Everything GolfStar: Simplified Targeting System

The approach and putting are the keys to scoring well in Golfstar. I limped along for quite a while without any method and would be puzzled as to why the ball went somewhere I didn't expect. When I started using the Adzias Targeting System, I found that far fewer approach shots went way off the mark. Those severe downhill par threes are now a LOT easier.

This is a simplified version of that system. It is probably not as accurate but may appeal to the beginner/intermediate, as it is a bit easier to calculate. If you want to try this, you should read the original to get more of a flavor for the how/why of the adjustments. Use this afterwards as a quick reference.

I changed the original Adzias order to be “clew”. Since I want to “get a clue” to my approach shots, this is easier for me to remember. More importantly, I find that if I don’t pick the shot type (backspin, high, draw, etc.) first, the pointer will jump and I will have to start over. (Adzias acknowledges this and says to just move the pointer back to where it was, but I find having to do this upsets my pre-shot routine.) Choosing that first will make it simpler to go through the steps quickly.

1. Club/Shot Type (the amount of forward roll after the ball lands)

2. Lie

3. Elevation

4. Wind strength and direction

For me, the most useful adjustments are Lie and Wind, followed by Elevation. The Club (Forward Roll) depends a lot on the slope of the landing area and the angle of the ball when it lands, so I use those numbers as a loose guideline and not a precise number of yards.

(Actually, I do the Forward Roll adjustment after all the others, rather than at the beginning. The Shot Type is always what I pick first. So my actual acronym is SLEWC.)

With that, here is the system overview.

Club - Forward Roll Adjustments

Normal shot

1 wood (w) -       12-14
3w -                      8-10
5w -                      6-8
3i -                        5-6
4i -                        5-6
5i -                        4-5
6i -                        4-5
7i -                        3-4
8i -                        3-4
9i -                        3-4
pw -                      2-3
aw -                      1-2
sw -                       1

Backspin shot

7i -         3-4
8i -         3-4
9i -         2-3 (note, I often use 4 dots for the 9i to position the ball in front of the hole)

Lie

Left/Right lie:

- For shots between 100 to 180 yards - move the target pointer in the opposite direction the same number of dots. Say, if the sideways lie is L4, take the pointer and move it to the right 4 dots.

- For shots under 100 yards - move the pointer around half the number. So, if the lie is L4, move the pointer to the right 2 dots.

- For shots over 180 yards - add 2-3 more dots.

- If the shot is 200 or longer, you may have to add 4-5 dots. This will be based on experience.

Up/Down lie:

- For every degree downward, move the pointer back 1 dot.

- For every degree upward, move the pointer forward 1 dot.

[Note: I find the L/R adjustment more useful than the U/D. This may change as I get more accustomed to the system. EXCEPTION – on bunker shots, if the Up is maxed out, you MUST add quite a bit, or it will only pop straight up and not go as near the hole as you expect.]

Elevation

Uphill elevation: Take the number of feet and divide by 3. This will convert the number of feet the game provides you into yards. Move the pointer forward from the flag that number of dots.

Downhill elevation: Take the number of feet and divide by 3. Round that number up or down if necessary. Move the pointer backward from the flag that number of dots. [Adzias uses 3.75 here. My simplified version uses 3 as the divisor for both, so I can do it in my head.]

Wind Adjustments

Example 1