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Why Distance Control Matters More Than Direction on Approach Shots

Photo by Lo Sarno on Unsplash Statistical analysis of amateur golf performance consistently reveals a counterintuitive finding: distance control errors on approach shots cost recreational golfers more strokes than directional errors, even though most golfers practice and worry about direction far more. The Statistical Pattern Shot-tracking data from systems used across recreational and competitive golf shows that amateur golfers are typically far more likely to miss an approach shot short or long of their intended distance than they are to miss significantly left or right of their intended line. A shot that's 15 yards short or long frequently finds trouble — a bunker, water, or simply a much longer subsequent putt — in a way that a shot 10 yards left or right of the pin, but still on the green, does not. Why This Happens Directional misses are usually caused by face-to-path errors, covered in our ball flight laws article , which tend to be relatively consistent for an individual g...

Erin Hills: Wisconsin's US Open Venue and Complete Course Guide

gold field
Photo by Sly Dizzle on Unsplash

Erin Hills hosted the 2017 US Open. Here is the complete guide.

The Course

Hurdzan/Fry/Whitten design (2006), par 72 at 7,700+ yards using Kettle Moraine glaciated terrain.

The 2017 US Open

Brooks Koepka won at 16 under par in calm conditions, launching his run of US Open dominance.

Playing Erin Hills

Public course, $100-$250, roughly 30 miles from Milwaukee — one of the most accessible US Open venues in America relative to quality.

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