This is all that needs to be said. If you think you are the exception, you're wrong. From closely mown areas, 99% of players are going to be better on average with the putter.


But this is true as well:

It also depends on who we're talking about. I'm a low-mid single digit, and I'm talking about myself. If we're talking about a high handicapper I'd probly say different.

First off LOL at this 20% number you have pulled out of thin air.

2nd I have talked with plenty of very good short game teachers who say the 1 club thing. For most golfers who never practice it is silly for them to try all sorts of different shots with different clubs. They don't have the time to practice them all. They are much better off taking a 56* for example and practicing how to hit different shots with that particular club. Learn to hit low bump and runs, learn to hit your normal chip, learn how to hit a higher softer shot.

It also complicates things on the course, I see people all of the time carrying 4 different clubs over to their ball that is just off the green. Then it takes them forever to decide what club is best. It is a nightmare.

Take 1 club, learn to hit a low,medium, and high shot with it and the average golfer would be infinitely better off.

Agree 100% with Nxt. Pretty sure Jack Nicklaus only ever used one wedge within 50 yards of the green. He could hit any shot with that one club.

Personally I'll hit 95% of my chip/pitches with either a 60 degree or a 9iron. If I want to hit a chip and run but have a little more fringe to carry I might use a PW.

And it's not because I don't get to practice much that I do this, I practice almost every day. Its just easier.

EDIT: With regard to the original question, in most cases putting is best, if you have a bit of rough to go through try a hybrid or something

Putt whenever possible. Its like when a 15+ handicapper asks were is the flag? Stupid question he/she should always just aim at center of the green

Obviously the answer is yes because you wouldn't have posted it otherwise, but do you honestly believe the effort any player puts into learning how to "hood" a 56 degree wedge to hit it low, or to do all the other things you want him to be able to accomplish with a single club is better time spent than learning how varying loft will affect the same swing?

I'm talking about chipping. You're suggesting a guy that needs to carry the ball 10 feet of mess and 60 feet of green should use a wedge to hit a low running shot instead of just bumping a 9 or 8 iron? Or do you think he's going to be more accurate trying on average to carry it to a spot 15 feet in front of the hole?

I'm sure that it may be possible that a player without good short game fundamentals or knowledge of what he's trying to do will learn more from understanding how the club affects the shot than trying to manipulate his sandwedge to have it perform like four different clubs...

There is no learning involved, you simply close the face, put your hands a little more forward...how is that complicated?

Same with a high shot, everything is the same except you open the face...simple

The absolute best thing an amateur could do is to learn proper chopping/pitching technique and then from there learn how use ball position to alter the trajectory. You don't have to "hood" a wedge to hit a lower chip shot. Just change the ball position, further back for lower shots and forward for higher shots. Nothing else needs to change, you can make the same move and produce significantly different shots.

I generally agree with getting the ball onto the ground as soon as possible and will alter what shot I choose to play based on that.

Oh comon Reid these part time amateurs can easily manipulate a 7 iron to act like a SW and vice versus. Amateurs these days are so much better than in the past.

BO or Ship please save this thread ASAP before I have an aneurysm!

OK if you play 5 times a year and don't practice 1 club is probably better otherwise NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO....

Hopefully they save you before dagolfdoc comes and confirms most of what I've said ending all hope of avoiding your aneurysm.

I'm happy to crush anyone in this debate. Bring'em on.

Everlastrr, are you a professional golf instructor?

i always thought on the fringes of the green, putting using a 7irom was the correct play?

I was yes.

Everlastrr I think you're missing the point.

1) When I say 1 club, I don't mean one club 100% of the time. I mean 1 club for all shots unless the situation calls for something different - so, like 90% of the time or whatever. For example, I use a 52 degree wedge for almost any shot near the greens. But if I have a situation that calls for a 7-iron bump and run, I hit the 7-iron. If I absolutely have to flop over something, I pull the lob wedge.

2) One club for most situations means that you learn very well how hard you have to swing to get the ball to go a certain distance. But if you're always changing clubs, you have to learn, ok, so I have a 30-foot chip, do I use 7- 8- or 9-iron? Or a wedge? how hard do I have to stroke an 7-iron compared to the 9-iron to get it to go that distance? What is the trajectory like of these clubs, can I get it over the 6 feet of rough that I have in front of me? and on and on and on. With my one club, I know that, ok, Ive got a 30-foot chip. I use this club all the time so I know exactly how hard to swing to get it to go 30 feet. I know the trajectory and spin of this club very well and I know how to get my result. No guessing "do I hit 8-or 9-iron?" involved.

None of this has much bearing on the chipping vs. putting debate really - my thoughts on that: If I have 5 or less feet of fringe or smooth fairway in front of me I'll putt. Anywhere further or less smooth than that I'll chip.