Gatekeeper Resolutions Day 14: Save Strokes By Laying up!
Day 14! This is going to be a very slow, cerebral change of pace. Laying up is one of the least exciting, but most necessary ways to manage a course and save strokes. Go find some dangerous greens, especially with slopes, rocks, or an elevated basket. From various places all around the basket, we’re going to practice laying up safely and close.
First, assess the green, your lie, and wind and other conditions. Could you run this putt? What are the chances that you make it? What does the decision tree (make, miss but make on the next shot, or miss at least twice) look like? Figure out what play for this situation will result in the best outcome in the long run.
How close do you need the next putt to be to guarantee that you’ll make it? [Find a green that’s good on one side but REALLY dangerous starting on the other side of the basket] If 10 feet is as good as 2 feet, then you have a much bigger cushion in your acceptable layup zone.
Now commit to that play. Since I already spoiled that this is a layup day, we’re going to lay up. Figure out where on the green you want to finish the disc. Where do you need to land in order to do that? What action–spin, speed, angle–do you need to have on the disc at that point? There’s nothing worse than choosing a safe play but messing it up, so be thorough in your assessment.
Great. Now go through your full routine and throw the layup. Repeat this 50 times with a full reset from each one. I recommend moving around the green so you face uphill, downhill, and sidehill lies.
The entire purpose of this drill, and the way to “win” the game, is to be deliberate and disciplined in executing the layup perfectly.
Written By Andrew Fish, PDGA 58320
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