There is always a debate about what's the most important stroke in golf -- the drive, short-game, long approaches, putting. It's all important, of course, but for every stroke, there are two elements to be controlled, distance and direction.
The truth is simply that control is purchased by giving up power. If I hit an 8-iron as hard as I can, I might be able to get 150 yards out of it, on a dry, windless day, level ground. If I take a controlled stroke, making sure the face is perpendicular to the path, and hit a high cut, the ball will stop about 100 yards away. So I know that my controlled distance is between 2/3rds and 3/4ths of my maximum.
Same thing with the driver; I might get about 270 from a well-struck drive at full throttle; but on a narrow fairway, a nice little 200-yard shot will make my day.
Now, if that narrow fairway has water on the left and trees on the right, and slopes to the left, a stronger golfer would just rear back and fly the trouble to a wider landing area beyond the narrow point. I admit, I've given in to that temptation, but I know the outcome, and it's not pretty. Would I like to have 50 more yards? Of course! I'm not a fool; but the one time in 10 I can pull it off simply isn't worth it, in terms of my scoring.
I've already gone past where I wanted to go with this, so I'll give out the Wisdom of the Ages: If you're very lucky, you'll live as long as I have, and you will become weaker, unable to get the distance you have now.
If you're past the age of 27 (like Tiger and Phil) you're already weaker and less flexible than you were at 27, and the process is on its way. You'd better learn how to hit to spots, under control, or when you get to be my age, you won't be able to compete with the likes of me.
And you won't enjoy it.
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