Course management

[THE_POWER_1978]

Hi
I was wondering if anyone had ever found a way of cutting their scores by using a specific course management strategy alone? I like alot of people usually just reach for the driver without thinking which is one of my major faults. Just interested to hear if anyone had any tips?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Play every shot on its merit

 

[pokerjoke]

There are loads of course management tips i will give you mine,when pitching always try and leave the ball below the hole[if the hole is on o slope]as an uphill putt is much safer than a fast down hiller.

 

[HRC99]

One fairly well documented way is to play the course backwards. Work out where you'd like to hit your approach to the green from and so on back from there.

 

[bigbiffa]

yep, always play the percentage shot. the safe option is usually the right one!

 

[Swinger]

Keep the ball in bounds and out of the trees.

 

[John_Findlay]

I once played a round immediately after reading "Zen Golf" which basically says you should play your round without any doubt in your in mind over the ball. Play conservatively but swing aggressively. Blow me if it didn't work...until I raked up an 8 taking 4 out of a bunker. That 76 off the medals at Craigielaw is still my best medal round there. There's a lot to be said for that strategy methinks. Must try it again. Doh.

 

[Smiffy]

I played on Sunday at Edenbridge. Three par 5's on the front 9. I hit cracking drives down two of them (the first one I collared the drive OK but the ball hit a rake and bounced into a bunker so we'll forget about that one... ).
I was sitting pretty on both fairways, decent length out there and par should have been a formality on both of them. I walked off with a 7 on each one.
Bad course strategy. Instead of just knocking a hybrid or 5 iron or something down the fairway for my second shot I pulled out my woods and went for distance. In both instances, my third shots were now chips sideways out of trees. 4th shot miss the green, chip on and two putt. Classic double bogies and one point off of each hole instead of three. Makes a difference that does. Could of kicked myself afterwards, but at the time it felt like the right thing to do.
Knob

 

[AndrewG]

Play the shot you know you can play, not the shot you hope you can play....

 

[Region3]

I played on Sunday at Edenbridge. Three par 5's on the front 9. I hit cracking drives down two of them (the first one I collared the drive OK but the ball hit a rake and bounced into a bunker so we'll forget about that one... ).
I was sitting pretty on both fairways, decent length out there and par should have been a formality on both of them. I walked off with a 7 on each one.
Bad course strategy. Instead of just knocking a hybrid or 5 iron or something down the fairway for my second shot I pulled out my woods and went for distance. In both instances, my third shots were now chips sideways out of trees. 4th shot miss the green, chip on and two putt. Classic double bogies and one point off of each hole instead of three. Makes a difference that does. Could of kicked myself afterwards, but at the time it felt like the right thing to do.
Knob

Don't want to be overly pedantic, but you can't say 1pt instead of 3 when you only 'wasted' one shot out of trees.
If you miss the green with your third after knocking a 5 iron down the fairway you're not necessarily going to make par..

 

[Smiffy]

Don't want to be overly pedantic, but you can't say 1pt instead of 3 when you only 'wasted' one shot out of trees.
If you miss the green with your third after knocking a 5 iron down the fairway you're not necessarily going to make par..

Errrr.....had I hit a hybrid or a 5 iron down the fairway I would have only left myself an 8 iron or so into the green. I would feel "fairly" confident of hitting the green with an easy 8 iron shot.
The result of my two duffed wood shots (big duck hooks into trees) left me chipping out sideways with maybe a 6 iron still to play, in one instance a 5 iron!
So I'll stand by my original comments (but get what you mean)

 

[bobmac]

I would feel "fairly" confident of hitting the green with an easy 8 iron shot.

 

[Smiffy]

I would feel "fairly" confident of hitting the green with an easy 8 iron shot.

I did use the words "fairly confident" and "easy".....
Obviously a full blooded 185 yards with an 8 iron would be a different matter


Oh! And I didn't mention which green either

 

[bobmac]

I would feel "fairly" confident of hitting the green with an easy 8 iron shot.

I did use the words "fairly confident" and "easy".....
Obviously a full blooded 185 yards with an 8 iron would be a different matter

Sorry, couldn't resist it

 

[Smiffy]

I would feel "fairly" confident of hitting the green with an easy 8 iron shot.

I did use the words "fairly confident" and "easy".....
Obviously a full blooded 185 yards with an 8 iron would be a different matter

Sorry, couldn't resist it

That's OK Bob. I don't mind!

Now talk us through how a PGA Pro would play the 18th at Beau Desert using course management

 

[bobmac]

Now talk us through how a PGA Pro would play the 18th at Beau Desert using course management

Well, it all started with a perfect drive over the marker pole which ended up in the trees left.

The rest of the hole was played to let the spectators see what they normally do.
Had it been a PGA event, I would of play out sideways , 5 iron on the green and a 1 putt birdie. Honest, Stop laughing.
The real reason was I was 1 over and trying to get it back to level or 1 under. And I was on holiday.

How did you get your 7?

 

[Smiffy]

How did you get your 7?

On the last at Beau?
Solid 6 I think Bob.
Solid 6.
Nice drive, good 2nd, chunked 3rd, chip and two putts

 

[bobmac]

How did you get your 7?

On the last at Beau?
Solid 6 I think Bob.
Solid 6.
Nice drive, good 2nd, chunked 3rd, chip and two putts

Smart ar*e
Shouldn't you be at work?

 

[Region3]

Don't want to be overly pedantic, but you can't say 1pt instead of 3 when you only 'wasted' one shot out of trees.
If you miss the green with your third after knocking a 5 iron down the fairway you're not necessarily going to make par..

Errrr.....had I hit a hybrid or a 5 iron down the fairway I would have only left myself an 8 iron or so into the green. I would feel "fairly" confident of hitting the green with an easy 8 iron shot.
The result of my two duffed wood shots (big duck hooks into trees) left me chipping out sideways with maybe a 6 iron still to play, in one instance a 5 iron!
So I'll stand by my original comments (but get what you mean)

Sorry, I'd assumed you nailed a 3 wood 230 but slightly off line

 

[Region3]

I know what you mean though Smiffy.

The first par 5 where I play is just over 520yds. I've only ever been far enough in 2 once, in the summer. Now we have less roll I've no chance. About 80yds short right of the green is OOB.

So, standing in the fairway 270yds from the green on a left-to-right sloping lie, do I hit the 3-wood which goes 240 if I hit the best shot of my life but tends to slice when it goes wrong, or do I hit a 3 or 4 iron down the fairway and leave a nice wedge on?

I don't think anyone needs more than 1 guess

The thing is, it sounds so easy to play it safe with irons off the tee and playing to the middle of greens, but to me, when I'm standing there with the decision to make, it just seems more enjoyable to take the risk and boring to play safe.
Sometimes I manage to talk myself into the right shot, but not often enough.

Yes, I know what that makes me.