 wood off the tee. I think I read a study once that the scoring average on the PGA tour for laying up on par 5's and going for it was withing 0.1 That should tell you what you need to know.

They're really good wedge players and putters?

[Coededgeme]

I have personally subscribed to this method as well lately.

If I have 230+ into a Par 5, the chances of me landing it on the green, much less a make able eagle putt are rare. Whereas if i lay up to 50 yards or less, I am almost always guaranteed a birdie putt and am looking at no worst than PAR.

Going for it in two leads to more bogeys than birdies.

[padlabtard]

They're really good wedge players and putters?

Yes they are, but I found it interesting. I would bet that for amateurs the scoring average is better for those that layup over those that go for it.

[AngegepeM]

I am really looking at my Par 5 strategies more now because for some reason, par 5's haven't been great for me. Last Sunday I played well and shot +6 on a course I haven't played in years. I had 2 doubles on par 5's along with a birdie and a par. At my home course with a good drive you can get to 3 of the 4 par 5's. Perhaps this weekend I will try laying up on all of them and seeing what it gives me. I just hate it if that second shot is just a 70 yard pitch shot, drives me crazy and makes me think I'm wasting a stroke.

[SantaClaus]

Anything over 220 out and I'm laying up. Under 220 (and in either fairway or first cut) I'm going for it unless there is really severe trouble close to green, i.e. water or OOB. Then again my wedge game from 100-50 yards is the weakest part of my game at the moment, while my short game is pretty good so this tactic works for me.

[loikrso]

Yes they are, but I found it interesting. I would bet that for amateurs the scoring average is better for those that layup over those that go for it.

Probably, so long as they lay up to a full or comfortable number for them. On the flip side, if I put you around the green whether the rough, collection area, bunker etc. and you're hitting your third from there, what are the odds you're going to make par or better from there vs from 100-120 out?

[Twelearly]

I hit my 2 hybrid about 250 - 260 so when I see a par 5 at about the same distance your at I go back to back hybrids if I'm not on the green I'm just off and have a little up and down

[padlabtard]

Probably, so long as they lay up to a full or comfortable number for them. On the flip side, if I put you around the green whether the rough, collection area, bunker etc. and you're hitting your third from there, what are the odds you're going to make par or better from there vs from 100-120 out?

Par, pretty good, birdie more likely with my third from 100-120 but thats my game. But by hitting driver off the tee and bringing in more trouble, and then hitting a long iron/hybrid/3 wood for your second and bringing in more trouble, and then possibly a tricky short game shot, you've brought bogey or higher really into play. If I hit 3 hybrid off the tee, then 6/7 iron for my second and a wedge with my third, I've made par really my worst possible score.

[defenderfors]

Probably, so long as they lay up to a full or comfortable number for them. On the flip side, if I put you around the green whether the rough, collection area, bunker etc. and you're hitting your third from there, what are the odds you're going to make par or better from there vs from 100-120 out?

Personally, I'm more comfortable hitting from 100-120 out than a bunker/4 inch grass, ect. @coolbreeze, That's an interesting statistic you posted about the PGA, I haven't heard or read that before. I would certainly agree that my par average is much, much higher when laying up