What distance do you lay up to and what club do you use for that distance?

Question

I've been staying away from going for the green at 200+ yards as usually I am short or left or right and rarely on. Fringe and a short chip if I'm lucky, but usually ranges between 10-30 yard pitch which is a distance not even the pros like to play. They usually lay up to 'their distance' and use the perfect club to nail the ball pin high for a short put to save par or birdie.

I like to lay up to 90 yards and use my 50* Cobra Carbon CB Gap Wedge. This is my 105 yard club but a nice easy swing I'm deadly with and can nail it within 6 feet of the hole for, hopefully, a one-putt. My friends are calling my the One-Putt-King... LOL

And most of them aren't laying up to 'their distance' and struggling with tough chips and short pitches over trouble when they could have layed up and nailed a one or two putt. At worst its a bogey right?

So what's your distance and your club?

Answer 1

Well usually I will go for it in most instances (Anything under 250 on a Par 5) or (Anything under 310 on a Par 4).  Let's say i did have to lay up (long par 5's) I will usually try to put myself anywhere from 100-140yrds and take my SW to my 9i into the green (most reliable clubs in my bag)

Answer 2

I normally try not to lay up as long as I have a club that can reach the green.  Pin position and how well the green is protected are also factors. If I decide to go for it, even if I am left, right or short, I have enough confidence in my short game that I will get it up and down.  At a minimum, I know I am walking away with bogey at the worse.  Bogey is not a bad score, for a weekend golfer.

If I lay up, I try to get it between 80 and 120 yards.  From those distances, I can execute 1/2, 3/4, or full shots with my PW, GW, or SW that would put me in position to one putt.

Answer 3

if i like to leave a 75 metre shot or 82 yards. this leaves a perfect '9 o'clock' sand wedge which is my most consistant shot. i will only lay up on par 5s or if i'm in the trees or a bunkers and unable to go 4 the green. but if you feel you have a better chance at shooting a good score playing that way its a good idea.

Answer 4

re: poster above... wow... you manage your game well despite not knowing how to score a sand save or not even knowing what an up-and-down is...

Anyway, I like to layup to 88 yards... Use a SW and get it close to the hole as possible for normally a one-putt from there.

I love my 150 yard distance (9i) but still, at 150 I can leave it short, long, left or right 10 yards... Still a two putt... but if I one to the hole and its a tough one and have to hit a wood pure to get there, I'll just lay up with an iron to 88 yards and stroke a 56* for a safe shot. Either way i'm getting in the hole in two (hopefully) but 'going for it' could leave me with a bunker save, a tough bump and run from rough... 88 yards is my distance and I nail it from there 99.9% of the time.

I spend nearly half my driving range sessions practicing this range over and over and over.

Answer 5

This is how "I" would play a 323 yard par 4.   I would take a 4 or 5 iron and pound it safe at 150 to 160, then do it again to = @300 yards, I would then either bump and run or pitch it (softly), with my game, I would likely make the hole in two putts.  I wouldn't consider a driver unless it was a 400+ yard hole.

But this is my game, I know and trust my 8, 9, P and putts...

Don't do what I do, keep going and I'll catch up...

** LOL, I ask the questions to affirm and appease my doubt, I don't know everything and I hope this adds to the conversation in the game.

Answer 6

If I have to (or think it prudent) to lay up I like 100 yards left.  This becomes a nice controlled knock down pitching wedge with a lot of spin to hopefully get it close to the hole.

Answer 7

driver 230+ yards

3 wood 210 yards

5 wood 190 yards

3 iron 180 yards

4 iron 170 yards

5 iron 160 yards

6 iron 150 yards

7 iron 140 yards

8 iron 130 yards

9 iron 120 yards

pw 50* 110 yards

gw 52* 100 yards

aw 54* 90 yards

sw 56* 85 yards

lw 60* 65 yards