Course Management Across Handicap Spectrum

[garyinderry]

I am more talking about guys that try to play out sideways from a very bad lie and they feel they have to batter it out and end up shooting across to the other trouble. Line they wanted but just far too far and stupid things like that. Playing safe can often be not thought through.

Going back to identifying the risk, if a high handicapper hits a 5 iron well and he is in trouble but can get a 5 iron to it why not go for it? Bad shot is probably a thin which would put him around the green for example.

The course management here would be to look at what is around you and the green to determine laying up because of the lie.

Knocking it from one side of trouble to another is poor technique. Agreed picking a line out and over hitting it or catching a tree and not getting out is criminal and poor CM.

A high handicap most times does not need to take on that risky 5 iron shot. The definition of trouble here plays a big part. If he has to move it around trees then he probably shouldn't and mostly likely cant. If its semi rough then it may well be fine to have a pop. If he gets it near the green he might well fiend himself in a bunker. High men usually leak shots here.

It changes from person to person but the thing high men have is shots. They don't actually need to take on risky shots. Due to their ability the risk of them pulling of the shot is low. lower guys don't have as many shots to play with but have enough where they can avoid taking risky shots on until they absolutely need to.

 

[guest100718]

I don't think course management is that relevant for a very high handicapper. Sure dont compound mistakes by trying the hero shot when it really isnt on will help.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Interesting reading here gents. CM ia big part of my game. With not being the longest off of the i leave myself a lot of big conundrums with second shots. One piece of advice i would give is... if you're playing a lay up or safety shot per se you need to 100% commit to that as much as you would a tee shot or shot into a green. My downfall in the past isn't knowing my limitations it's making sure i commit properly to "the sensible shot" and too often have put myself in more trouble.

I think Tommy Armour's words of wisdom would certainly help your thinking around your second shot. But I am biased as I find his WoW work great for me.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I don't think course management is that relevant for a very high handicapper. Sure dont compound mistakes by trying the hero shot when it really isnt on will help.

Eh? In many ways I'd say CM is even more relevant for the higher handicapper - often poor CM is precisely why a player has a higher handicap.

 

[Tongo]

1 - Course management is about playing the course properly, don't just hit what or where you think you're supposed to hit, hit what best suits the hole to you and your game and play so as not to score too badly.
2 - Decide what risk you are willing to take on and what misfortunes you are willing to accept and play accordingly
3 - Same advice - play your game not the course's and not anyone else's, and follow advice per answers 1 & 2.

Can't argue with any of that.

 

[Tongo]

Arguably the best example of course management I can remember was Tiger at Hoylake in 2006. Worked out where the trouble, i.e. the bunkers, were, where he wanted to be in the fairway and hit the appropriate iron off of the tee accordingly to get him to that point I the fairway. Brilliantly thought out and wasn't the least bit interested in hitting driver off of every tee.

 

[Big-Dog]

Makes sense to think your way round and I have an example of this in bad weather, rain and a bit of wind. I played at a course and my partner is an x pro now of 2hcap playing once a week if he is lucky. The steady rain started with a bit of wind. I pulled out a 6 iron and he asked me what I had I said all the trouble at the front normally a 7 iron 1 more because of the wind he said what about the rain hit 5 and just put a steady swing on it result :- 8 ft behind the hole finished off by canning it for a birdie. On this day he saved me I would suggest 2-3 shots and we managed to pick up a lovely prize as well.

Do the shot that makes the next shot easy, some great advice on the thread.

Hit em straight ....ish

 

[woody69]

Course management can obviously help for some high handicappers, but a lot of the time, no amount of course management is going to help. Example, played a par 5. Driver off the tee as nice and open. Fairly good drive ending up just on the right hand side of the fairway. 2nd shot is a 7 iron over a long bunker up towards a pond about 240 yards away. Don't catch the 7 iron particularly well and it ends up still requiring a 130 yard carry over the water plus another 70 yards to the green. Course management kicks in and you think, don't get the 3 wood out and go for the hero shot, so out comes the wedge, knock it up to the water. 120 odd yards to the green now with the 4th shot and you miss the narrow green to the right. Try to chip on and it's a bit of a mishit and you're far away from the hole but on the green. Manage a 2 putt, but even playing fairly good from a "course management" perspective you're still walking off with a double 7.

Whilst CM is important being able to execute the shot is what holds back high handicappers more. The amount of times I have "played safe" for course management and ended up chunking it into rubbish or making little progress is frustrating.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Course management can obviously help for some high handicappers, but a lot of the time, no amount of course management is going to help. Example, played a par 5. Driver off the tee as nice and open. Fairly good drive ending up just on the right hand side of the fairway. 2nd shot is a 7 iron over a long bunker up towards a pond about 240 yards away. Don't catch the 7 iron particularly well and it ends up still requiring a 130 yard carry over the water plus another 70 yards to the green. Course management kicks in and you think, don't get the 3 wood out and go for the hero shot, so out comes the wedge, knock it up to the water. 120 odd yards to the green now with the 4th shot and you miss the narrow green to the right. Try to chip on and it's a bit of a mishit and you're far away from the hole but on the green. Manage a 2 putt, but even playing fairly good from a "course management" perspective you're still walking off with a double 7.

