[Kim Maengnyeong's Golf English Conversation] "Why Percentage Golf Is Important"

'Probability Golf' is the shortcut to score making.

‘Percentage golf’.

It is the shortcut to score making. It is to avoid traps created by course designers. Byron Nelson (USA) emphasized, "Golf is a percentage game, and I play the percentages." He is a legend who won 54 times on the PGA Tour, including 5 major victories. In 1945, he played in 35 tournaments and reached the ‘18-win mark’.

Golfers decide everything by themselves in any situation. Percentage golf is a strategy that aims for the safer side based on the percentage of success and failure when attacking the hole. Most golfers have percentage shots and percentage clubs. Skilled players with a handicap of 3 or less distinguish well between when to attack and when to hold back, so their scores do not deteriorate significantly.

Percentage golf is, in other words, smart golf. Rather than reckless challenges like miracle shots, it chooses wise percentage shots that circumvent crises (A smart golfer can play percentage shots). If there are ponds and deep bunkers lurking, the layup is to send the ball to the fairway first. Here, ‘up’ means "to neatly finish or arrange." On par 3 holes with obstacles, ‘2 on 1 putt’ might be better.

Percentage golf is often applied even in the professional world. On the final day of a tournament, if leading by a large margin, the focus is on safe shots. Playing high-percentage golf doesn’t mean playing timidly or with excess caution. It is course management that minimizes risk by reducing missed shots as much as possible (selecting the percentage shot is usually the best policy).

Golfer A: There is a pond about 190 yards from the tee. A long hitter like you should easily get over it.

Golfer B: No, I don’t think so. I’ll hit it sideways.

Golfer A: Are you going to lay up short of the pond?

Golfer B: Yes, I’m going to play percentage golf.

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyeong, golf columnist