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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...

Merion Golf Club: The US Open's Most Historic Venue

green grass field near green trees and mountains under blue sky during daytime
Photo by craig hellier on Unsplash

Merion is American golf's most historic US Open venue. Here is the complete guide.

The Course

Hugh Wilson's 1912 design, par 70 at 6,996 yards, using white wicker baskets instead of flags.

Bobby Jones's Grand Slam (1930)

Jones completed the impregnable Grand Slam at Merion, winning the US Amateur to sweep all four majors of his era in one calendar year, then retired at 28.

Ben Hogan's Return (1950)

Hogan won just 16 months after a near-fatal car accident, producing the most famous golf photograph ever taken — his 1-iron approach to the 72nd green.

Can You Play It

Very limited Monday visitor access around $225, requiring advance arrangement.

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