Fun : Endgame : Chess :: Putting : Golf?

Here's a fun one based on something I heard at a local club.

In terms of analogies => Is Putting to Golf the same as the Endgame is to Chess?

Agree / Disagree ?

Disagree. In golf, you don't have to worry about your opponent hitting your ball into the pond.

I've a few "agree" points.

- In both games, if you can't make the kill shot in the middle-game, it is accurate to try to set yourself to have a nice putt/end-game to finish.

- Poor endgame/putting skills completely runs to the ground all the hard work you put in with the opening/middle-game.

- A mistake in the endgame/putting will usually turn the game around. (below par to par, par to above par etc.)

- In both games, if you're ridiculously FAR ahead, then you can get away with a sloppy endgame / putting.

- Vice-versa => if it is dead even, a bad putt/end-game move can make all the difference.

Disagree.

'Endgame' is a fuzzy term with some debate over the grey area when you are supposed to be entering it. Golfers don't disagree about whether they're actually putting or not!

..........no comparison..............

 Well, there IS an area on the course known as the "fringe" where you have to make a judgement call...

 Chip-in!

Haha, awesome response.

Presumably a hole-in-one at a par 3 would be your 'Immortal' game :)

I like the analogy. Extending it, that would make the opening like driving. Sometimes, you grip it and rip it, going for the perfect drive. Sometimes, it is more prudent to play conservatively, and lay it up with a fairway wood.

And the middlegame is like the short game. You are trying to either get the kill shot (chip in) or set yourself up for the easiest endgame (putt) possible.

Putting is more important in golf than the endgame is in chess.

I think the discussion at your local club has stemmed from something Cecil Purdy once said:

"Pawn endings are to chess what putting is to golf."

Evidentally, the person who brought this up at your club forgot the 'pawn' bit.

Thanks Nytik. I would actually "agree" more with the Pawn Endings comparison than any other form of ending.

 *tee shot* Wow, that went far... wanna just say I get a 3? ... sure! Hole in 3!

If by that he meant both skills are basic to their respective games and one had better have some proficiency if one hopes to play well, then ... yes, I'd agree. If, on the other hand, he meant that there was some similarity in the execution of those skills, I'd say, "Whadduhya, nuts?"