Drive for Show and Putt for Dough?

For years, golfers have heard the popular saying "drive for show, putt for dough," which suggests that putting is the most important aspect of the game. However, this saying is not entirely accurate, and the top players in the world differentiate themselves from the field through superior approach play and driving, not putting. Here are a few reasons why the saying is not true.

1. Driving and approach play set up scoring opportunities.

While putting is certainly important, it's only part of the equation when it comes to scoring. The best players in the world know that driving the ball long and straight, and hitting approach shots close to the pin, are the keys to setting up birdie opportunities. If a player is constantly struggling to reach the green in regulation, they'll have to rely heavily on their putting to save par, which is not a recipe for consistent success.

2. The top players in the world excel in driving and approach play.

When you look at the top players in the world, it's clear that driving and approach play are critical to their success. Players like Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, and Justin Thomas all rank highly in driving distance and accuracy, as well as greens in regulation and strokes gained approach play. These skills allow them to hit more scoring opportunities, which in turn leads to more birdies and fewer bogeys.

3. Putting is highly variable and unpredictable.

Putting is often referred to as the "great equalizer" in golf because it's the one aspect of the game where anyone can have a hot day and make a lot of putts. However, putting is also highly variable and unpredictable. Even the best putters in the world have days where they struggle to make putts, and a hot putter can quickly turn cold. This unpredictability makes it difficult to rely solely on putting to win tournaments.

In conclusion, the saying "drive for show, putt for dough" is not entirely true. While putting is certainly important, the top players in the world differentiate themselves from the field through superior driving and approach play, which set up scoring opportunities and lead to more birdies. While putting can certainly help save par and make the occasional birdie, it's not the key to consistent success in the game of golf.