Winning Strategy vs Strategic Options...

[JESII]

Would you agree that on the sliding scale of difficult 3's, plugged in the face of a bunker would be high on the list? Of the infinite other possible outcomes for Mr K's drive on that hole, how far down the difficulty list would you have to go before you playing for 3 is dictated to you? I bet not very far. If he misses the green in a tough but not impossible spot you have to make 3 to win or tie. If he lays up you have to make 3 to win or tie. Very few outcomes of his drive will change what result you need, at least when viewed after only one shot.

[TEPaul]

This kind of discussion about match vs stroke play and the various "strategic" nuances between, as well as the fact that there always appears to be so little consensus of opinion or agreement in these discussions only goes to prove the fascination that they (the two distinctly different formats) create in golf.

Discussing strategic considerations in stroke play golf is probably a bit more straight-forward since in the minds of most good players what they tend to do or think about most in stroke play golf is to basically avoid making some catosrophic mistake that can take out their entire day or tournament. Clearly, in stroke play generally good players tend to play slightly more conservatively than they might under some circumstances in match play.

But even comparing the way good players approach match play is interesting because they can and do approach it very differently.

We all know about Bob Jones theory of "old man" par even probably in match play. And a number of years ago during dinner I asked two of America's best lady amateur players how they approach match play.

One said she only played the golf course and rarely if ever watched her opponent (Robin Weiss) while the other said she reacts to and makes decisions depending entirely on whatever her match play opponent is doing at any particular time (Carole Semple Thompson).

[JESII]

This highlights the problem with being a GCA participant. Neither I or JakaB have ever played Riviera.

Do we try to beat our opponent when we play Riviera, (likely for the first and last time) or do we play for the shot values and take a play for the 10th green off the tee?

You put too much stock in what others expect of you on here. I'll never view the game exactly as anyone else on here and would not want any of them to view the game exactly as I do. Do you think Kavanaugh ever asks himself a question like yours above?

[John Kavanaugh]

Re: #10 at Riviera, wouldn't you stand on that tee every time assesing your best chance for a 3?

Jes,

That is an amazing thought process that I have never considered using.  On par threes do you try to make your tee shot or just set yourself up for a 2...

[JESII]

We all know about Bob Jones theory of "old man" par even probably in match play. And a number of years ago during dinner I asked two of America's best lady amateur players how they approach match play.

Tom,

I think Jones credit's his success (later in his career) in match play events to adopting this approach. I think he tried to adopt a stroke play mindset to his match play events.

[JESII]

Re: #10 at Riviera, wouldn't you stand on that tee every time assesing your best chance for a 3?

Jes,

That is an amazing thought process that I have never considered using.  On par threes do you try to make your tee shot or just set yourself up for a 2...

John,

That statement was geared specifically for #10 at Riviera because length and catastrophic hazards are not an issue. Very few holes can say that for as large a percentage of golfers, especially par 3's.

[John_Cullum]

JES

Too paraphrase Tom Weiskopf, if I knew how Barney thought, I would be doing something else.

[John_Cullum]

JES

Too seriously answer your question, if I'm playing JakaB in a stroke play competition, I am just going to try to figure out realistically where I can hit my tee shot so I can have a good chance at getting my second shot close. I am never going to tmake a play for that green if I don't think my chances of hitting it are pretty good. (I assume a slight miss makes for a tough up and down)

[JESII]

And how about in Match Play when you have the tee?

[JESII]

Or how about in Stroke Play if you've just made a few birdies in a row or shanked a couple of wedges?

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