Controversial par 3 strategy. A few weeks ago I made a YouTube #shorts video designed to lower the score of an average golfer. Well it turns out this was quite the controversial topic, In this video I explain why I made the video and the logic behind it. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
The link to the YouTube #shorts video can be found here.
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My name is Brian Fitzgerald – I’m an Australian full time golf coach living in Melbourne and coaching at two venues. The Bayviews GC on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne and the Lang Lang GC in South Gippsland (both an hour and a quarter from Melbourne) where there are lot’s of Kangaroos.
FAQ:
How long have you been a golf coach? I qualified as a full member of the Australian PGA back in 1985. Wow I don’t feel that old.
Why do you make videos for YouTube? That is a great question and one I get asked a lot. I love helping people play better golf and people tell me I have a very unique coaching style that is very simple to understand. We really should do things simpler. I just make them to help people and if people like my videos they can either come for a golf lesson in person or if that is not possible you could join my membership program and I can then view your golf swing or any part of your game and really help improve what you do.
Do you always change some ones golf swing? To be perfectly honest I try not to. If I do try to change some ones golf swing I have to have a pretty good reason for doing so and the client has to be fully engaged and committed to both regular coaching and practice in order to make that change. Most people say they will do both with good intentions but most fall away pretty quickly.
So my preference is to change things that will improve their score easily. There are so many different ways to do this.
What do you film with? – I have a few few different cameras I use. An old GoPro Hero 4, an iPhone 6 and iPhone X, A Sony ZV1 and an old Panasonic Handy cam (I’m using that less and less now). I record my sound on an old iPhone 4.
What do you edit with? – About a year ago I switched to Adobe Premiere – prior to that it was Pinnacle Studio
Do you make money off YouTube? – Yes.It took me over 100 videos to make my first total $100 off adsense and then another 50 videos to make my next $100. I think it will slowly change, but VERY slowly.
I really enjoy your videos, how can I support you? – Here’s my ko-fi where you can buy me a coffee, beer or a burger should you wish (kind of like giving me a tip via : https://ko-fi.com/thegolfdoctor
Thanks for watching!
Brian
28 Comments
They obviously missed your opening…”If you’re an average golfer, and you play Par 3’s poorly…”. As you’ve said MANY times…play the shots you can make 7 or 8 times out of 10. Work on the others in a lesson or at the range.
Wow Brian – sorry you copped the flack; I thought your video made complete sense! And what you say now also makes sense. Thanks Brian for your tips.
Of course you are correct Brian. It’s not how, but how many that counts!
good on you Fitzy , great advice
Whew! I'm glad I didn't comment on that video Brian! 🙂 I, do however agree with all that you said! I feel that one should always play within their ability. And, if you have no ability in bunker play, then stay clear of the bunkers. Although I have gotten better with my bunker play, I don't test myself. I avoid bunkers at all cost. If there is a "sucker" pin right behind a side bunker, then I play for the center of the green. I'm far happier with the results! Good Job Brain! One should never criticize your logic! 🙂
Anyone with 1/2 a brain would have understood what you meant in the original video….
“Those who can do, those who can’t complain…”
Those who don't like the advice just move on! Play to your abilities. When I was a young tacker and single figure handicapper, I played a lot of golf with my pop and his retired mates (many WWII pilots, who had careers later with Qantas, Ansett and TAA — some amazing war stories, but I digress). Their handicaps ranged from high single figures to high 20s, but they were all CRAFTY at their game — and very consistent. My pop's go-to shot out of our local bunkers (hard sand, clay-based course, very small lipped grass bunker faces) was often to PUTT the ball — hit a hard shot, into the grassy face, and the ball would pop up and roll nicely near the pin. He was off about 12. Or he'd scoot the ball around the side of the bunker and use the curved side to ricochet the ball in the right direction. Didn't need to use a sand wedge. He'd even use that flat faced putter from under the tree line for a lot of bump and run type shots in summer. Didn't ever lob the ball high — besides our course was often windy, and keeping it low made sense anyway (there were days when 300+ golfers in a men's Saturday comp couldn't hit a sub 170m par 3 into a huge northerly wind — no nearest the pin, let alone the 204m Par 3!). That's the magic of handicaps — that extra shot or two needs a bit of craftiness, so take advantage of what works.
Fitzy. Mate if the people who are having a at you could not see what you were trying to explain WELL all l can say to them is get a grip. Keep up the GREAT WORK mate I certainly appreciate what you are trying to do and enjoy all your insight.
