Happy Monday,

This week we talk about course management – we will look at what low handicap golfers do to help them score better, what it means for your golf game and how to take actionable steps towards improving your score.

We also have the usual tip of the week and a quick video on ...

Enjoy.

Mastering Course Management to Lower Your Scores 

Why Course Management Matters

Often golfers focus solely on improving their swing mechanics or putting stroke, but mastering course management can often be the difference between a good round and a great one. Course management involves making smart decisions that play to your strengths and minimise your weaknesses, helping you navigate the course more effectively.

Assess Your Game

Before diving into specific strategies, it's essential to understand your game. Take note of your strengths and weaknesses. Are you more accurate with your short irons? What shot shape do you usually hit? Knowing these aspects will help you make better decisions on the course.

Tee Shot Strategy

1. Play to Your Strengths: Choose clubs that give you the highest chance of hitting the fairway. If you are more accurate with a 3-wood than a driver, consider using it more often off the tee.

2. Positioning Over Distance: Focus on placing your ball in a position that sets up the easiest approach shot, even if it means sacrificing a bit of distance - the easiest approach shot may look different for different people. One example could be if you’re struggling to hit your wedges at the moment, but you feel more confident hitting full shots with mid irons. Therefore, you should play to leave yourself 140 yards in, instead of 100 yards with an uncomfortable wedge

3. Avoid hazards: Aim for wider parts of the fairway and avoid hazards at all costs.

Approach Shots

1. Know Your Yardages: Accurate distance control is crucial. Spend time on the range learning how far you hit each club and trust these distances during your round.

2. Aim for the Middle of the Green: When in doubt, aiming for the centre of the green is often the safest bet. This strategy reduces the risk of missing greens and landing in tough spots.

Shot Scope data shows us that the higher percentage of greens in regulation hit, the lower your handicap. Thus, getting the ball on the green, anywhere, in theory, should prove beneficial to reducing your handicap.

3. Club Up: Consider taking an extra club on approach shots, especially if there is trouble short of the green. Hitting a controlled, three-quarter swing can be more accurate than trying to max out a shorter club.

This table shows where the average golfer hits an approach shot to, from between 150-210 yards.

Playing Smart

1. Know When to Lay Up: Sometimes, going for the green in two on a par-5 or attacking a tucked pin on a par-4 isn't the best play. Laying up to a comfortable distance can set you up for a better chance at making par or birdie.

2. Play the Percentages: Trying to pull off low-percentage shots can lead to big numbers. When chipping and pitching, choose shots that have the highest chance of success. For example, a simple bump-and-run will be a lot less risky than a high flop shot, and ensures you are on the putting surface in with a chance of getting up and down, rather than chipping again from off the back of the green. The same goes when trying to play through a tiny gap when you’re in the woods, the likelihood is that it’s going to go wrong, so play within your capabilities and focus on making smart, conservative plays, keeping the big numbers off the scorecard. 

Course Knowledge

1. Study the Course: Familiarise yourself with the layout, including hazards, green complexes, and common wind directions. Knowing the course can help you make better decisions.

2. Use a GPS app or watch: A GPS device can provide crucial information about distances and hazards. Use these tools to plan your shots effectively.

Mental Game

1. Stay Patient: Golf is a game of patience. Accept that mistakes will happen and focus on the next shot, rather than dwelling on the past.

2. Have a Pre-Shot Routine: Develop a consistent pre-shot routine to help you stay focused and calm under pressure.

I am aware there’s a lot of advice here, but incorporating even a couple of these course management strategies into your game means you will make smarter decisions that will lead to lower scores and more enjoyable rounds of golf.

Happy golfing!

Jacob @ Golf Insider

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