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Why do i always hit a tree?

• chrisironsbones 3,524 Posts

  Wed, May 16 2012 4:44 AM

  Qualifying for the open on 15 occasions i've been -4 teeing off at the 5th, every single time on those 15 occasions i 've hit a tree somewhere on the hole.  2 minutes ago my tee shot (knowing a tree comes into it at some point) i aimed left of the tree, under hit my drive to stay on fairway, yet my DINGED drive went between the 2 branches that hang down, not to the left where i had aimed, then hit a tree further down the fairway.  Any way, no probs, still had 229 to pin, and on f'way. Use my 3i aim at centre of fairway away from trees, again my shot hits another branch but no where near a tree.  This ONLY happens if i'm -4.  Other times i've been -3 and gone through the trees, i cant remember ever hitting a tree except when i'm at -4.  What the heck can you do if you do everything you can to avoid a tree when you aim, yet WGT seems to automatically make you hit one.  BUT ONLY AT -4, never any other score?????  I just find it a bit odd that every single time i've birdied the first 4 holes, on the 5th it halts the round and sends me back wards.  Even playing safe doesn't seem to work. 

   

• seniorbruno 796 Posts

  Wed, May 16 2012 5:13 AM

  The course super should head out to #5 w/ a chainsaw. The tree down the right side will knock a ball down, too. What makes it worse is that on the first hole, you can drive it right through the trees with no penalty.

• chrisironsbones 3,524 Posts

  Wed, May 16 2012 5:21 AM

  The pro shop would make a killing if they sold chainsaws for 5000 credits, and you then get 3 goes with it until it expires!!

  But its a joke, i was -2 at the 5th just now, i aimed between the 2 overhanging branches, used topspin and underhit drive slightly, and i tried my best to hit a tree, what happens, the ball goes through the first overhanging branches, then the tree i hit last time, it also went through that too, not just to the side, but right through it, and i birdie the hole.  I think its programmed in to make you hit a tree if you're doing o.k just to toughen up the round a bit. 

  Therefore, in stead of being cautious and trying to protect the -4, its best to just aim for a tree

• xXxxMARCxxXx 427 Posts

  Wed, May 16 2012 5:53 AM

  Chris, maybe just use a driver punch next time.  Still gives you distance and def keeps trees out of play.  Unless of course, there is a magic invisible tree that pops up on -4 players  ;-)

• CerinoDevoti 3,232 Posts

  Wed, May 16 2012 6:16 AM

  Sounds like you're not hitting a fade around the corner. Once I found the groove I've been able to hit it around the corner and never hit the trees.

• chrisironsbones 3,524 Posts

  Wed, May 16 2012 6:17 AM

  xXxxMARCxxXx:

  Chris, maybe just use a driver punch next time.  Still gives you distance and def keeps trees out of play.  Unless of course, there is a magic invisible tree that pops up on -4 players  ;-)

  Yes next time i will punch at -4, but any other score i seem to be able to go straight through the trees with any drive!  

  But thanks for the tip, i punched the drive when i was -4, and i am now -5 on the 6th.  AT last, the tree's aren't out to get me.  THANKS

• Richard4168 4,309 Posts

  Wed, May 16 2012 6:58 AM

  Your doing good to take off some power, but try using top spin as well. It will keep the ball on a lower trajectory without sacrificing distance, and you'll get a good roll-out.

  I normally have a 200 yard +/- approach shot to the green on most occasions there. You also don't need to overly compensate for the wind on that drive because of the -51 foot drop in elevation.

  Using punch isn't a bad play on a good helping wind, but on any other wind speeds, it leaves a very long approach shot when the drive is punched.

  Its not uncommon to hit a 300 yard drive on hole 5 at Olympic, even choking down on the driver. I wonder how the real pros will do on that hole during the Open?

• saltiresfan 2,266 Posts

  Wed, May 16 2012 6:58 AM

  The tee positions are dodgy imo. When I playing the front 9 from master tees I was hitting the trees at the 4th every other round but from the legend tees those trees aren't a problem anymore.

  Still find it ridiculous that the best way not to hit the tree on the first is to aim right at it.

   

  With apologies to Travis:

   

  Why do I always hit a tree?
  
  Is it because I’m minus seventeen? (four)
  
  Why do I always a hit a tree?
  
  Even when the sun is shining
  
  I can’t avoid the lichen
  
  I can’t stand this game
  
  I’m being frustrated by invisible men

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Wed, May 16 2012 7:06 AM

  Time out!!  You're saying this ONLY happens when you're -4? No other time?? And every other time you have no problems with it??!!

  I think you need a break, Chris. Really.

• hpurey 11,505 Posts

  Wed, May 16 2012 7:17 AM

  Hmmmm... so, just need to remember to change point of aim at -4.