Approach shots !

On average 120 to 200 on par 4's - now ! what do you do next !

Of course it depends is the green guarded by bunkers is there a very large pond to your left or right are there trees in the way. I put my question on the longer approach because there are more alternatives open to discussion. So lets say a 190 yard approach with "hazzards" of the kind I just mentioned between 170 and 210  Hazzards will obviosly dictate the mode of this communication because each course would present differing challenges to the individual . I will end by saying go for it if for fun but in competition pick the best option which would limit shot penalty  !

"How does one spell Hazzards"  ???????

 I would not regard anything post 150 yds as an approach shot. My definition of an approach shot is how close can I put it to the pin. Anything over that 150yd distance I think you need to be incrementally aware that you really wont get there

I cannot hit either of those clubs 200 yards, Wayne, so I tend to lay up for position.

With a wedge I expect to hit the green and be relatively close to the pin 100% of the time. 9 iron and 8 iron are the same.

200 yards out, unless its a ditch or water aroun the green you have to go for it with whatever might get you there, same in a comp, can't see the point of laying up from that distance unless there are real penalties, so what if you go in a bunker, you may be putting for birdie/eagle.

 Hitting woods is something I'd rather not do. I can hit a three iron 220yds. I now have only one wood in my bag (driver). See what you people have driven me to do... four bloody wedges in my bag since I joined here.

I too have four wedges, Patrick, don't listen to these drive for show guys.

Rather pleased with myself last evening on the 13th at Bird Hills. 

Third shot was approach to green of around 160 yards with water guarding the green and pin cut near the front.  Fair wind behind.

Well struck 7 iron landed 4' from the hole.  Putted in for birdie 4.  I know luck had a part to play, but it didn't half feel good. 

Must of been a long low runner Andy - ya can see the white of the ball melted to the fairway...

Well done...It is nice when it comes off...

Or so I am told.....

John, what do you have? I (what I class as my wedges) are a taylormade tour preferred s/w (I assume to bo 56* but it does a ful 20 yds past my Nike SV 56) plus my joy of joys Nike56 * and 60. You know I actually look forward to approach shots. 

Matt

Pic screen dumped and cropped from google earth (useful measurement tools for checking the length of those long straight drives)

Pic uploaded to golfshake via 'my media'.  Shortcut to picture copied once uploaded then pasted as url into the 'insert picture' gizmo button thing on this 'post reply' thingy.

simple

Patrick, my PW and SW are the same make as my irons. Callaway X 14's at 48 deg and 56 deg. I purchased separately an X 14 Gap wedge of 52deg and I have a shank proof F2 lob wedge at 60 deg. I also have a shank proof f2 wedge at 46 deg, but very rarely carry it. So I have four degrees between them all.

I'd almost always go for the green if I had a club that could get there, aside from anything silly like trying to hit a 3 wood to an island green.

Only thing I will do is aim or take a club to try to take the hazards out of play...in the example picture above I would have taken a club to get to the middle of the green so if I miss hit it a bit I wouldn't end up in the drink.

 Different story if I have a wedge in my hand, most cases then I will shoot for the pin (and then hit it fat into the water....)

 On my old course on one green if the pin was cut in the front I would deliberately underclub so as not to have a downhill putt as it was impossible to keep on the green.