124: Why Laying Up is a Losing Strategy

Laying up is a LOSING strategy - despite being sage advice.

Simply put, when you hit it closer to the green you give yourself shorter putts & shoot lower scores.

As mentioned in this Golf.com article, "There's no range — for any skill level — where laying up to a favorite number, club or any other "favorite" makes mathematical sense if your other option is to send your next shot farther up the fairway (even if it ends up in light rough).

The rub is that most golfers, especially weekend players, overestimate the potential success of hitting a 4-iron to a "preferred" layup yardage and underestimate the odds of hitting a 3-wood into a safe position nearer the hole. Send it when you can is your best strategy when you can lay up to any distance you want."

You aren't better at 80 vs. 40 yards (or whatever you think is your perfect distance). Sure, you might change strategies on some shots based on hazards or bunkers but don't lay up voluntarily for a perfect club or distance.

You will shoot lower scores when you have shorter approach shots. Save the layups for basketball and start attacking par 5s to score like a pro.

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