Brian ignore the negative comments i only ever get great advice from you , keep up the great video's and advice
most people understand what you were trying to say Brian. So I wouldn't worry too much about them. I mean people can choose to take the advice or not but some try to be clever and criticise. if they were that good then why aren't they putting out their own content for comment. for info when I was a member at a links course the bump and run was my best friend as well as the 100 yard putter. so chin up Brian keep up the good work because the majority of us appreciate it 👏
I'm an 18 Handicapper and as all our Par 3's are protected by bunkers I play short on all the holes; pitch / chip in and 2 put. The best advice I have received for years. Thank you so much. Love the common sense! Thank you.
Your advice is good. Ignore those negative comments. I’m a 23 handicap and I avoid bunkers because some of ours are very steep and if I get out first attempt the ball won’t be as near to the flag as it would if I layer up then chipped on.
We have 3 holes with a lot of protection so I use your strategy on those holes and I often beat my playing partners who get themselves into trouble going for the green. 🇬🇧
They probably spent longer typing the comment than they ever would practising in a bunker. Nothing controversial about being smart! I quite like this strategy on par 4's when there's over 150yrds to the green and hazards in front. Nothing negative about it, for me it just means I'm in a good position to attack a par (good chip/pitch and putt), or a stress free bogey. There's 18 holes, why kill your card for 1 hole of bravado. The clocks have changed over here giving an extra hour of daylight, so 1st evening round of golf planned later. Have a good week!
Excellent advice Brian. I still adopt this strategy on my problem holes
All the best
David
I'm sorry to hear this, BF. Your message was perfectly clear, and your advice was perfect. Keep up the great work. (79 at Ivanhoe in the rain today, including a triple on the 10th!) 😎⛳️
what I love about your videos Brian is you are catering to the majority of people who might be able to golf once a month and possibly practice once a week/fortnight. We aren't going to be able to play every shot perfect. Some fail to understand that skill vs course management are two very different things.
🙄 the majority are 💯 grateful for all that you do. The minority need to go in a bunker and stay there 😂
Keep on being you Brian. Helpful, patient, kind and knowledgeable 🌟
I'm an 18 and your strategy is right for my handicap range on most pars 3's surrounded by sand. So it's skill level and the course layout combination. If their is sand only on one side, then aim at left edge.
Agree, thinking better saves more strokes than most anything else
“Be kind to unkind people: they need it the most.”
(I wish I was able to… but I’m just so grateful for your tips, Brian)
thank you for helping us regular golfers. forget the nay- sayers. thank you Brian
I thought your original video was just sound advice for those that struggle in bunkers and with an average handicap. If you are off 18, that 4 got you 2 points easy so you played to handicap and didn't blow the hole and your chances for the day.
This concept is called playing to personal par, ie the hole is rated 13, so anyone on 13 or higher 4 for 2 points is a good score. clearly from the comments on video some players dont have game plans for each hole, and seem content to blaze away
Can you make video's on playing long par 3's ie 160m. to 170m.
Interesting stats for you. of players over 13 handicaps last weekend on this hole 1player made =2, 24 players made=3 49 players made =4 17players =5 12 players =wiped hole.
dont know how many shot could have been saved had they adopted your method. ???
I knew what you meant, there's always people (id—-) that will complain about anything. Keep doing what you're doing, you're doing a great job.
Brian, while the logic for this course strategy is very sound (as your videos always are), this strategy is probably not really for beginner golfers and much better suited for seasoned golfers who have short game skills but probably struggle a little bit with ball striking especially at long distance. My reasoning is based on my own experience when I just started out: I remember struggling more with feel-based shots such as chipping, pitching, and putting when compared to full swing iron shots. That is because I, just like a lot of beginners do, spent a long time practicing full iron shots at driving ranges instead of chipping/pitching, let alone punch shots with long irons that you demonstrated in the video as your tee shot. While I now understand those skills are very valuable skills to have, hitting a 5 iron punch shot to the front of the green was not an easy task. The second shot (chipping using a 7 iron) can also be as challenging. As I mentioned earlier, distance control with chipping is very challenging for someone who just start out. I found this especially true with longer irons because while it is easier to hit the ball, they have less margin of errors in terms of distance control (i.e. it is so easy to hit it too short or too far because the ball goes much further than higher lofted clubs). Lastly, we also usually don't get the best lies to chip from if the tee off happens to be too short as a lot of par 3s are not designed/maintained to have the best fairways until we get closer to the greens. For total beginners, I was thinking a different strategy can be a good alternative: Play from forward tee, and try to hit directly to the green. If the ball indeed ends up in one of the bunkers, move the ball outside of the bunker and take the penalty. Would love to hear your opinion on this.
I'm a high handicapper, and your strategy has helped me tremendously. Thanks to you advice , I've broken 90 for the first time! Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!
Brian, I use the same strategy on difficult par 3''s, lay up, pitch on 2 putt and walk away with 2 pts. Smart play for mid to high handicappers
I agree with you but there's always the idiots who can't understand what's being said. The "I never listen brigade". Keep making this alternative view on golf improvement mate