The 2nd Cut Newsletter: Edition #13
My Par 5 Debacle, Balancing Caring Too Much and Not Enough, Chips from 10-20 Yards, A Quick Poll, and more
“We're not afraid of risk. We don't seek out risk. We reduce risk.” - David Tepper
Edition #13
Welcome back to The 2nd Cut Newsletter, Edition #13! Thank you for reading and subscribing.
If you haven’t read last week’s Deep Dive check it out here: The 2nd Cut: Greatest Hits
In today’s Newsletter: My Par 5 Debacle, Balancing Caring Too Much and Not Enough, Chips from 10-20 Yards, A Quick Poll, and more
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My Par 5 Debacle
My wife and I played with a couple of friends last Friday (shout out to Jen and Mike). It was a perfect day for golf and the course was in great shape. I was playing well. Driving the ball solid, ton of GIRs, and lag putting was on point. It was shaping up to be a pretty good round. Then came the 17th hole...
It was a long Par 5 with a blind shot and a narrow fairway, reachable water on the left. I should have gone 5 wood but instead, I pulled out my driver. I hit it in the hazard left. Mistake #1.
Now the real mistake. Instead of getting the ball safely into the fairway for an easy 80-yard approach shot I decided to take out the 5-wood and make up for my prior mistake. Mistake #2.
The lie was slightly downhill, in the rough, over water, ~260 yards out.
We’re drinks involved? Maybe. But mostly it was me not accepting the prior mistake. Compounding errors.
I easily could have hit a smooth 7-iron and had an 80 to 100-yard shot in. Two putts, bogey, call it a day.
Of course, I didn’t do that. I proceeded to top my 5-wood into the water.
What exactly did I think would happen here? Even if I hit the greatest shot of my life I most likely wouldn’t even be on the green. I ended up with a Triple Bogey costing myself a round in the 70s, all because I couldn’t let go of the prior shot.
It was still a fun day. In years past that 8 might of bothered me for a while, but it is what it is. There’s always next week.
I’ll leave you with this quote from an old Daily Divot: The Next Shot
“Whatever you did on the last shot is irrelevant to the next shot. Focus on the current situation and make the best decision going forward.”
Tweets of the Week
I couldn’t agree with Jon more (@practicalgolf). I used to want to shoot a certain score going into a round. My expectations were high. If I had a bad hole or two those expectations would get the best of me forcing me into dumb decisions and compounding errors (see above). link
It’s not easy, but I’ve gotten to the point where I still care; however, I pair that with the acceptance that my scores are going to vary. Some days I’ll have it, some days I won’t.
In Edition #7, I talked about Accepting Variance. It’s a good reread, but here’s a snippet that encapsulates the above:
My biggest problem was not matching expectations with reality. As Jon Sherman said, “[Golfers] go out hoping for their best scores. Additionally, they have a tough time accepting their higher scores.” By accepting the variability of golf I was better able to match my expectations with reality and in turn, stay more focused throughout a round.
Right now I know I’m generally going to shoot between 77 and 85. Occasionally I’m going to go low and sometimes I’ll post a 90. It is what it is.
By accepting this variance (and caring a little less), you will paradoxically play better. It will also help you focus more on the present shot, versus thinking about the future (your score).
Like most things, it’s easier said than done, but having a rough idea of your normal scoring range can help you gain acceptance and care a little less.
This is Lou Stagner’s new golf simulator man cave and I’ve never wanted something more in my life. One day! Check out his tweet for the video. link
T2C Media
This is a good quick read if you're looking to introduce your kids or grandkids to golf. link
I have two girls who like to “golf” with me and my wife. “Golf” right now generally means getting a hot dog at the turn, picking out a treat, and steering the cart on our laps. But they enjoy it, and we get to golf as a family.
TLDR
Get the right equipment
Make it fun
Try a training grip
Create a positive association
Bonus tip: Try teeing off from the fairway about 50 to 100 yards out. It keeps things moving, but also lets them play out the hole like we do.
Cool advertisement from 1910 for Colonel Golf Balls. It shows various-sized floater and non-floater balls made by the St. Mungo Manufacturing Co Ltd of Newark, Jersey (my grandfather’s hometown). h/t @goldenageofgolf
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Golf is a funny game. One day you feel like you figured it out and can’t miss, the next day you're contemplating hanging it up for the season. Shout out to my wife who is currently in the latter category. (h/t @mattnalley18)
Stat of the Week
In 2023, PGA Tour pros averaged 7 feet to the hole from 10 - 20 yards out.
Generally, this is a chip from the rough or fairway that amateurs see quite often.
If you truly want to reduce your scores you need to play the odds. Getting too aggressive on short-sided shots and/or tough lies is what leads to big numbers.
Take your medicine in these situations. Good golf is boring golf.
Sometimes the stars align and the safe play coincides with getting aggressive and going for the flag. You get a good lie, you have a ton of green to work with. Go for it.
But if your short sided or your lie is not ideal, err on the side of caution. Pick a spot on the green that gives you the highest margin for error, get it on the green, two putt and call it a successful bogey.
Get it on the green!!!
Play the odds. Boring golf is good golf
Poll
Quick poll to gauge the overall goals of The 2nd Cut readers!
Thank you for reading The 2nd Cut Newsletter! I hope you enjoyed it and found something helpful for your golf game.
Feel free to email me at the2ndcut@substack.com or submit a comment at the end of the newsletter with any comments, questions, or suggestions you may have. I really appreciate the feedback.
Til next time.
