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GolfRx: Lowering Your Score With Better Course Management

I find that many of my students’ golf swing and ability to hit the ball is better than the scores they shoot. The way I see them hit the ball during lessons, I can imagine them scoring several shots lower than they actually do. Sure most players find that they hit better shots on the range than on the golf course, but you can learn to save strokes with better decision making on the course.

Course management starts before you even get to the first tee shot. All players have to know their game. This means: know the distance you hit the ball with each club, take into consideration clubs you may be struggling with as well as those that are your favorite; know the type of lies that you are able to hit from; and take into consideration that your game goes through peaks and valleys.

If you have not been playing very often, your game will not be the same as when you’re practicing and playing on a regular basis. The conditions of the course as well as the weather may play a role. Don’t forget the way your body feels, we know every day we wake up is a different feeling. Not feeling great, with a sore back, probably is not the day to try and hit a career shot over a hazard.

Even the tee that you choose to play from can be considered course management. Golf is a game, make it fun. Don’t beat yourself up playing from the back tees. Play the tees that fit your game and how far you hit the ball. It’s no fun to have to hit fairway woods into every green.

It is also important to have a game plan with your swing. You might have found a thought that has helped you on the practice tee that is what you should take to the course. Maybe your focus is on staying relaxed throughout your swing. Whatever you’re thought, stick with it. Too many players turn their first bad shot into several. Better players know they eventually will hit a bad shot. Chalk it up to the law of averages. Don’t try harder or try to figure out what you did wrong and try and correct it on the next one. That is only putting extra thoughts in your head that usually makes thing worse. If you know your swing well enough you should be capable of making adjustments on the course but only after the first bad shot turns into a pattern of bad shots.

THE FIRST TEE

Should you use your driver on the first tee? That may depend on many factors. Did you have time to hit balls before the round? The length and shape of the hole may be a factor. How you are hitting your driver? With all shot decisions it comes down to risk and reward. If the hole is wide open hit the driver. If hazards are on both sides of the hole and you’re not feeling confident with your driver, hit a club that you can keep in play. You’re better off finding your ball and having a shot to the green instead of chipping out from the trees or taking a penalty stroke. As with all decisions out there, play your game. Don’t hit your driver just because the rest of your group is hitting one. Good players are not worried what others think of them. Keep in mind, there is no rule in the rulebook telling you what club you have to hit.

Other considerations when on the tee:

• Find a level spot on the tee box to hit from
• Tee up on the side of the tee that gives you the best angle to your target and away from trouble
• Tee up on the side of the tee where the trouble is
• Always use a tee even if you use an iron from the tee box

FAIRWAY SHOTS

Whether your approach shot is to the green, or short of the green, have a specific target and game plan. If your shot is to the green with the pin tucked behind a bunker, or carry over water, ask yourself if you have the shot in your bag to fly the bunker and keep it on the green? That will have to do with the length and club you would need to get the ball to the green.

Playing away from the bunker might be the best shot to play. If the ball lands short it has a chance to run on to the green or will leave you with a chip shot. If you go for the pin and land short you’re in the bunker, if you’re a great bunker player that’s okay, if you’re not, you’re better off with the chip.

KNOW YOUR LIE

Hitting from the rough or from a slope limits the type of shot that you will be capable of hitting. Every level player is different and that is why it is important to know your game. You are better off hitting a clean shot from a bad lie than to risk hitting a shot that may easily turn into a wasted stroke.

When hitting over a hazard or trying to hit to a par five in two, keep in mind the risk vs. reward. For example, if hitting over a hazard only means hitting an 8 iron vs. a 7 iron there is not much of a reward for the risk. If hitting over the hazard means having a wedge going in vs. a 5 iron that is a risk to take. As far as hitting to a par five in two, consider your next shot. Do you want a short pitch shot over a bunker or a full shot to the green? Usually a full shot is an easier shot to play. That might not be the case for you. If your short pitch shots are the best part of your game, then going for it would be the shot for you. If your 100-yard full shot is the best part of your game, lying up to the 100-yard marker would be the smart play.

Other considerations:

• Whether a full shot or short shot around the green, play your shot to the part of the green that gives you an uphill putt.
• Use an extra club if it helps you stay relaxed and keep good rhythm.
• Visualize the shot before you hit the ball.
• Play in the present; Forget about the past. You can’t change it, only learn from it.
• Never count up your score before the round is over. It never fails when a player knows what they need to score on the last two holes to have their lowest score ever it just does not happen.
• Use a consistent pre-shot routine.
• Try to stay positive throughout the round

Keep in mind golf is an individual game. Know your strengths and weaknesses and play your game. You have a better chance of playing to your potential by playing your game and not someone else’s.