Whilst CM is important being able to execute the shot is what holds back high handicappers more. The amount of times I have "played safe" for course management and ended up chunking it into rubbish or making little progress is frustrating.

But what you haven't done in your example is stick it in the fairway bunker and take three to get out - then plonk it in the water. You've missed the narrow green - but not by much so your mishit chip on doesn't require you to clear anything or much clubhead speed - so you haven't thinned it way over the green into rough, a greenside bunker or back into the water.

Your double bogey 7 is not that bad considering you didn't actually play any 'good' shots and played a couple of 'not so goods' Sounds like a hole where a 9+ is quite possible for the higher handicapper (who'd likely get a shot on it in any case) - but you played it conservatively but not very well - so a 7 (for a net 6) is fair - no disaster.

CM is risk reduction - with no guarantee of getting a par - that not being the primary objective of CM IMO.

 

[jamielaing]

Course management can obviously help for some high handicappers, but a lot of the time, no amount of course management is going to help. Example, played a par 5. Driver off the tee as nice and open. Fairly good drive ending up just on the right hand side of the fairway. 2nd shot is a 7 iron over a long bunker up towards a pond about 240 yards away. Don't catch the 7 iron particularly well and it ends up still requiring a 130 yard carry over the water plus another 70 yards to the green. Course management kicks in and you think, don't get the 3 wood out and go for the hero shot, so out comes the wedge, knock it up to the water. 120 odd yards to the green now with the 4th shot and you miss the narrow green to the right. Try to chip on and it's a bit of a mishit and you're far away from the hole but on the green. Manage a 2 putt, but even playing fairly good from a "course management" perspective you're still walking off with a double 7.

Whilst CM is important being able to execute the shot is what holds back high handicappers more. The amount of times I have "played safe" for course management and ended up chunking it into rubbish or making little progress is frustrating.

What is the stroke index and your handicap though? If this is a hole where you get 1 or maybe 2 shots you are only a net bogey or a net par.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

What is the stroke index and your handicap though? If this is a hole where you get 1 or maybe 2 shots you are only a net bogey or a net par.

You read my unposted post

 

[jamielaing]

You read my unposted post

Great minds and all that!

 

[garyinderry]

My earlier post on making decent contact remains true. Until you can do this no amount of cm will result in you not being a high handicap. Once this consistency of strike is addressed, cm can help you drop a massive amount of shots in little time.

At the minute, until this is achieved all it does it attempt to minimise the damage.


As pointed out a 7 is not bad. If you look at the stats of a high handicap over the season the 7 is probably not far off a good average score for the hole if you count all the cricket scores.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

My earlier post on making decent contact remains true. Until you can do this no amount of cm will result in you not being a high handicap. Once this consistency of strike is addressed, cm can help you drop a massive amount of shots in little time.

At the minute, until this is achieved all it does it attempt to minimise the damage.


As pointed out a 7 is not bad. If you look at the stats of a high handicap over the season the 7 is probably not far off a good average score for the hole if you count all the cricket scores.

This is absolutely in line with TAs 1st principle (from my earlier post)

Play the shot you've got the greatest chance of playing well

 

[MadAdey]

Interested in the forum's perception of this important aspect of the game.

1. What is 'course management'?

2. What tips would you give?

3. Would your advice differ between those who score in the 70s, 80s and 90+?

1. The ability to play the right shot, not the shot you would like to play.

2. When there is trouble ahead of me, or I'm out of position I imagine 2 different shots. I then look at the risk and reward factor and choose the shot that is less likely to get me in trouble.

3. High handicappers need to learn how to keep the ball in play and not try to get to every green in regulation. Every chip doesn't need a lob wedge.
Mid handicappers learn to hit the fairway regulary, even if it means leaving a longer approach.
Low handicappers already have course management or they wouldn't have a low handicap.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

1) Course management is playing the right shot at the right time
2) If you get into trouble, get out of it 1st time, even if you have to play backwards
3) No

 

[HawkeyeMS]

What is the stroke index and your handicap though? If this is a hole where you get 1 or maybe 2 shots you are only a net bogey or a net par.

SI is irrelevant in my opinion and I honestly believe many players would benefit from not knowing them. Golf is about getting the ball in the hole in as few shots as you can. It doesn't matter if you double bogey SI 18, or birdie SI1, it's 18 holes worth of individual shots. too many people think they have to score well on SI 18 or can afford to drop a shot or 2 on SI1, it's all nonsense.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Interested in the forum's perception of this important aspect of the game.

1. What is 'course management'? Playing every shot on it's merits and making sure you don't consolidate a bad shot with another

2. What tips would you give? None. I'm 12 for a reason

3. Would your advice differ between those who score in the 70s, 80s and 90+? N/A - see 2

 

[ScienceBoy]

Play to your limitations

If I could modify this I would say play WITHIN your limitations.

I built that into my game plan, three goals method.

Layups are kep to a good score 9/10 short in the fairway is easier to get up and down from than pin high and in the rough.

 

[guest100718]

Eh? In many ways I'd say CM is even more relevant for the higher handicapper - often poor CM is precisely why a player has a higher handicap.

nope, no amount of CM will help someone who cant get the ball off the tee with some sort of distance and accuracy.